They call those dogs " Retrievers " - Can NOT fathom WHY they do THAT ! More oft than not - duck hunting is done over water - Do NOT know WHY about that either ! Perhaps the " Retriever " - " Dog " - goes into the water to " retrieve " - " bring back " the shot duck that fell into the water ? CT does have lakes, ponds, ducks , dogs and shotguns - along with boats and " duck blinds " - Don't they ? $...eE..$
Of course and I would use a 12 guage shotgun with a tight choke for longer shots. If you want a pump action nothing better than an Ithaca still made in NY. Or how about an over under Italian design. Or maybe the iconic Browning automatic? Lot of choices.