Show Notes:
Calling is one of the most engaging parts of duck hunting. It is a real life example of talking to the animals! On this episode I talk about how to get started in the world of ducks call, both what calls to purchase and how to use them.
Take Aways
- With few exceptions, most duck hunters only need a mallard hen duck call.
- There are only two calls you need to be proficient with to get started, the quack and the hail call. If you can do those you can call in ducks.
- For new hunters especially, less calling is usually best. Let your call get their attention and let your decoys to the rest.
- There are lots of calls and types of calls on the market. Wood calls, plastic calls, polycarbonate calls, ceramic calls, the list goes on. Not to mention single reed, double reed, triple reed, and don’t forget about different kinds of reeds. The sky is the limit.
- You do not need a call with lots of bells and whistles, great flexibility of tonal range, or excessive resonance capabilities for more volume. You just a call that is easy to blow and sounds like a duck. That’s it.
- There is no reason to pay for a lot of features that you are not skilled enough to make use of or appreciate. And even then, there is debate if a $150 call really appeals to ducks any more than a $30 call.
- I recommend getting something inexpensive that is robust and reliable.
I called in my first duck on my first ever duck hunt with a Ryloh Game Calls mallard hen call. This call has three traits that I really like:
- It is easy for beginners to blow and make ducks sounds.
- It is easy to blow loudly.
- It is 100% reliable. I have more expensive and fancier calls that need disassembled and cleaned regularly or they stop working. This one works all the time, every time, I have never once cleaned it.
Riley is not a sponsor and I get no kickbacks, but at my request he agreed to give a 10% discount to all New Hunters Guide listeners. Just go to his website https://rylohgamecalls.com and use the code nhgcast at checkout for the 10% discount.