Marsh Hen ?

Planning to let my Daughter try some Marsh Hen hunting this season. Not 100% sure on the Regulations though. Seems we don’t need non-toxic shot or Duck Stamps. We need the Migratory Bird Permit though. What about plugging your gun for 3 shot max capacity? What size shot works best?

My neighbors were talking /arguing about steel shot or lead shot not too long ago.
The one was saying if you were shooting over the marsh it had to be still shot. Because of the lead contamination. The other neighbor called BS on that.
not an answer to your question but my two cents.


I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.

Shooting over the marsh has nothing to do with using steel shot. You must use non-toxic shot for Brants, Ducks and Geese, which are migratory birds ( water fowl )

You don’t need non-toxic shot for Marsh Hens, Moor Hens, Crows or Dove, which are also migratory birds, but not water fowl.

Both non-toxic shot and lead shot are legal to use in the same area, according to what is being defined as waterfowl. Regulations can be a pain in the neck trying to understand.

Number 8s always worked well for us.Not 100% sure about the plug but I would put one in just to be on the safe side.Hardest part is to get the younguns to let them get far enough away for the pattern to spread out.Dont forget to bring a fishing pole,prolly see some spotails.

Thanks. I thought 7.5s and 8s was what we used to use, but it’s been so long since I hunted them I wasn’t sure.

almost certain migratory = plugged gun

take a bucket of rocks to throw, they won’t flush till you bonk 'em with the boat sometimes. when they get up at arm’s length, you gotta wait a minute till they hit sporting range, they suck at flying and know it.

.410 and #8’s is fun, i ruined some meat in my younger days with the 12ga. lead works so much better than steel…

I’m going to plug her gun just to be on the safe side. Crows are migratory birds but you don’t need a plugged gun and can hunt them with rifles.

The regs can be confusing.
Going to let her hunt Moor Hens up at the lake, Moor Hens are in the Rail family…you don’t need non-toxic shot or Duck Stamps to hunt them. Coots are also a member of the Rail family but you need non-toxic shot and Duck Stamps to hunt them. The regs state you need Duck Stamps to hunt Ducks, Geese, Brants and Swans ONLY. Coots aren’t either of those. :face_with_spiral_eyes:

Thanks for the " Bucket of rocks " tip.

Oh boy,poling the boat and throwing rocks.haha. I miss the good old days when we ran the outboard and mixed cocktails while watching the kids gun some hens. I had a 16 gauge pistol that I used to shoot strays off the hip when they jumped up behind the boat.Hopefully the wind will be howling and getting the tide extra high.When them king clappers get the wind behind them,they can be kinda sporty.

Looks like next Saturday and Sunday will be some good days to go.Good luck.

Had planned to go Saturday. Birthday party changed that though. Will get her on them 2nd season a few times for sure.

Was down at the in-laws place near Buck Hall last weekend. Plenty of birds calling out in the grass.

Well,how bout it?

Had planned to try them today. Found out where we planned to hunt is in the Cape Romaine NWR. Needed steel shot there which I don’t have yet. Spent the day at the sister in laws place near Buck Hall where we were going to hunt having an Oyster Roast instead…listening to a bunch of Rails out in the marsh.

It’s going to happen one day.

Went Yesterday on the flood tide. Got our 45 limit (15 per person) in an hour and could have taken many more. Plug is needed, we used #8 low brass, can not shoot under power, and you don’t have to use steel shot. The wind was terrible, had a heck of a time keeping the boat straight. IMO it’s best to go ahead and shoot a wounded one again, they will submerge and make it hard to retrieve. We used the .410 for that.

Best addition, I split the end of a long piece of bamboo and shoved the net handle in it and hose clamped it on. Worked great.

I really like the net idea,betcha them kids were having a big time!

" and you don’t have to use steel shot "

If you hunt Rails in any National Wildlife Refuge, you are required to use Non Toxic Shot. Bulls Bay where we are planning to hunt is the Cape Romain NWR.

I recently started using the ON X hunting app, which shows the USFWS Rail Hunting Area around Bulls Bay. Where Rail hunting is and isn’t legal in that area, and what the rules are. You also need a permit to hunt in that area.

Sorry for any miss information. We were not hunting any national refuges.

Not misinformation for some places. :smiley: Found some 20 gauge steel #7s on-line. May have to resort to using a 12 gauge if those shells don’t arrive in time. :wink:

We had a couple of boats and they all gave me heck for using a 12gauge. I use for quail hunting as well.

Been thinking of looking into a nice .410 semi auto.

https://youtu.be/IVMK8UCKOnY
Just saying.
Knock a couple down with a jud ge or a Governor. see who talk trash then


I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.

22 life’s a day

we had a guy with us using a judge, believe it or not. :smiley: We let him see if he could go 5 for 5 He got 3 for 5. I used it for a couple of wounded birds because they kept diving under before I could net them.