Goose call suggestions

[Stein]

I have a cheapie and after a couple years can make decent goose sounds with it.  I'm ready to move up but don't hunt geese often so don't want to spend 100+.  What's a good call in the $50ish range?

I'm looking at the Pacific 509 working man or Bill Saunders refuge canada honker or hp canada honker or the traffic outfitter but haven't seen or heard any in person or heard them.

I'm looking for a solid call that can do the basics and will be trafficking geese for the most part.

Any suggestions from the above or others?

[Mfowl]

I use a Saunders refuge/lesser series for most of my calling. I also have the Saunders big spin and Pacific 206. I don't practice enough with my pricier calls and the refuge series is very easy to use with great sound which is why they get the most play. I have not used the HP but you would not be disappointed in the refuge series if you go that route.

[northwesthunter84]

I picked up a delrin 509 last year.  Really like the tone, sounds great and $60 was a fair price.  Don't chase geese regularly enough for the acrylics. 

[full choke]

Where are you hunting your geese? If you are in an open field environment then an acrylic call is worth any penny you pay for it. A poly or wood or even delrin call can sound great to you and those in your blind, but that sound will not carry very far in an open field type situation. Many times I have failed to hear a call from a group half a field away. Acrylic gives you that sound carrying advantage. Spend the extra $50 and get a call that will work in every situation. 

[goosegunner]

  Hands down get the Saunders Outfitter Traffic. It comes with broke in guts, the sounds and ease of blowing a call with broke in guts is second to none. The only disadvantage to buying a call with broke in guts already in it, is that you don't get the hours and hours and hours of practice and call operation breaking in your own guts.

[Stein]

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought about the volume issue when trafficking.  I'm familiar with poly and acrylic duck calls, it doesn't seem like my acrylic single reed is much, if any louder than a few poly calls I have.  They seem to be louder or quieter from call to call if that makes sense.

I much prefer my acrylic call, it is easier to call, sounds better, etc, but volume isn't a reason I like it.

So an acrylic goose call is usually much louder?  I can see how volume is a big deal when calling a hundred or two away at geese when it's windy and they are flying somewhere else.

[Kola16]

  Hands down get the Saunders Outfitter Traffic. It comes with broke in guts, the sounds and ease of blowing a call with broke in guts is second to none. The only disadvantage to buying a call with broke in guts already in it, is that you don't get the hours and hours and hours of practice and call operation breaking in your own guts.

I have heard many good reviews on this call, and it will be my next if that's worth anything.

[Guzman]

For 20 years I have been guiding with the same Tim Grounds plastic half breed and shot thousands of geese with it. Actually bought it from Bill Saunders before he started making his own.

I really like the pacific calls 509 and occasionally pull it out when I want to do something different.

[Stein]

I bit the bullet and bought the Traffic Outfitter, should be here this week.  I almost went with the full acrylic version, but didn't have the extra money and saw enough good reviews about the poly/acrylic version to have faith I wouldn't quickly regret it.

[GWP]

Went to the cheaper Zink and found it 'fairly' easy to learn. Am successful with it. More versatile than my old Otter.
But because of the hype, bought the same call in the ($$$) Acrylic. Harder to get a good sound out of it. I would have to 'warm up' in the car with it before sounding like a sick or dying goose.
Put it on the shelf and went back to the cheaper one. Sold the expensive one last year.
Don't believe the hype. Sort of like all the fancy new calibers in rifles. Get one if you want, but don't believe they will kill anything deader than the older 'standard' stuff will.
I would say if you have success with the old call, stick with it. Unless you just 'want' a new call. But you 'may' be disappointed in the new one that it is not 'magic'.

[Stein]

I did blow it a couple times in the field and the geese failed to magically appear.

I do like the call so far, it's a learning curve for sure but I noticed instantly being able to do things I couldn't with my old call.  Much more control over moans and the point where the reed breaks over.  I still sound like a goose being ran over by a bus but there is hope.

[h2ofowlr]

Too many options now days for goose calls.  Find one that fits your style and learn to use it well.  A good caller can run or tune most calls to sound decent or great.  Acrylic calls will last a long time as long as your insert doesn't fall out.  A larger bore is going to probably require more air or back pressure.  A smaller bore on the barrel, "inside diameter" will require less air to operate.  you will see variations in reeds, cut downs, etc.  Prior to covid you could try calls, I don't know if that option exists anymore.