Duck call Questions

[snagglepants]

Hey everyone,
I was wondering if any of you had some advice for a good first call to buy.  I don't have any calls right now, and I wanted to start practicing before the season starts.  Thanks!

[ICEMAN]

Go cheap.  My favorite so far is an old fashioned wood call made by Faulks; (WA-33).  This is a single reed call, easy to blow, and has a nice low sound I like. I have three, one in each car, and one at the computer. I practice calling in the cars, and feeding sounds at the computer... This call is cheap, I think under 13 bucks each.....

[Choclab]

Go cheap. 

Negative..... buy the best call you can afford, you will be happy you did. It is easier to learn on a quality call. This is even more true for SR goose calls. If you are kinda on a budget, look into the acrylic Tim Grounds Sweet Meet....it's a nice call for the price and it's a double reed which is a hair easier to blow. I would look into the Grounds My Little Girl or the RNT Micro Hen. Those are two sweet little calls with a little different sound for around the 100-120 range.

[ICEMAN]

 

Sorry Choclab, I am just a cheap ass! I always say " go cheap".  I just look into that glass case at all those pretty duck calls and cringe....

[Choclab]

Ya Iceman......good calls are DAMN expensive. I have spent over 300 on calls this year already. I'm not saying you can't be a good caller or sound good on a cheaper call, but the learning process will be a little faster and the sound quality will be a little better later on. Thats just my opinion, and we all know what opinions ar like.....lol

[SilkWWU]

I have to agree concerning spending the money.  I started on a cheap call, and learned the basics.  BUT, I went out and spent $150.00 on an Echo, and my skill ability went through the roof, it's much easier to sound better on a well made call, which in turn gives you the psychological advantage as well.  I brought out my call this morning, practicing on my way to work. 

PS:  My feed call is my weakest call.  Anyone have any advice on how to fine tune your feed call, or have any good repetitive exercises for improving it?

[Intruder]

I have to agree concerning spending the money.  I started on a cheap call, and learned the basics.  BUT, I went out and spent $150.00 on an Echo, and my skill ability went through the roof, it's much easier to sound better on a well made call, which in turn gives you the psychological advantage as well.  I brought out my call this morning, practicing on my way to work. 

PS:  My feed call is my weakest call.  Anyone have any advice on how to fine tune your feed call, or have any good repetitive exercises for improving it?

Practice by saying kitty, kitty, kitty really fast.  It seemed I could get that better than ticka, ticka, ticka.  Once I was able to do kitty fast I was able to transition to the ticka.   

As far as calls... my suggestion would be not to spend too much on your initial call until you understand what you like and have mastered it.  I'd hate to drop 150 on 1 and not like it.  Duck commander, Haydel, Primos make some decent calls for 20 bucks or so.  You can get the basics down and then upgrade.  You need a back up anyway. 

[Wacenturion]

Kinda depends on what works best when you're making that quick series of calls.  For me I always found it easier too say duga,duga,duga quickly, but everyone is different.
As far as calls, practice makes perfect.  I've got a few expensive custom calls, but when I hunt I always perfer to use my ol' Dye Calls from the 70's.  Got a couple of them.  Not an expensive call back then, a few bucks more than most off the shelf calls.  If you can find one today...ebay etc. grab it....you'll love it.   

[addicted]

better to be good with a crappy call than have a bunch of shiny ones that dont fit your lips for that "right sound"

[General Disarray]

Haydel's, Haydel's, Haydel's.... Come to Yakima and go to Hammer's in Union Gap, pick up a Haydel's Dr-85 duck call.  Simple to learn, easy to blow and it will kill ducks from day 1 even if you just do single quacks.  not to mention it's under $20. 

I've been duck hunting for 25+ years and high dollar calls don't kill any more ducks than a good haydel's call.  This sport has become a contest of who can fit $1000 worth of calls on a 6 drop lanyard.  It's no different than shooting a SBE II or an 870, they will both kill ducks but why spend the extra $$$ so your buddies can envy you...?

[quackslapper]

My suggestion would be to start with a double reed call.  Doubles are a bit easier to start with and have a great "ducky sound".  Single reeds can for the most part be blown a bit harder, and can create a wider range of sounds.

It doesn't take a high dollar call to bring in ducks, but you do have to learn the cadence of how ducks call.  Reading the birds is a whole aspect of it too (when to use what call).

For a first call go inexpensive, and as your skills get better then make the investment for a higher dollar call.

[Coasthunterjay]

Go cheap. 

Negative..... buy the best call you can afford, you will be happy you did. It is easier to learn on a quality call. This is even more true for SR goose calls. If you are kinda on a budget, look into the acrylic Tim Grounds Sweet Meet....it's a nice call for the price and it's a double reed which is a hair easier to blow. I would look into the Grounds My Little Girl or the RNT Micro Hen. Those are two sweet little calls with a little different sound for around the 100-120 range.

well i have to disagree with both of you......i blow on 130 dollar calls and also have a cheep primos wench call that is about 10 bucks and it gives me the best feeder cals that i can get out of any of my calls......

its all in what it does dfor you and what you like.......

i say start of easy, it is alot easier to fall back on a higher end primos call at about 40-50 bucks, something that is made to blow easier than a compatition call like RNT, Echo, or a custom HS.....

buy a hayles duck call at about 7 or 8 bucks, small clear and skinny calls inexpensive but works awesome, it was my first call and worked great to get my confidence up enoughso that i felt ok buying a more expensive call, but then again if you are ok with it buy a call that costs 130-150 bucks and try to learn on it and hate it and be out that big dollar amount.......


Do what quackdocotr says.....go inexpensive first and then as YOU GET BETTER, THEN go more expensive.........

thats a good .02cents........highly recommended.

[Choclab]

I think we need to put up some sound files Jay.....lol

[SpencerUSMC]

I think we need to put up some sound files Jay.....lol

haha Jay you don't want to go there!

[Coasthunterjay]

thanks spence.