[Phil C]

Some guys say their experience is that it’s unsportsman like to shoot birds with 9 or 10 shot as it won’t kill over 15 yards.
Others find it devastates birds.
Lots of variables I suppose but like many of you I’m retired and hunt with my dogs for quail every chance I get.
Season starts in early October and ends in February.
I enjoy eating quail and use what works. For Mearns pointed by my dogs I shoot 9’s spreaders and open chokes.
I can only think of two birds I could not salvage this year. One that flew right at me and I should have never shot, the other where a covey flushed close and I shot at less than 12 yards, something I should not have done.
I do not find my birds are horribly shot up. Then again I don’t mind two or three pellets in the breast.
Most are very easily and cleanly removed with a tool made from a nail.