Early season hunts set the tone for the rest of the year. Ducks are still in lighter plumage, geese haven’t yet been pressured by migration, upland birds are flying fresh cover, and turkeys are still active across many states. For hunters, this is the time to shake the rust off, fine-tune gear, and get back into the rhythm of the field.
One of the biggest questions hunters face every year is what ammo to carry for early season. Conventional wisdom says you need different shells for different game: lighter loads for teal, heavier shot for geese, fast upland rounds for pheasants, and something entirely different for turkeys. That can mean carrying multiple boxes, swapping loads between hunts, and second-guessing whether you brought the right shell.
But there’s a simpler answer. Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) #9 is dense enough, consistent enough, and versatile enough to cover all of it — ducks, geese, upland birds, and turkeys — with a single shell. In this guide, we’ll break down why TSS #9 is the ultimate all-around option for early season and how it gives hunters confidence no matter what’s flushing, flying, or strutting in front of them.
What Makes TSS #9 Different
On the surface, #9 shot sounds small — almost too small for serious hunting. After all, most hunters are used to hearing that they need #2s or BBs for geese, #4s for pheasants, or #5s for turkeys. But what makes Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) #9 different is the incredible density of tungsten itself.
At roughly 18 g/cc, tungsten is nearly twice as dense as lead and more than two times denser than steel. That density means a #9 tungsten pellet carries as much downrange energy as a much larger steel or bismuth pellet. In fact, many hunters compare the lethality of a TSS #9 to a steel #2 or a bismuth #4. Smaller pellets with the same hitting power allow hunters to fit hundreds more pellets into a single shell, dramatically increasing pattern density.
That’s the real secret of TSS #9: pattern consistency plus penetration. Because the pellets are smaller, your pattern contains more strikes in the vital zone. Because the pellets are denser, each one punches deep enough to make those hits lethal. The result is fewer cripples, cleaner kills, and confidence at distances where other shot types start to lose effectiveness.
Another advantage is versatility. While steel or bismuth shells are often tailored to specific birds or ranges, TSS #9 doesn’t need to be swapped out depending on the hunt. Whether you’re shooting teal over decoys, pheasants flushing at the edge of a cornfield, or a gobbler strutting just outside 40 yards, the same shell delivers.
That combination of small pellet size + extreme density is what makes TSS #9 stand apart. It’s not just another option on the shelf — it’s a genuine game-changer for hunters who want one shell that can do it all.
TSS #9 for Early Season Ducks & Geese
Waterfowlers know that early season birds can be a mixed bag. Blue-wing teal buzz the decoys at first light, local mallards drift in cautiously, and the occasional honker wings overhead when you’re not expecting it. Each of those situations traditionally called for a different load: small, fast shot for teal, heavier pellets for mallards, and big steel BBs for geese. That’s where TSS #9 changes the equation.
Because tungsten is so dense, #9 pellets retain lethal penetration far beyond what their size suggests. In real-world terms, a TSS #9 pellet hits like a steel #2 or bismuth #4, meaning even tough birds like geese are no problem when the pattern is centered. And since there are hundreds more pellets per shell, the pattern density is ideal for fast-flying teal or small-bodied ducks that can slip through looser steel patterns.
Another advantage is consistency. Early season ducks often decoy close, but not always. Some flare just outside the spread, and geese rarely commit perfectly. With TSS #9, you don’t have to worry about switching shells when birds don’t behave. The same load that drops a teal at 15 yards will still cleanly kill a honker pushing 45.
Hunters who’ve made the switch quickly realize it’s not about “more power” — it’s about more forgiveness. Miss a little left or right, and your denser pattern still puts multiple lethal hits on target. That means fewer cripples sailing off into the marsh, and more birds on the strap.
In short: for early season ducks and geese, TSS #9 isn’t just versatile. It’s the closest thing hunters have to a one-shell solution, no matter what swings into the decoys.
TSS #9 for Upland Birds
Upland hunting is a completely different game than waterfowling. Shots are fast, unpredictable, and often at birds flushing hard from heavy cover. Pheasants rocket through cornrows, grouse break from timber with no warning, and coveys of quail scatter in every direction. Traditionally, hunters matched shells to the species: light loads of #7.5 or #8 for quail, heavier #4s or #5s for pheasants, and something in between for grouse. But with TSS #9, those distinctions start to fade.
Because of its density, TSS #9 gives hunters pattern density and penetration at the same time. For smaller birds like quail or ruffed grouse, the abundance of tiny pellets ensures multiple strikes even when the flush surprises you and your swing isn’t perfect. For big-bodied pheasants, the penetration of TSS #9 matches what you’d expect from traditional #4 or #5 shot, while still giving you the dense pattern of a smaller pellet.
This is especially valuable later in the season, when wild roosters tend to flush farther out. With steel or bismuth, those longer shots are risky at best. With TSS #9, hunters gain the confidence to take them, knowing the pellets carry the energy needed for clean kills.
Another underrated benefit is convenience. Upland hunts often mean covering miles of ground with a vest or game bag full of gear. Carrying a single load that’s equally effective for quail, grouse, and pheasants simplifies the day and cuts down on second-guessing.
Whether it’s a covey rise in the grasslands or a long-tailed rooster cackling over a fence line, TSS #9 handles every upland scenario with one shell — no swapping, no compromises, just consistent results.
TSS #9 for Early Season Turkeys
Ask any turkey hunter and they’ll tell you: gobblers are some of the toughest birds in North America. Heavy bone, thick feathers, and a small vital zone make clean kills challenging, especially when birds hang up just outside of shotgun comfort range. Traditionally, hunters have turned to larger pellets — #4s, #5s, or #6s — believing the extra size was needed to penetrate. But TSS #9 rewrites that rulebook.
Thanks to tungsten’s extreme density (~18 g/cc), a #9 pellet carries as much penetration power as a much larger lead #5 or steel #2. The advantage is twofold:
- Lethal penetration even at 40+ yards.
- Massive pellet counts per shell, creating incredibly dense patterns that put more strikes into the turkey’s vital head and neck area.
For early season hunters, this versatility is gold. Some gobblers march straight to the decoys and offer easy 20-yard shots. Others hang up at 45 yards or circle wide. With TSS #9, the same load is deadly in both situations. The extra pattern density also creates a margin of forgiveness — if your aim is slightly off, more pellets still find their mark.
Another key point is ethics. Turkeys are not only tough; they’re revered game. The last thing any hunter wants is a wounded tom slipping into the timber. TSS #9 gives hunters the confidence to pull the trigger knowing their load will deliver clean, ethical results.
Whether you’re chasing fall flocks or kicking off spring, TSS #9 eliminates the guesswork. One shell handles the close encounters, the long shots, and everything in between — ensuring every hunt ends the way it should.
Why Simplifying Ammo Matters
Ask a group of hunters what’s in their vest or blind bag, and you’ll usually see a mix of shells: one box for ducks, another for geese, something lighter for quail, and heavier loads for pheasants or turkeys. It’s a habit built from decades of matching shot sizes to species. But it also leads to confusion, extra expense, and second-guessing in the field.
That’s why the versatility of TSS #9 matters so much. By carrying a single shell that performs across species, hunters simplify their gear and sharpen their focus. No more worrying whether you packed the right load, no more switching shells between setups. Instead, you gain confidence knowing your ammo can handle whatever the hunt throws your way.
The benefits aren’t just about convenience. When hunters rely on one proven shell, they become more consistent shooters. Muscle memory builds faster, patterns are familiar, and every shot feels the same whether you’re in a marsh, a cornfield, or a hardwood draw. That consistency translates into more clean kills and fewer wasted opportunities.
Finally, there’s peace of mind. Ammo costs are a small fraction of what we invest in travel, dogs, gear, and time. Using one premium shell that you trust eliminates the risk of lost birds and makes every hunt more rewarding.
Simplifying with TSS #9 isn’t just about cutting clutter — it’s about hunting smarter, cleaner, and with total confidence.
Conclusion
Early season hunting brings variety and unpredictability. Ducks may decoy close, geese may skirt wide, pheasants may flush at your boots or 40 yards out, and turkeys can hang up just beyond range. Traditionally, hunters carried different shells for each of these scenarios, hoping they packed the right one for the day.
TSS #9 changes that equation. With unmatched density, superior penetration, and pellet counts that create devastatingly dense patterns, this load performs across the board. From teal buzzing the spread to late-flushing roosters and wary gobblers, one shell handles it all. The result is fewer cripples, more clean kills, and a level of consistency that builds confidence in every shot you take.
At Black River Shot Company, we believe hunters shouldn’t have to compromise between performance and simplicity. That’s why we build our tungsten loads with one goal in mind: give you a shell that works everywhere, on everything, without second-guessing.
👉 Ready to start your season with confidence? Shop TSS #9 Tungsten Loads today and experience why one shell can truly do it all.