Originally Posted By: Geo. Newbern
Originally Posted By: craigd
Originally Posted By: Geo. Newbern
....the wind ALWAYS blows in Saskatchewan. I have seen many times when an aimed shot at 30 yards at a standing goose results in a pattern hit windward in the stubble a good two or three feet from the bird....

....Probably why I have some wounded birds that ought to be gobsmacked!

Thirty mile an hour crosswind? Most of the discussion has been about inches. Is there a little discrepancy between the point of aim and impact? Maybe, you're wearing more clothing than is normal for you? Maybe, loaner guns?


Craig, I'm not sure about the wind speed, but I am sure about how far the misses have been. I've seen it too many times. Could be some operator error for sure, but I blame the wind.

I don't know the math, but 30mph winds seem likely. Sometimes more. It being Canada, they always report the wind in kilometers to further confuse the matter.

We'll often set our decoys so the birds will cross into the wind as they toll. It seems to take their mind off the big field blind to have it to the side of the place we want them to try landing...Geo


I've seen the same time with ducks on the water. Patterns blown a pattern-diameter to the windward. Once it could be operator error, but not twice. That was back in the 80s with an 870 probably loaded with lead #4s and a modified choke at about the same distance or maybe slightly further. Winds tear the hell out of shot patterns in my experience. Out here on the prairies it is a very different ballgame than it was in Northeastern Minnesota where I grew up hunting grouse.

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BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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