Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: hdshot on February 12, 2015, 01:32:56 PM
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Just wondering if anyone has any luck with mallard drake calls? I have tried one for a few years now in all conditions and can say it has never helped my blind bag a duck. I like the widgeon and pintail sounds and get some responses but nothing to swear by it. :dunno:
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I feel like they are very useful in the late season, especially on single mallard drakes, whistle at them and if they are interested they are usually a dead duck. I've also killed quite a few single drake pintail using a mallard drake whistle, not sure why but it works for me.
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I've hunted with a bunch of different hunters in a bunch of different locations and not one of them has a "drake" call on their lanyard. Some have a green whistle in their pocket that can do a pintail/widgeon call or drake call, but they rarely use it.
I think the hen mallard duck call has some sort of addictive power to it, the loud noise to a hunter is like a flame to a moth they just can't leave it alone.
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I have some mallard drake calls, but don't use them. I have the green wingsetter whistle that I make drake sounds on. Great for call shy birds or fog. As said a single mallard quack and not over calling can be a winning ticket for landing them.
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One good thing about a drake call is you can hand one to anyone in the blind and they can make a passable sound with it in almost immediately. They can work ;) Especially when mixed in with other calling. We've had some of our best shoots (westside=mixed widgeon/teal/pins/ringers/mallards) making a lot of noise with different calls.
Of course sometimes the opposite is true and less is more.
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I have had very good luck with a drake call over the years. Use it every time I go out.
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I've found alone... mallard drake doesn't do much as a call...
But, if you're hunting partner is great at calling, mixing in your Drake call can help a lot.
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I've had more luck using my pintail whistle to make drake calls than calling pintails fore sure!
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Many times late in the season I have ducks land outside the decoys and talk them in far enough to jump them and get a shot at them. The Tim Grounds Finisher works best for me. You can get a regular conversation going with th drakes.