We had a chance to review the Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl shotgun on a busy sea duck hunt on the Maine coast.
The fast wingbeats and steady action made me feel like I was living in a three-dimensional video game. Two buffleheads soared through the narrows in front of us at breakneck speed, with shotguns thundering a barrage of steel shot through the Atlantic air. Seconds later, a black duck made the mistake of flying within range, and a three-gun salute ended with a crescendo and a watery splash.
Our trusty black lab whimpered with uncontrollable excitement, waiting for the signal to fetch them up. Our day began hours earlier, with coffee and snacks prepared for the extended morning ahead. Trucks and trailers wove through the winding coastal streets until we prepared to launch.
The boat launch required careful footwork, with ice covering the concrete slabs edged with seaweed left behind by the tide. The night sky glistened with bright stars, and our crew of hunters waddled towards the boat in waders and extra-warm clothes. We were quite the sight with pigeon-toed steps and the red trailer lights engulfing our unflattering figures and turning us into neon signs. The fact of the matter was that none of us cared what we looked like, and being warm on the water and while sitting vigil on rocky outcrops was the only concern.
We were hunting the coastal inlets and waterways of eastern Maine. Christmas was only weeks away, and the trip was like an early gift. Hunting sea ducks is a treat for anyone living inland. Everything is different, and the learning curve is steep. We had an ace in our hand with a local gang of Ducks Unlimited volunteers who have been hunting the salty waters of the East Coast for decades. One of our boats was captained by Casey Mowers and Red Dog Guide Services, who had done some scouting and reconnaissance to put us on birds.
The first morning out was wild, with a steady stream of ducks and some shy geese. The decoys were strung out long before sunrise. The long lines of goldeneye and long-tailed duck decoys stretched to open water while a pod of black ducks was set closer to shore. We perched ourselves on a steep rocky slope on the north side of a small island. The narrow channel of tidal water in front of us was a natural funnel between islands that drew birds from both directions. The island to the north of us was about 80 yards away. Anything flying up the center or our side of the gut would be in big trouble.
The number of buffleheads was amazing. With five guns ready to blaze, plenty of noise echoed off the rocks. We targeted the brightly colored males, easily distinguished from the drab females. The odd goldeneye winged overhead, but none provided a good shot opportunity. The black ducks teased us with flights up and down the inlet, but they seemed to know where they were headed. We took turns on singles and doubles and ganged up on larger flocks. A male bufflehead screamed from right to left, and I swung the Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl shotgun fast to get in front of the bird. I pulled the trigger to unleash a pattern of steel. The bird cartwheeled through the air and skipped on the water’s surface before coming to rest.
Shannon and Brenton were on the right, cleaning up everything that dared fly within range. Rose and I guarded the left flank and worked hard to make more noise than the others. Linda is a seasoned sea duck hunter and did more watching than shooting, cheering on the team of waterfowlers anxious to add new species to their harvest list.
Shannon had brought Apex Ammunition shotshells, and the S3 Steel #2 killed cleanly with the close flying birds. The shotshells are well constructed and proved ideal for damp and salty conditions. We had a Mossy Oak Shadow grass Habitat Blend case loaded with tungsten and steel. Those were being saved for big ducks like scoters, eiders, and possibly some big honkers.
Mid-morning, a pair of juvenile surf scoters tried to fly the gauntlet of steel shot and were added to the daily bag. As the tide continued to climb, so did the waterfowl traffic. We had to move seat cushions and ammo boxes up the rock every 20 minutes. When our feet started to get wet, it was time to climb. More scoters provided an opportunity, and buffleheads continued to stream through, providing giggles and chances for everyone. We slowly got chased up the rock by the tide, and by the time the morning hunt was over, we were close to sitting at the tree line.
The boats were used to gather the decoys, and we headed back towards the boat launch to return to camp. The water looked much different than in the dark, and summer homes lined the shores. Large ducks cruised above the surface in the open water, letting us know there was plenty of variety ahead with two more hunting days to go.
The next morning, the weather changed our hunting plans. Rain and wind made the seas treacherous, so we opted to take a rest day. Being in Maine, we made a trip to the L.L. Bean main store, which is more like a campus. It was interesting to check out the different hunting and fishing gear with regional differences from what I am used to seeing and using.
In the afternoon, we regrouped and made plans to hunt a river for black ducks. A blind was constructed, and decoys were set along the mud flats along the shore. We watched small groups of black ducks landing and taking off along one stretch. We hoped to get an opportunity to see some big Atlantic flyway birds up close.
The center of the river was a major flight path, with birds avoiding areas where hunters could be lurking. Flocks of big honkers worked up and down the channel, looking for backwater areas to roost and feed. We shot one mature black duck to top off the day and considered it worthwhile.
The next morning, the weather had changed to our advantage, and we headed our boats closer to the open seas. Getting to the outer islands would help increase the odds of seeing common eiders, white-winged scoters, and more surf scoters. The big ducks can be challenging to kill and the Apex tungsten/steel loads would be put to the test. Strings of long-tailed and eider decoys were set on lines that could be pulled by anchor lines to adjust for a rising tide. The shooters spread out on the gentle sloping rocks, staying as close to the rising tide as possible. Our hosts sat at the edge of the forest above, using the height advantage to watch for birds and identify the species.
There were big flights of long-tails, and the ones that tried to land with the decoys made for ideal targets. The unique call of the long-tailed duck seems comical and out of character, but knowing what to listen for helped in quick identification. Brenton was excited to see the various scooters and was over the moon when he shot a nice surf scooter. I didn’t want to be outdone, so I added a candy-corn-billed bird to my pile. An adult male surf scoter has an impressive bill with fascinating colors.
The eiders were few and far between, making us watch carefully. The large ducks cruise just above the water’s surface and can sneak in without notice. I shot common eiders on a previous trip to Maine, and when one showed up over the decoys, Brenton rolled it into the decoys. Our boat crew wasted no time getting out to make the retrieve.
The large stretch of open water to our left brought a few surprises, and when some white-winged scoters flew close to our rock, we added some baby blue-eyed ducks to the bag. The white wings are classy-looking ducks, and the blue eyes are stunning. Shannon was the sleeper of our group when it came to shooting. She can swing a shotgun with authority and dumped another eider after it ran the gauntlet of other shooters. She is modest when it comes to taking credit but shot extremely well.
It was our last morning to hunt, and the conditions and birds differed greatly from day one. Both were unique experiences, and the variety made the trip more special. Our bird count wasn’t nearly as high as day one, but every bird harvested would be considered a trophy. Birds were carefully laid out for the journey home to maintain their pristine look.
Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl (purchase here from Midway USA)
The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl is well designed for hunting in moist conditions where salt water can create havoc with moving parts. The gas-operated gun cycled fast and threw spent shells about a boat length away. The cycling uses up a lot of the energy that a hunter would typically feel as recoil. The length of pull on the 940 Pro Waterfowl is adjustable for individual fit, and the different shooters in our party proved the value of proper fit and feel. The drop, cast, and length-of-pull, from 13 to 14.25 inches, are all adjustable on the 940 Pro.
Shooting big magnum shotshells was not an issue, and the reduced recoil of the shotgun was noticeable. The 940 Pro felt comfortable in my hands, allowing me to shoot like I’d owned and used the smoothbore for years. The slim profile forend and new barrel design make pointing the shotgun intuitive. The lightweight design made it easy to swing on the fast-flying fowl.
Jerry and Lena Miculek design input to the Mossberg 940 Pro
The adaptability and handling of the entire Mossberg 940 Pro lineup stem from an affiliation with competitive shooters Jerry and Lena Miculek. The input of the Miculek team led to the 2020 launch of a new 12-gauge autoloading shotgun for competitive shooters–the 940 JM Pro. The shotgun’s popularity grew fast. Mossberg used the new technology as an advantage in its 940 Pro Waterfowl, 940 Pro Snow Goose shotguns, and Pro Turkey guns.
All models in the 940 series of shotguns are gas-operated and still offer less felt recoil. The new-age shotguns come with a ported choke tube to further reduce recoil. The shotgun was easy to load, having an oversized charging handle, a beveled loading port, and a large release button that could be operated while wearing gloves.
The 940 Pro Waterfowl is protected with a non-reflective Cerakote finish to avoid detection from keen-eyed waterfowl. The internal parts are corrosion-resistant, including a boron-nitride coated gas piston, magazine tube, hammer sear, and return spring tube. The coating also enhances performance and provides a weatherproof layer, making the shotgun ideal for hunting the Atlantic or other challenging conditions. The chrome-lined chamber and bore are well protected against corrosion and pitting. Mossberg claims you can shoot up to 1,500 rounds through the autoloader before cleaning, and operation will not be compromised. I didn’t shoot enough for a complete test but had no issues and did not clean the gun while on the trip.
The 940 Pro line sports a HIVIZ TriComp sight that is easy to see and makes acquiring targets easy and instinctivey. The HIVIZ sight has interchangeable triangular and round LitePipes to customize the configuration for light conditions or personal preferences.
The 940 Pro Waterfowl has a 28-inch vent rib barrel fitted with an extended, ported choke. The barrel has an X-Factor ported choke tube but is Accu-Choke compatible. The Cerakote finish is called Patriot Brown, and the camouflage pattern on the stock is TrueTimber Prairie. There is texturing on the forend and stock, sling swivel studs, and the receiver is drilled and tapped. The safety is ambidextrous. The 940 Pro Waterfowl has a 5-round capacity and has an MSRP of $1,050. There is a Snow Goose variant, with a 12-round capacity and unique Battleship Gray Cerakote finish, offers additional options at an MSRP of $1,120.
I tried the turkey model, and the short barrel was a huge advantage to reduce movement and to hunt in tight quarters. The Turkey model aimed to redefine the turkey hunting experience and did so with flying colors.
Apex Ammunition (purchase here from Midway USA)
The hitting power of the Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) was impressive on the big sea ducks. The blended or “duplex” load blends ¼ ounce of TSS into the #3 steel pellets. The blend maximized pattern density and proved effective with clean kills. The blended load is a great choice for trophy bird hunters and those looking for maximum knockdown and killing power for duck and goose hunting on any flyway. The loads are available in 12 gauge, 3 inch, 1-5/16 ounce loads traveling at 1,400 feet per second.
LaCrosse Alpha Agility Select Waders (purchase here on Amazon)
Waders are a must for hunting the tidal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The rocks and debris are hard on equipment, and durable waders are required to keep you dry and comfortable. The LaCrosse Alpha Agility Select Waders are built on the same platform as the Alpha Agility knee boots to keep them lightweight and comfortable. A front zip gets you in and out of the waders without straining, and a quilted liner is imperative for sitting on the cold rocks. The liner can zip out, so you can wear the waders in warm conditions. A waterproof pocket with electrostatic technology lets you check the weather or migration stats without taking your phone out of the sleeve. They are easy to pack and will last for years
