beginner duck call

[grousetracker]

what is the easiest and most effective beginner duck call? I hunt mainly mallards or pintails. I saw some calls that were $150-200 and thats not what i can afford.

[buglebuster]

Look up phelps game calls, that will be my next duck call

[h2ofowlr]

Primos Wench call.  Inexpensive and good raspy call.  I would imagine many duck hunters own one whether they still use it or not is another question.

[ATM green head machine]

i have 15 duck and goose calls but nothing sounds like my echo it a great call buy a cheap echo it will do great or you could buy any buck gardner those are good to     

[h2ofowlr]

Go try some out at Cabelas or Sportsmans.  Your DR-85, Primos, Duck Commander and others have some decent $15-$20 calls that many still use.  Your Echos are another decent call from $35-$120 +~-.  Lots of calls to choose from these days and just about anyone with a lathe and some skill can turn a barrel. Insert is a different beast and tuning is for the more select.
I have close to 140 different calls that I have collected over the years.  Test a bunch and find one that fits your liking and practice.

[fowl smacker]

Haydels Dr85 and Primos original wench can both be tuned to sound VERY ducky and are cheap.  Great beginner calls.

[aaronoto]

Buck Gardner Double Nasty II

[EWUeagles]

Pacific Calls has an entry level duck call for 40 bucks and they are made in Spokane. I have a Dr85 and I never loved how it sounded but I know guys who only use that and shoot a ton of ducks. If you didn't want to go with a Pacific Call I would go with the Primos original wench. It's probably the best entry level duck call I have tried and I have tried a lot.

[CP]

I own a Primos Wench and find it sounds great and is easy to blow, until it gets damp anyway then it sounds like a kazoo.  And it doesn’t take long to get damp.

[cliffordingles]

I second Phelps! Im not a beginner but that call is easy to blow and you get a custom barrel so even if you cant call youll look like you can lol. He uses Echo inserts, sound great. Im going to order another duck call and a goose call from his when those are ready.

[vandeman17]

Primos Wench call.  Inexpensive and good raspy call.  I would imagine many duck hunters own one whether they still use it or not is another question.

Easiest call I have found to get a decent sound out of without much skill or practice.

[buglebuster]

I also have a bill saunders refuge series double reed that is easy to use and sounds great! I think it was about $30.

[moocher97]

Buck Gardner Double Nasty II

one vote for the double nasty. beginner calls are usually double reeds which produce a consistent sound.

[Commando]

Another vote for the primos wench. Double reeds will be easier for a beginner to use. I learned on a promos call yes ago. Another one I really liked was the haydels redleg mallard. Remember to practice a lot. I always have my calls with me in the truck. My wife hates it lol.

[ATM green head machine]

Go try some out at Cabelas or Sportsmans.  Your DR-85, Primos, Duck Commander and others have some decent $15-$20 calls that many still use.  Your Echos are another decent call from $35-$120 +~-.  Lots of calls to choose from these days and just about anyone with a lathe and some skill can turn a barrel. Insert is a different beast and tuning is for the more select.
I have close to 140 different calls that I have collected over the years.  Test a bunch and find one that fits your liking and practice.

ha ya im always looking for more too i may have a problem.  if ya ever need to get rid of some ill take them off your hands for ya 

[Blacktail135]

 I use a Cedar Hills T300 call that I am pleased with. Single reed timber. $12.95.   

[syoungs]

I like the zink PH1 or PH2, can get them for less then 30$ I think.
Haydels dr85 is well proven, and the original wench is good, but hard to keep sounding good after a bit, (gets wet).

[Brad Harshman]

Here's an honest thought.  My coworker who professes that he isn't a strong caller uses a wooden Faulks call.  It's really quiet.  I wish I had a quieter call when I first started.  Don't get me wrong I'm far from great, as it is. But if you're new and trying to learn I'd recommend a softer or quieter call.  Blaring out bad calls will only spook the birds. 
With all that said - good for you to start practicing in the off season.  You've received alot of great recommendations. 

[DAMdoug]

I have been using a Duck Commander original wood call. I have been using for a long time. I started using them in the 80's before Phil became a celebrity. I think I paid less than $10.

But I would really consider Carlson Championship Call http://www.carlsoncalls.com/ they make some very good calls. They also have a system for learning how to use a call.

[BiggLuke]

Keep an eye out at walmart.... now that the season is over....   hint hint....   duck calls can be super cheap there, because they go on sale to get rid of inventory.
Lots of good calls are carried at walmart from Duck Commander, to haydells, to Primos.

Usually I get a couple around $5 a piece every year to add to my pile. lol

Good luck   

[Badhabit]

I sold a Luna label Duck Commander for $125. on ebay last summer. Old DC calls with early labels sell for crazy prices. Lots of good suggestions given. My first duck call was an Echo poly double reed timber. Still have it on a lanyard.

[hdshot]

Duck call market is so flooded you can try a couple cheap and they are good calls.  Double reeds are great to learn and stay with.  Youtube can be you best friend or worst enemy when learning how to call as well.   

[grousetracker]

I appreciate the responses and picked up 2 duck commander calls,a drake call that sounds pretty good and a hen call that sounds really raspy and is a lot more difficult, what about triple reed calls?

[h2ofowlr]

I appreciate the responses and picked up 2 duck commander calls,a drake call that sounds pretty good and a hen call that sounds really raspy and is a lot more difficult, what about triple reed calls?

Most use single or double reeds.  I have several triple reed calls.  More chance of crap getting in them and making them sound bad.  If your familiar with calls and know how to take them apart, clean and re-assemble them your good to go.  Might not be the best option out of the box for learning on.   

Start with what you have and practice all off season.  You might add another upgraded call prior to the season if you believe you require more.  Practice and actually using the call in a fashion the ducks respond well to in the field will take you to another level of calling. 

[JJD]

Another fan of Haydel's DR 85 or the Timber Cutter.  They are the same call with a different look.

Very easy to call with.  They used to have a package with a DR 85, plus a drake/pintail whistle and an instructional CD for about $40. 

[snocohunter]

I have and sometimes still use my original wench. Never had a problem with it sticking or sounding bad. I have some DC calls but not that impressed with them. They aren't bad but not great. I just won an auction for an ITF Single Reed from Pacific Calls and it sounds pretty good. But your poly calls are pretty cheap and a lot of them flat out work. Many birds have fallen victim to the 'ol wench.

[Savage.06Shot]

Coming from a beginner, I started off at the beginning of last season with one duck commander and I decided that wasnt the tone the ducks liked so I bought two calls on my next stop to buy shells. One was the wench and the other was the DC ole raspy and they both sounded good and had a great ring from just a quack. However I had more mallards turn to look at our decoys with the primos wench which was right around 20 bucks. You canalso check out rich n tone calls my buddy swears by his. Good luck

[Savage.06Shot]

Coming from a beginner, I started off at the beginning of last season with one duck commander and I decided that wasnt the tone the ducks liked so I bought two calls on my next stop to buy shells. One was the wench and the other was the DC ole raspy and they both sounded good and had a great ring from just a quack. However I had more mallards turn to look at our decoys with the primos wench which was right around 20 bucks. You canalso check out rich n tone calls my buddy swears by his. Good luck

[Elliott]

Primos Wench call.  Inexpensive and good raspy call.  I would imagine many duck hunters own one whether they still use it or not is another question.

This was my first call, still have it and use it if the reed on my other call gets a little squeeky or stuck.