Calling Help

[mendozer]

I've been playing around with my duck and goose call and I don't feel like I'm really improving with it. I've seen videos on demonstrating the various sounds to make, but not really HOW to make them. I have a Winglock Goose Whisperer and Duck Commander Triple Threat. This is what I have so far:

Goose:

The long range honk "err-honk": I do this by trying to make a "gww-ick" sound while keeping the tongue behind the bottom teeth. This is by far my most consistent and good sounding call.

Cluck:? I try the faster "gwick" but it's awfully loud and can't seem to make a softer feeder sound.

Moan:?

Duck: I haven't really explored this much other than vary the amount of "tut-tuttt" noises I put into it to get various tones and speed of the noises.



Anyone else have some tips for making different noises and how to do it?

I used to play the trumpet so using my diaphragm isn't an issue. I can easily get calls to break over. Just unsure how to vary it...or is that the use of a different type of call"?

[Special T]

Where are you located?

[mendozer]

I'm in the Seattle Area, Kent specifically. However, for hunting I was planning on going to Skagit as it's the closest hunting to me. I got some decoys this weekend so I just need to learn to call a bit better.

[Buckewe]

For goose calling look into the bad grammar dvd  or you can find some of there stuff on youtube. That has been the best help for me for goose calling. It's not the sound you make into the call it's how the air is forced through the call and hand placement. 

[Badhabit]

Your Winglock Whisperer is a good call for calm days. If you want a call that will be easy to blow and have make your ears bleed loudness get a Grounds Half breed in graphite material and for $55. Any CD's by Dave Smith will help you on goose calling.

[WALLEYEGUY]

Try different words for goose I was more of a TooooWiick kind of guy and change the emphasis of the syllables.  For duck I waaacK waaaack and tica tica kind of guy.  As always, don't practice where the wife can here you.

[EWUeagles]

Bad Grammer for a DVD on Goose Calling or check out Field Proven Calls goose calling. It's 14 little video that walks you right through on how to use a call.

[Special T]

Imo a good quack and knowing when to call from the birds body language is more important than anything else for greenheads.

[mendozer]

all good tips, thanks a lot. I'll look into these things. As far as that last comment about behavior, know a good video or instructional on reading them?

I'm of the mind that if I call when they're flying over and they don't seem intrigued at all, I'm not going to beg them to come down. I imagine they'd know that's not natural.

[constructeur]

know a good video or instructional on reading them?

I think it's great that you're trying to get ahead of the game and shorten your learning curve, but also think for something like reading birds, often, will be something that time in the field will help sort for you.

Don't be afraid to make a mistake, and always try to have fun and just take it as it comes...

[mendozer]

Oh I will definitely make mistakes, its' how we learn. I just prefer to learn...faster haha.

I might go out opening weekend here soon in Skagit somewhere.

[ballstothewaal]

One thing Ive always heard that helps read behavior is wing speed, if their wings are flapping fast, I try and be more aggressive because they are generally already planning on leaving. If their wings slow down, they are looking to land, so a big aggressive calling sequence is not needed.

[mendozer]

oh ok good to know.

[Special T]

I'll give you a a senerio.

You see a pair of ducks far off so you give them a hail call and the start heading tword you. I switch  to a  easy not to loud quack ever 30 sec or so and get softer as they get closer. Wing beats get slower as the get closer and they loose a little altitude at 60yds they veer off. When they tilt thier wings away from the spread I give an excited hail call. Normally they swing around for another look. Loose some altitude and come a little closer for a better look. Once they have hooked I make a couple soft quacks. Repeat as necessary till finish.

[mendozer]

that's a good example thanks