What duck call should I get?

[thinhorn_AK]

Just getting into duck hunting, there are lots of different calls out there.

Which one should I get? Budget isn’t an issue, I’d like to get ones I’ll be happy with for a long time rather than buying cheap stuff that I’ll want to replace relatively quickly.

Thanks!!!

 

[KurtR]

Just getting into duck hunting, there are lots of different calls out there.

Which one should I get? Budget isn’t an issue, I’d like to get ones I’ll be happy with for a long time rather than buying cheap stuff that I’ll want to replace relatively quickly.

Thanks!!!

Well I like my zink but it’s like having Jimi Hendrix guitar you still can’t play it like him. Learn on a cheap single read and when you advance in calling abilities and learn what you like in a call then I would spend the money. I’m not much of a duck caller so I got a zink power hen ph2 off Camo fire for like 50 bucks. When to call is more important than the call. Tips and tails. Now goose calls I like blowing those and practice about every night

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Well I like my zink but it’s like having Jimi Hendrix guitar you still can’t play it like him. Learn on a cheap single read and when you advance in calling abilities and learn what you like in a call then I would spend the money. I’m not much of a duck caller so I got a zink power hen ph2 off Camo fire for like 50 bucks. When to call is more important than the call. Tips and tails. Now goose calls I like blowing those and practice about every night

Makes sense, I’m just realizing that it takes more than just blowing into a call.

Why do you prefer goose calls over duck calling?

 

[Taudisio]

I have owned and tried a ton of calls and helped a lot of people start. By far and away the best starter duck call is the buck gardner double nasty II.
For goose call, it’s the zink power clucker.

$60 will get you started and both calls are easy to blow and sound good, and will still run when wet.

 

[ianpadron]

Boy that's a bottomless pit...so many great options from 10 bucks all the way up into the $2-300 range.

My 2 favorite calls are ironically 2 of my cheapest, a Buck Gardner Spitfire I scooped on clearance for like 20 bucks and some cool plastic double reed a fella from Arkansas threw me for giving him a few bird/fish spots to try while he was working up in MT.

I'd start out with a double reed from Buck Gardner, Echo, Zink etc until you get good enough to know what you're looking for, and then go blow some real coin on a custom that'll look nice on your lanyard and is designed around your calling preferences.

What kind of habitat are you hunting? Assuming if AK big open salt marshes but could be wrong. That'll play a big role in the type of call you want

 

[TxLite]

Killed a bunch with my Zink atm green machine.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Boy that's a bottomless pit...so many great options from 10 bucks all the way up into the $2-300 range.

My 2 favorite calls are ironically 2 of my cheapest, a Buck Gardner Spitfire I scooped on clearance for like 20 bucks and some cool plastic double reed a fella from Arkansas threw me for giving him a few bird/fish spots to try while he was working up in MT.

I'd start out with a double reed from Buck Gardner, Echo, Zink etc until you get good enough to know what you're looking for, and then go blow some real coin on a custom that'll look nice on your lanyard and is designed around your calling preferences.

What kind of habitat are you hunting? Assuming if AK big open salt marshes but could be wrong. That'll play a big role in the type of call you want

I’m so new to this that it’s got my head spinning, a buddy of mine hooked me up with some decoys, I’ve bombed a bunch of $$$ on a few shotguns, I already have a boat so that’s good.

As far as habitat, it could be anything from sitting on a bluff overlooking the sea, to hitting islands along a river to hiking or packrafting into smaller lakes to open lakes that are 30 miles long. I haven’t really done enough to narrow it down to an area to focus on but lots of options here.

Right now my goals are to:
-shoot a bunch of skeet
-check out areas to see what like
-practice calling

 

[KurtR]

Makes sense, I’m just realizing that it takes more than just blowing into a call.

Why do you prefer goose calls over duck calling?

I can get geese to react more. Here it’s more about the spinner and being on the x. I give the ducks a few quacks on the turn or if they are going away. With the geese I can call them right into the ground and convince them it’s the place to be. I really like calling at specks but that call is a whole nother animal. Still trying to get it perfected.

 

[Taudisio]

Un-pressured geese and ducks can easily be persuaded to come into decoys with calls (which I assume is most of Alaska). Birds that have been called to/hunted know where they want to go and you have to be on the X. Once you learn how to use some back pressure with the calls, they all get pretty easy. Learning to identify ducks while they are flying will also help a lot. Whistling to a widgeon or pintail is a lot more effective than mallard quacking at them. I will not go duck hunting without a mallard hen call, a Canadian goose, and a whistle, (and a speck call if they are a potential). You can call to multiple species with the first 3. A mallard call will obviously call in mallards, but you can imitate diver ducks, teal, spoonbills, and gadwall. Canadian goose call can be blown like a snow goose. The whistle can do pintail, wigeon, wood ducks, drake mallard, and teal.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Un-pressured geese and ducks can easily be persuaded to come into decoys with calls (which I assume is most of Alaska). Birds that have been called to/hunted know where they want to go and you have to be on the X. Once you learn how to use some back pressure with the calls, they all get pretty easy. Learning to identify ducks while they are flying will also help a lot. Whistling to a widgeon or pintail is a lot more effective than mallard quacking at them. I will not go duck hunting without a mallard hen call, a Canadian goose, and a whistle, (and a speck call if they are a potential). You can call to multiple species with the first 3. A mallard call will obviously call in mallards, but you can imitate diver ducks, teal, spoonbills, and gadwall. Canadian goose call can be blown like a snow goose. The whistle can do pintail, wigeon, wood ducks, drake mallard, and teal.

What does “on the x” mean?

 

[dallen]

Birds in AK don’t need much calling. Mostly just try to draw their attention to your decoys. A double reed call is good for learning, but timing is what you’ll learn as you go. The x (where the birds are using) in AK isn’t much of a thing……you can pretty much figure out where the birds are flying and put yourself in the path. The x applied to field hunting would be the spot birds are feeding. If you find birds feeding in a particular spot, then set up on that spot the next day, that’s hunting the x.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Birds in AK don’t need much calling. Mostly just try to draw their attention to your decoys. A double reed call is good for learning, but timing is what you’ll learn as you go. The x (where the birds are using) in AK isn’t much of a thing……you can pretty much figure out where the birds are flying and put yourself in the path. The x applied to field hunting would be the spot birds are feeding. If you find birds feeding in a particular spot, then set up on that spot the next day, that’s hunting the x.

Right on, thanks for the explanation,

 

[JMasson]

RM Custom Calls

World Championship calls built for both the calling stage and the duck blind.

rmcustomcalls.com

I own a FTM and a .410. The FTM can scream and has a lot of rattle on the bottom end. The .410 isn’t a very loud call but has a very nasally rattle to it that I love. Both are very easy to use and learn on. Stump is a vet and a really good guy to work with. Hands down the best calls I’ve used in over 30 years of hunting ducks

 

[Wheels]

I'll second the RM Calls, I have a CWF and really like it, Also, look at JJ Lares calls, either the hybrid or T-1.

 

[huntineveryday]

A double reed call will be easier to use at first, but you will be limited with what you can do with it. A single reed has a longer learning curve, but more versatility once you gain some experience.

I would find a polycarbonate double reed and a polycarbonate single reed to start. Zink PH2, RNT Quackhead, Echo Polycarbonate Trash Talker, or the Haydel's DR-85 would be some good double reeds to start with and could have you hunting next week. Ideally I would get a ploycarb single reed from the same company so you can tell the difference, then after you get the basics down you can start progressing to some different sounds on the single reed. Then next year look for an acrylic single reed if you feel limited by the calls you have.

Or you could go straight to the top and start with a call from https://rmcustomcalls.com/ or JJ Lares. I love my single reed RNT's as well.

 

[GARLICSALT]

Best beginner duck call known to man is the HAYDEL'S DR85, that being said, tons of seasoned duck hunters keep this call on their lanyard for obvious reasons.
Sounds the best
Very simple to run
About $20

And remember, Don't over cook them!

 

[ianpadron]

Best beginner duck call known to man is the HAYDEL'S DR85, that being said, tons of seasoned duck hunters keep this call on their lanyard for obvious reasons.
Sounds the best
Very simple to run
About $20

And remember, Don't over cook them!

The DR85s are so good.

 

[CorbLand]

I like the Echos. They seem to meet the good call good price for me. Had one for nearly 10 years and it’s still going strong. It’s been full of sunflower seeds and Copenhagen more then once. Clean it up and it keeps calling.

DiamondWood, Cocobolo, Hedge, Bocote, Tambote Wooden Duck Calls

Echo Double Reed Polycarbonate DiamondWood, Cocobolo, Hedge, Bocote, African Blackwood, Tambote Wooden Duck Calls for Fowl Hunting in closer range.

echocalls.com

 

[Hnthrdr]

If you are in AK, you have a short duck season, but some of the best duck hunting around. I’d get a simple jerk rig set up if you are hunting still water, learn about set ups, hides, calling is a ton of fun and can be rewarding, but often it’s a good hide, good decoy position and a little motion that brings ducks in. Duck hunting has to be near the top in terms of money pits haha I love it, but I’m in agreement with these guys start off with 1-2 mid level calls before going full bore on the high end custom stuff. I like a lot of echo’s all wood stuff. Zink has some great stuff too. Honestly best call for your buck is a 6-1 whistle. Probably brought in more ducks, wigeon, mallards, and teal, and pintail with that thing than any other call.

 

[KurtR]

The whistle is magical some times a couple squeaks and they just u turn and dump in