Mud Buddy – King of Mud Motors

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Ethan Smith
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We Asked, You Answered… What Duck Hunters Use on Their Hunts

It may be a little biased, but duck hunting is our favorite sport and if we have learned anything working at Mud Buddy Motors, it is that waterfowl hunting happens to be many of your favorites as well. If you are anything like us, you spend a lot of time (and money) trying out new methods and products year after year to improve your hunt. It is a large part of the sport that many of us don’t talk about enough and our team wanted to help. From shotgun model of choice to decoy preferences, we wanted to know what works for you.

Late last year, we sent out a survey asking you what you use while duck hunting. There were only a few questions, but each helped us understand what works for the majority of hunters. A lot of you responded, giving us great insight into the way you like to hunt. Whether you reacted directly on a browser or through social media, thank you for taking the time to answer the call. We collected all of your answers and wanted to share them with you. Let’s get the conversation going.

Disclaimer: If you agree or disagree with the majority, please feel free to leave a comment below. It would be great to hear your opinions and why specific tactics work better for you than others.

Question #1

What gauge shotgun do you prefer while duck hunting?

whatgaugeshotgun Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

The vast majority of those who responded to the survey preferred using a 12 gauge rather than a 20 gauge. In pattern density and shot stringing, the 12 gauge offers a slight advantage over the 20 gauge, especially with larger steel pellet sizes. This difference can fill the shot string void as range increases with your shots. Whether you use a 12 or 20, use the shotgun that works best for you.

See also  .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire for Squirrel Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Squirrel Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for squirrel hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest squirrel. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the squirrel, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the squirrel in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a squirrel in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire within the ideal range of suitable calibers for squirrel hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is A GOOD CHOICE for squirrel hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Animal Species Squirrel Muzzle Energy 250 foot-pounds Animal Weight 1 lb Shot Distance 25 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire round is approximately 250 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male squirrel? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male squirrel is approximately 1 lb. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in squirrel hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for squirrel to be approximately 25 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the squirrel being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest squirrel - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is A GOOD CHOICE for squirrel hunting. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting squirrel to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 2 Comments Carl - Jul 04, 2024I am going to try 20 gr fmj ’s to minimize meat damage on squirrel , with the 17 hmr. Ricochet should not be greater than a .22 lr . Carl - Jul 04, 2024I am going to try 20 gr fmj ’s to minimize meat damage on squirrel , with the 17 hmr. Ricochet should not be greater than a .22 lr . Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

Question #2

Which shotgun model do you prefer?

whichshotgunmodel Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

While most use 12-gauge shotguns, the model varies. Benelli came in first with Browning shortly behind. Other popular models included Beretta, Remington, and Winchester. Finding your model preference takes a lot of tests and trials. Let us know which models you tried and why you settled on your final choice in the comments below. We would love to know the reasons behind your model choice!

Question #3

What is the best truck to pull your boat?

besttrucktopull Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

Another question that pulled in a lot of varied answers was which truck is best to haul your boat. Ford and Chevrolet came in the top 2 with Dodge, GMC, and Toyota falling behind. A lot of factors play a role in your truck choice, including cost, weight, and horsepower. Ford is perhaps the favorite because it offers the most bang for your buck. Weigh-in in the comments below.

Question #4

What is the best type of duck hunting dog?

bestduckhuntingdog Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

Unlike the last two questions, most hunters agreed that Labrador Retriever is the best duck hunting dog. Bred for marking, retrieving, and delivering ducks directly to you, Labradors are one breed you should consider when picking your duck hunting partner. The Labrador’s double fur coat keeps them warm while also acting as a water-repellent layer. Their webbed feet and muscularly frame help them easily maneuver through the water. Also, a thick otter tail gives them extra balance. After looking over these attributes, it is no surprise that the Labrador is popular among duck hunters.

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Question #5

How many decoys do you use on a typical duck hunt?

howmanydecoystouse Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

Decoys are a part of duck hunting that is truly up to the hunter. The number of decoys per hunt is largely dependent on personal preference, but also revolves around the weather conditions. If there’s one tip we could give regarding a decoy set-up, it is that motion matters. Motion rules over amount and cost because live ducks can spot the difference. Groups of ducks don’t sit still—they flap their wings, swim around, and cause commotion in the water. Decoys, no matter the brand or quantity, should mimic the natural motion of a real duck.

Question #6

Do you paint your face for a dunk hunt?

doyoufacepaint Mud Buddy - King of Mud Motors

The last question, “Do you face paint?” gave us a clear answer. Most of you don’t face paint, but a good number still do. Face paint generally comes down to convenience. We suggest trying it out on your next hunt and seeing if you notice a difference. Sometimes it can matter more than you realize.

Thank you again for all of your responses. It is great to hear what works, what doesn’t, and which methods you suggest to waterfowl hunting beginners. Sound off in the comments below and let us know if you agree or disagree with the majority. As always, you can contact our team to talk shop or learn more about how our mud motors can make the biggest difference in your next season. Also, if you are looking for duck hunting tips, look no further.

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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