Mr. Mac

From NC Wildlife 2008-2009 Regs CANADA GOOSE HUNT ZONES The state is divided into Canada goose hunt zones. See the map on page 50 for zone descriptions. For the hunt dates that apply in each zone, please call (800) 675-0263. A special permit is needed to harvest Canada geese in the Northeast Hunt Zone. See the Permit Hunting Opportunities publication to apply. Every hunter receiving a Northeast Hunt Zone goose permit will also receive a questionnaire. If the hunter does not return that completed questionnaire to theWildlife Resources Commission by April 1, that hunter will be ineligible for a Northeast Hunt Zone goose permit the following season. As with other migratory game birds, it is unlawful to hunt or possess Canada geese without having HIP certification as well as other applicable state and federal licenses and stamps in your possession. Here are the dates and locations.

One final note, if you haven't already decided to do so, get a couple of different makes of shotgun rounds for what you want to hunt and head to the patterning board and find out what your shotgun likes best (best pattern)!

If it's versatiliy one wants then you have to own a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum (2.75 - 3.5") solely for the fact that there are more aftermarket parts/accessories for it than any other shotgun out there!

First, welcome to the forum! Second, you're talking about a $1,000 difference between the two shotguns! The Stoeger can be had with the steady grip stock Model 2000 Steady Grip) for an additional $70 and the Benelli goes for an MSRP of $1,760. As for the 3.5" rounds, the only reason I can tell to own a shotgun with that capacity is for waterfowl and steel shot. For turkey you can find effective 2.75" rounds that'll do just fine (last year I bagged two with my Winchester 1400 chambered in 2.75" only). The real issue here is what do you want? If your budget allows for that $1,000 difference in price, then go for the Benelli all day long and twice on Sunday! The recoil reducer is needed for the Stoeger where I think it is already incorporated in the SBE II. Finally, the pistol grip versus the steady grip all comes down to what you want. There are enough arguments for both and it really will come down to personal preference. Hope that helps. Mac

First, Novaking is correct in that a good 20 load can do everything a 12 can (using same shot size and weight) for pheasant. As far as barrel length is concerned, again, if your only purpose is quail and pheasant then a 24" will be fine. Put the right ammo and choke combination and you can do a lot with a 20 gauge! You have to be comfortable in what you're doing otherwise what's the point, right?

Welcome, Dean! I don't think you'd be diasppointed with either of those and a 20 gauge would be just fine for most, if not all, upland game birds (remember, turkey is a game bird). I almost always carry a 20 for dove, quail and pheasant but I do have a 12 gauge when waterfowl and turkey seasons roll around. If this is going to be your only shotgun then I would strongly suggest looking at a 12 gauge otherwise, buy both, one in each gauge!

Without question, taking your new shotgun out to the range and standing in front of a patterning board is the best way to determine how your shotgun performs with different types/brands of ammo and choke tubes. Steel Shot • As a general rule when switching from lead to steel shot you would use a choke with one full degree less constriction. • If you want a full pattern with steel use a modified choke. • If you want a modified pattern with steel use an improved cylinder choke. • If you want an improved cylinder pattern with steel use a cylinder or skeet choke. • Do not use any choke tighter than modified constriction with steel shot unless the choke is specifically marked for use with steel shot. With all that said and done, your new shotgun should have been delivered with choke tubes capable of shooting steel shot. Your owners manual should have that info in it or, at the very least, the phone number to find out! Last but not least, if you haven't done so already, make sure you get your warranty registration completed before you change anything! I doubt you'll ever have any problems with your M4 short of pure abuse, but you never know! Mac

If it helps I picked up my dad's Winchester Model 12 and I did put a new Stoeger Model 2000 on layaway today bringing my total to eight!

When I flew from California to Missouri I bought a fairly inexpensive aluminum case that had large enough holes to accept the smaller Master locks. Any lock is really there to keep the honest person honest and will not stop a determined thief. As for TSA, just be sure the case is unopened for inspection and there is no ammo in that case. Any ammo must be shipped in a seperate locked case and there are restrictions on what kind and how much. All that info is available on the airline's web site. Once the case has been accepted by TSA they will allow you to lock the case before they take posession of it. Just be sure you have an ID tag and the airport destination tag affixed to the case before you depart the check station. The airlines are pretty good about handling your baggage (that includes gun cases) like a bunch of gorrilas so be sure the gun is secured inside that case and can't get to the edges and you'll be good to go.

Welcome to the forum! I know that cycling the bolt without a shell in the gun won't hurt it at all. If, however, you're concerned about it then you can always use snap caps/dummy rounds. When you pull the bolt back and it locks you should not yet see red (if I read that right) until you press the carrier control button (the one on the side that releases the bolt into battery). At that point the red dot will show (indicating the hammer is cocked) until you pull the trigger and dry fire the weapon. At that point the red dot should disappear until you manually cycle the bolt again. Hope that helps. Mac

Looks more like wonton lust! I'm right there with him!

Aha! Didn't read my post did ya?!? I included a link to the original poll which has Benelli already listed along with Remington, Charles Daly and Mossberg!

In addition to the Mossberg 500 ATV and Remington 870 ESM (from the other poll)I own, I also own; Winchester 1400 Mk II (12 ga) H&R Bay State (.410 bore) Stoeger Condor (20 ga) Stoeger Uplander Combo (12 & 20 ga) Wards Hercules (20 ga)

This will allow for more selections over the first post with the same title.

It doesn't make sense that when you're allowed up to 10 poll choices you stop at 4 and, of those 4 you only list 1 of the brands this forum is dedicated to. That said, I added another poll to give us a few more options. For this one, I have a Mossberg 500 ATV in 12 gauge and a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum also in 12 gauge.

Scottish Recipes: Roasted Grouse This recipe for roast grouse includes black pudding (you may have to omit this if it is not available) and griddled green vegetables. It comes from the kitchens of the 5-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire. Recipe Ingredients: (To serve four): 1lb 2 oz new potatoes 4 sticks celery 1 leek 2 small courgettes 12 baby asparagus tips 8 baby onions 3 tablespoon olive oil 2 oz butter 4 whole grouse [oven ready] 4 oz shallots 2 stalks of fresh thyme , chopped 1 fl oz Madeira Half pint game or beef jus (gravy) 4 slices black pudding salt and pepper to taste Preparation Method: Place the new potatoes in a pan, cover with salted water and three-quarter cook (10-12 minutes). Drain and refresh under cold water until cool. While the potatoes are cooking, wash trim and cut the celery, leek, and courgette crossways in to 2cm rounds at an angle. Leave the asparagus and onions whole. Lightly season the vegetables and brush with olive oil. Preheat a griddle pan. Slice the new potatoes lengthways into quarters and fry them with the vegetables on the griddle to create a criss-cross effect. Remove and place on oven tray to reheat later. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Heat the remaining olive oil and 1oz of the butter in a heavy based frying pan. Season the grouse and seal on all sides of the pan. Place in a roasting tray and cook in the oven for about 20 minutes. Leave to rest for approximately 5 minutes. To make the sauce, peel and finely shred the shallots. Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan, add the shallots and thyme and cover. Cook for about 2 minutes, until just transparent. Add the Madeira and the game or beef jus and bring to the boil. Strain and set aside. Grill the black pudding on both sides until cooked and crispy. Place on kitchen paper to drain for a few seconds. While the black pudding is cooking, place the vegetables back into the oven for 2 - 3 minutes to reheat. To assemble the dish, place a slice of black pudding in the centre of each plate and arrange some vegetables and potatoes around it. Place the grouse next to the black pudding. Season the sauce and spoon over.

We do have pheasants here and there is a season! Last year a little over 52,000 birds were harvested (none by me, I'm afraid to say). The big draw around here though is grouse (ruffed and blue) with over 90,000 of each harvested. Ruffed Grouse Blue Grouse

I tend to agree with using a 12 gauge over 20 gauge unless you know you're shots will be under the 100 yard mark (dense woods would certainly qualify for that) but, if you may get an opportunity of over 100 yards you'll want the extra punch of the 12 gauge. If we're talking about a smooth bore gun with rifled slugs. If we're talking about a rifled barrel then the 20 gauge will be just fine up to and beyond the 100 yard mark IMHO. Here's a good write-up for this. Mac

I like the dove too! Every year I go out to our property in Godley and shoot like a madman for both dove and quail!

I prefer smoked over ap ple wood and served with either a Jack Daniels or balamic vinegar glaze, but, that's me!

For many, many years I have gone out to the woods, the lakes, rivers and fields in search of game birds, waterfowl, deer, elk, and so on. Not once have I ever actually cared if I ever took an animal or even fired a shot. Just being out there with family and/or friends has been more than enough for me! Remember, the worst day of hunting is still better than your best day at work!

When it comes to sporting clays, by all means, a double (either O/U or SxS) is fine, but, when it comes time for the duck blind, my doubles stay home and out comes either the pump or the semi-auto. A double in a blind is a pain in the rear for everyone involved (if you're in a blind with others) be it floating, stationary or one of them nifty lay down on the ground things. Either way, having to break open my O/U in a duck blind with my two sons caused me to miss out on a couple of birds. That said, my answer would be either a semi-auto (gas or inertia) or, if you're really looking for a challenge, a pump!

If you were to have asked me this same question a few years ago I would most certainly have answered bead. Now, at 50 years old I have to say that the fiber optic sights make it so much easier to get on target and keep my misses to a minimum.

I like to use my 20 gauge for upland game birds (except turkey) simply because it's a lot more sporting and does take a bit more skill over a 12. I also like it at the skeet range. I use my 12 gauge for turkey and waterfowl just for that extra bit of shot in the air. The 12 gauge is also pretty good to have at the trap side of the range. As for reloading, get another press, some wads and empties and you're in buisiness for 20 gauge!

That actually all depends on how you cook them. Because there is so little fat on them you need to add some and they will take on that taste. For example, many people will wrap the breast in bacon and then grill them (not a bad way to eat a pheasant, by the way), others (like moi) like to smoke them in which case they will pick up the flavors of the smoke. I'd never really say they taste like chicken since they are a bit dryer so maybe closer to a Thanksgiving turkey thats been in the oven?