Getting started on Quail

MadsL

Absolute beginner here. I've just moved to New Mexico and the Quail season starts tomorrow. I can get a game licence for $15.

I currently have no shotgun and no dog.

Have my eye on a 20 gauge Mossburg pump with the intention of first getting some clay practice, then rough shooting without a dog. Hope to get a rescue dog young enough to train up.

Any other thoughts or advice to get started. Pheasant is very limited here (one day season) but Duck plentiful but blinds not plentiful and a lottery is in force. Would a 20 gauge be ok for Duck too?

terminator2

most clay shooting is 12 gauge , duck also

MadsL

Quail are pretty small, would a 12 gauge not just blast them to bits?

Would something like this help with clay practice/competition. Is a 20 gauge just too small for clays?

Grizzly 45

Sure you can shoot duck with a 20 ga,but it is more limited in range.
Trouble is you are going to find you need both "a saw and hammer" for the job you have over there.Its two different kind of shooting,walk up shooting light loads Vs Sitting in a boat or blind throwing out heavy loads..A 20 Ga is a fine quail gun,and you are going to be doing a fair bit of walking to shoot them over.While a 12 Ga duck gun is going to feel like you are humping a belt fed MG after awhile.:p

Seeing that you are Stateside,why not look at getting a good 2nd hand 12 Ga mossberg pump for the duck as well??Any gun dealer or pawn shop will have a ugly but functional rack of stuff under 100$

garv123

Most people shoot snipe in this country with a 12g and they are a tiny bird. You can get smaller shot size for smaller birds and it will not do any damage to the bird.
Most clay shooting is done with a 12g, doesnt mean you can do it with a 20 though. Ammo may be cheaper in bulk for 12g for clays as it is a more common ammo.

You wont go wrong with a mossberg 500 or mossberg maverick t88.
Will never fail to fire a shot no matter how much abuse you give it.

MadsL

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Sure you can shoot duck with a 20 ga,but it is more limited in range.
Trouble is you are going to find you need both "a saw and hammer" for the job you have over there.Its two different kind of shooting,walk up shooting light loads Vs Sitting in a boat or blind throwing out heavy loads..A 20 Ga is a fine quail gun,and you are going to be doing a fair bit of walking to shoot them over.While a 12 Ga duck gun is going to feel like you are humping a belt fed MG after awhile.:p

Seeing that you are Stateside,why not look at getting a good 2nd hand 12 Ga mossberg pump for the duck as well??Any gun dealer or pawn shop will have a ugly but functional rack of stuff under 100$

Thanks. That's kind of why I was leaning towards a convertible 12/20 gauge.

Really just looking at getting into Quail as they are delicious , Duck seems to be harder to get into around here without spending lots. But you never know if I'll get hooked.