i tried that. to bulk when having to carry a gun and a back pack and decoys. also i would forget to take it out when i got home and it would lock in mositure big time. i rock a paracord sling (survival sling) my girl friend tied up. i bet is you PMed grunt_doc hed tye you up one of his dope knots, also makes a hell of a call lanyard and dog callor
YES! It's worth the trouble to put a sling onto your shotgun.
Here is why:
When you get out of the blind what do you do with your shotgun? Leave it or bring it?
A guy with a sling will always bring it.
He might be retrieving a duck or out messing with decoys but either way it's a good idea to have a shotgun at all times when hunting waterfowl. Even when he takes a whiz. You can actually have two hands free while at the same time holding your shotgun on your shoulder.
Really...here is why:
Once I got out of the blind to turn a decoy that had blown over in the wind. I took my shotgun. While I was walking out of the blind a Bull Sprig flew by and I shot it. SWEET! It gets better. I got out to the decoy and was sending my dog to get that pintail when a OMG Bull Canvasback flew by and I shot it too. Had already shot a drake GWT, a Drake Mallard, and after I got back into the blind I got a drake Wigeon. That made 5 drakes, 5 species.
I got this picture before I dropped the camera into the water and before I shot that wigeon.
Dangit. I was torqued about the can and pintail. Should have had a sling on the camera.
Think about where you'd keep your shotgun in a flooded blind like that. Hang it up somehow I guess. (sling)
I've been hunting for 35 years and I hunt with 12 different shotguns, all have a sling of some sort on them. I bought a browning citori the other day, it really hurt to drill a hole in this brand new stock for a sling stud but I did and I am glad.
I've always ised a sling for waterfowl hunting (unless I was field hunting) as one should always have their gun at the ready for when a flock surprises you or you are retrieving a cripple. The problem is that some are a PITA to adjust but my brother got a Browning Accelerator sling with the one handed adjustment and it is awesome (except that it needs about 3" of strap above the web to allow it to [properly lay across your shoulder). If the sling is getting hung up or is inthe way simply tighten it a bit to remedy the tangle.
I had a sling flip over my sights the very first time a pheasant jumped from my feet. Missed... badly.
However, that's the only time it's been an issue and having your hands free while hunting can be really nice. Eat a sandwich sometime walking between fields. :lol3: My buddy couldn't get his out of the bag carrying his slingless gun.
Fixing dekes and retrieving birds is a great time to carry the gun on a sling. I've gotten several birds this year that came in, attracted to the movement of me walking in the water. Once you use the sling a bit you'll have that gun off your shoulder faster than you can think about it.
Slinger here. I take it off once I'm set up out in the field though. Too many times it's hung up and cost me birds. Also, noticed that when it's on it's very easy to see. So in the backpack it goes.
X2. A sling on a duck gun can be very handy. If I'm hunting where it can hang up on something, I just take it off. My slings are camo, so I just lay/hang 'em anywhere.
Only time I take off my sling is when I'm in my layout blind. I take them off and keep it handy because if I got to chase one down I put it back on. Move decoys etc
If you have to walk in to your hunt, yes. If you have to walk anywhere while you are hunting, yes. Other than that no it is not needed.
best of luck...
I had a sling flip over my sights the very first time a pheasant jumped from my feet. Missed... badly.
However, that's the only time it's been an issue and having your hands free while hunting can be really nice. Eat a sandwich sometime walking between fields. :lol3: My buddy couldn't get his out of the bag carrying his slingless gun.
Fixing dekes and retrieving birds is a great time to carry the gun on a sling. I've gotten several birds this year that came in, attracted to the movement of me walking in the water. Once you use the sling a bit you'll have that gun off your shoulder faster than you can think about it.
"Over your sights"? Do you have "lead defining sights" on that? If you've never tried them go for it. They automatically compensate for lead at all ranges and at all bird speeds. Just line up the sights on the bird and push the "Fire" button. One dead bird for sure! :thumbsup: If you want to research them go to "LDS.com" :thumbsup:
Couldnt imagine any of my guns without a sling. To me thats like shoes without socks. You can take that sling off when you get there. Plus you have a free hand for other gear as you stomp through the mud in the dark. :grooving:
I've used a sling for many years, for all the previous reasons posted. When I bought my son his gun, I included a sling, which he felt got in his way while shooting and took off. But then again, he has been hunting only a few years, so what does he know? :lol3:
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