A shotgun might be the most universal hunting weapon ever devised. Pick the right load for your game and you're all set. Whether you're hunting doves or bears at close range, a shotgun is very versatile. If you use the wrong load, though, a hunt could go bad quickly. We'll start with the very smallest game one might hunt with a shotgun. Then, we'll progress up to the very largest and suggest the right loads for each specific hunt. ADVERTISING 1. Dove and quail dove hunting When hunting dove and quail, it's best to pick No. 7, 7.5 or 8 shot. Anything bigger creates gaps in the shotgun patterns the birds might fly through. Also, the larger shot might tear up the birds too much. Any shotgun bore or gauge size is suitable given distance accommodations. Remember, a tiny .410-bore shotgun won't reach out as far as a 12-gauge will. 2. Rabbit and squirrel Rabbit Hunting No. 6 lead shot has been the go-to shot size for rabbits and squirrels for as long as anyone can remember. For higher treetop squirrels, larger shot like No. 5 shot is perfect. Many hunters prefer also the even-larger No. 4 shot, but remember as the shot size goes up, you also have less pellets and more holes in your distance patterns. Fire a test shot pattern into a sheet of paper at different distances and see what shot size works well in your shotgun. Rabbits don't require a magnum load or heavy game load, but squirrel shots way up in a tree can use such a load. An improved cylinder choke is great for rabbits, but go full choke for squirrels. 3. Ducks For waterfowl loads, nontoxic shot such as steel, tungsten, bismuth or others have replaced lead shot by federal law. The best way to hunt duck-sized birds is by using No. 2 steel shot in a magnum load. 4. Geese Geese also require nontoxic shot by law. It takes a lot to knock these tough birds out of the sky. Plan on using BB shot or close to it for maximum knockdown power on the big honkers. Magnum loads are the name of the game. 5. Turkey