Advantages Of A Shorter Shotgun Barrel When You Hunt For Quail
If you've recently taken up quail hunting, you'll need to think about many different topics. The use of a hunting dog is common in this pursuit, which can make you so focused on dog training and dog management that you don't give enough consideration to your gun. Before your dog retrieves any downed quail and brings them to you, you need to shoot them — and that means that you want to have not only the right ammunition, but also the right gun. A shotgun is the way to go, but you should consider your barrel length. While there are advantages to using a longer barrel, here are some benefits of a shorter one.
Lighter To Carry
There are different approaches to take when you hunt for quail. One is to hunker down in a blind or other specific area and wait for the prey to come to you, and another is to cover a large terrain with your canine companion in a search for the quail. For the latter, cutting down on the weight that you're carrying will make the experience easier and more enjoyable. A longer shotgun barrel adds weight, which might not seem like much in the first few minutes, but can be noticeable by the time you've walked for several hours. A shorter barrel is lighter and thus more pleasant to carry.
Quicker To Get Into The Firing Position
Sometimes, you'll stumble on a bunch of quail that will be startled by the sound of your approach and take to the air quickly in an effort to flee. The shorter your shotgun barrel, the quicker you'll be able to swing it up and get the weapon into the firing position before the birds are out of range. A longer barrel takes just a little more time to get into position, which can be costly if your prey is flying away from you.
Distance Won't Be An Issue
Many hunters believe that longer gun barrels are valuable for helping to keep them accurate, especially at long distances. It's a safe bet, however, that your quail production isn't going to suffer if you opt for a shorter barrel. Generally, you want to shoot only when the quail are close. The farther they are from you, the more difficult it is to retrieve a downed bird, and you never want to shoot something and leave it where it falls. The shorter barrel can remind you to only pull the trigger when your prey is close.
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