Favorite Call

[LeftCoastLoren]

Hey guys, It's an interesting tango buying a new duck call. You can't "try it out" before you buy it. And if you end up sounding like daffy duck with it you can't return it! And there is no way I'm going to go drop $150 on a call that I MAY like.... So here's my question: What is your favorite go to call when it comes to sheet water hunting mallards on the westside? (I get many wigeon, pintal, and teal coming in as well) I know there will be some guys talking about some "Mine is better because it was top dollar" stuff. But I'd really like not to have to open a line of credit for a duck call. Thanks Fellas

[full choke]

I thought you could try out calls at Cabelas and Sportsmens? If not- for the cheap route buy a Haydels DR-85 and any cheap wigeon whistle, you can peep and purr and make really good drake mallard whisps with them.

[SquirrelHunter]

I like the quack head single read, and quack head goose call, think spent 20-30 on each.

[Badhabit]

The Echo Poly Carb double reed timber is a great sounding puddle duck call. Lots of custom call makers out there as well that make a reasonably priced duck call. Troy Taylor in Puyallup is making calls again. My go to call is the Echo Meat Hanger. EBAY has about 8000 duck and goose calls on it so there are some bargains to be had if you search them out. Nothing wrong with the DR85, its a double reed set up as well. The Southern Game calls Lil Joel is a fine sounding call as well. Loud and a single reed set up.

[hntrspud]

Buck gardener Firecracker, or Spitfire. Both double reed short barrel. But I am always trying new ones out, and will probably get a couple this year.

[johnnyaustin44]

Always have a daisy cutter by rnt on me. Also a ATM by zink. Both really ducky sounding calls. Big Sean calls is what I've been blowing recently in the big mama. Took a year to get it to sound how I want but sounds great. I've found that no two calls I've blown sound the same even if they are both the same. Good luck. 

[LeftCoastLoren]

I've had lot's of people say go for the dr-85. For the price it's worth a shot I guess. Thanks for the tips guys.

[LndShrk]

Dr-85 is a very good start..

Taylor Talkers are very nice..

I am partial to the original RNT Daisy Cutter though. 

[Kiltit]

Hobo Hunter

[Andrew8235]

I still love my duck commander "duck picker" or the "Triple Threat" easy to blow and quite affordable. i have used a pacific call ITF double reed and i wasn't overly impressed.

[RadSav]

One more for the lesser expensive Haydel!  I found that most general hunters can not get enough from the high priced competition type calls to make the investment worth it.  Most of them require a lot of back pressure to really make them live up to their price tag.  And if you don't they can often times sound much worse than the simple Haydels.  They use to make a pink one called the Le Femme.  It was the easiest to use duck call ever made and we slayed a ton of ducks over the years with it.

I also agree with Full Choke about getting a simple Wigeon call.  No need to go fancy on whistlers.  For years I used the whistle from an old tea pot and called wigeon in like they were tied to the decoys with a bungee.

[h2ofowlr]

I have a Echo call that is great sounding and a Brad's reactor that is also a double reed that are both good calls.  I have lots of $150 dollar calls sitting on my shelf.  I probably could sell a few of them and buy some new guns.   

[rumrunner]

Banded PD 2

[lokidog]

My favorite is an old Faulks, but I don't think they make them any more.  I've been using a free DU one that seems to sound decent since I can't find the Faulks this season. 

I think it is more in how and when you use it  than what the exact sound is.

Yeah, I found my Faulks duck call, but my goose call with it doesn't work.   

[h2ofowlr]

Banded PD 2

[wadu1]

Taylor Talkers have my vote; Troy lets you try them, tunes them for you and shows you how to use them. And he is a local guy. Or "LAST CALL" drink up~~LOL

[h2ofowlr]

JJ Lares is another call that many guys run.  Great sounding calls with multiple reed options, so you can tune it to your liking.

[BiggLuke]

For areas you are talking about, just a crappy little $5 pintail whistle/multi-bird whistle.
They make they best sounds for wigeons, pintails, and all kinds of whistlling type ducks.

Other than that, the orange "Duck Picker" is my go to.
Its pretty amazing how soft and quiet I can get with it.

[MC37493]

Hey Lokidog i have found some of the old faulks calls at big five i also like those as well.

[270Shooter]

Echo meat hanger or echo diamond wood/poly timber

[mburrows]

Rich-N-Tone...all day.

[Patarero]

Watkins swamp bore.

[fast60eddie]

JJ Lares is another call that many guys run.  Great sounding calls with multiple reed options, so you can tune it to your liking.

 

[scottcrb]

JJ Lares is another call that many guys run.  Great sounding calls with multiple reed options, so you can tune it to your liking.

love mine pretty easy to blow and sounds great but a little on the pricey side.

[bigmac85]

Banded PD 2

Why don't you like the PD 2?

[LeftCoastLoren]

Ended up buying the dr-85 last Friday. I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed. Plus it was only 20 bucks 

[bowhunter851]

My favorite is an old Faulks, but I don't think they make them any more.  I've been using a free DU one that seems to sound decent since I can't find the Faulks this season. 

I think it is more in how and when you use it  than what the exact sound is.

Yeah, I found my Faulks duck call, but my goose call with it doesn't work.   

just bought a faulks call at sportmans wharehouse it seems like a good call cant wait to try it out on some birds

[jeepster]

Hey guys, It's an interesting tango buying a new duck call. You can't "try it out" before you buy it.

SO GET THIS

I was at cabelas earlier today trying to find a new snow goose call..... I was in the call aisle, and there was this dude there calling....

then I watched him put the call back in the packaging, grab another, and do it again..... all in all, he probably test drove 7 or 8 calls........

what a jack wagon

[JJD]

Another vote for the DR 85.  They used make a call called the Timber Cutter (?), inside, it's the same as the 85 with the more modern/popular external barrel design.  Didn't see it on their web site, so I'm guessin it is not available any more.

[deltaops]

I was at Cabelas yesterday and bought a Zink Polycarbonate Power Hen 2™ PH-2 DVD Combo.