As an aside about steel & no tox shot: "inside 40 yards" can be quite elusive for many.
One way to assist judging 'within range' is to place several decoys [one more or less center & one ea. on the flanks] at 35 yards out from the blind; a hand held laser range finder may be used to great advantage placing those decoys. You can use a stick or even a pole rather than a decoy if you prefer, but it needs to be something readily identifiable & easily seen.
FWIW, I have found 1&1/8oz. 2&3/4" 12ga. steel loads of #4's in the 1300fps. range [hardly 'MAGNUM'] to be quite effective on ducks inside 35 yards. #3's are even better, but not always readily available. And Hevi Shot of sufficient size kills as well as lead for distance shooting and does not require Mach 1.5 velocities to do it. Also might wanna take a box of steel #7 target loads for use as 'swatters' when needed.
Best in sport & good shooting, tw
