duck calls

On my lanyard:

RNT Original
H.S. Ringer double reed
Winglock Goose Whisperer
Sean Mann Sweettalker goose call
 
Ducks POS - Superlab Bocote 1 reed
Goose POS - Superlab long flute with plastoid insert.

other than that I like Echo Calls, and RNT.

gcalls006.JPG


Not much of a 2-reed fan but I can blow most anycall except short reed
goose calls CANT DO ET.
 
Quackhead J-Frame (not thrilled with it - needs replacing)
Quackhead Goozilla (nice short reed)

Quackhead is the gen-next / cheapo / down-market brand from RNT. The way I call ducks, why spend $150 when I can scare them just as well with a $40 call?

Actually - that leads to a serious question: do you guys get good 'value' from expensive calls? (And yes, I am looking for justification/rationalization for a premium call...)
Happy Thanksgiving to you-all Americans.
Best,
Dano
 
Duck comander original
hydel wood duck call the clear plastic one (called in a pair of mallards in the timber with it this morn they were setting down 150 yrds out I hit the call they came right to me Go figure)
primos goose flute
3in1 wistel

On another lanyard I have a Buck gardner timber call single read clear platisc I like this call not sure if the birds do though.
primos wench single read sounds good to me have had a few come to it.
primos loreta hen (this call Looks cool But I cant use it to save my life. A friend used it once he made it sound awesome I cant with this call though).
quaker boy goose flute
 
Coupla 20 year old PS Olt's. I've hand tuned both of them many times and use them instead of more expensive calls I've collected over the years.

Olt may be the first mass produced call.

best,
Harry
 
If your a new englander the only call to use is a custom call by Jim Szeliga,from new market,NH
 
i have about 75 calls around my house and of all the calls i have used i have found that you get what you pay for, and i got one word for you zink
 
Wait a minute Dave, I think I have one of your calls... I have to go find it. I have just got back into duck hunting this past season. First season in 5 years. My gear is everywhere. Attic, cellar, closets. But I have a new pup and then you know what happens next... You go training, then , hunting again, and the juices start flowing and bam your hooked again..

I lost my goose call last day of the season 5 years back, and Beau ate my duck cal. So I went a bought a few Haydel calls. Can't blow the Goose call for beans... and the duck call just doesn't sound like my old one I had. I have been reading a lot about calls and been noticing the same stated comment. "You get what you pay for"
So I started asking around and such, found out you can really spend some money on a good call... So thats why I wondered what you all like to use and what you consider a good call.

Thanks again guys, Ed
 
Most higher priced calls are indeed better than 'cheap' calls. Sure the tech is the same, but tolerances, design and function are better. There are some bargains to be had though. Many of the economy lines are starting to close the gap lately. Echo poly Timbers, RNT Quack Head line, Saunders Reload, to name a few.

Of course you don't need to be a duck or goose virtuoso with a Stradivarius to call in birds.
 
I have too many duck calls to list from memory, and I have to admit I have not bought a truly expensive call, about $100.00 is my limit. I have multiple RNTs, Duck Commanders, Haydels, some fancy cocobolo ones, clear acrylic calls, Faulk and Mallardtone. As far as "you get what you pay for", in my case I disagree, I like the $9.95 Faulks and the less than $20.00 Mallardtone the best. Now our ducks are not as wary as they would be further south, but I grew up with those cheap wood calls and find them easier to control than some of the more expensive calls. Just my 2 cents.

That being said, even though I have hunted over forty years and consider myself a good caller, my calling is pretty much the same as when I first learned from Mr. Fink back in 1965. I occasionally pick up a new instruction CD to try and broaden my calling style. I have used the RNT, Haydels and Duck Commander CDs, do any of you have a suggestion for a good duck calling instructional CD that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks, John
John
 
i have to say that some of the cheap calls are ok at best, the only good cheap call i would buy is a buck gardner call, the only reason is say the best way to go in to pay good money for one is becouse if you have ever listen in at a calling contest you can here the diferance from cheaper one and the top end calls, and i also think that ducks know when a call is just that, a call, now you wont be a great caller just becouse you get a big money call, you still need to practice alot and alot and alot.
 
I have a couple if RNT's and a Buck Gardner or two. None of them were very expensive. I have found that I could buy a call that costs a gazillion dollars and I'd still sound like a ruptured duck. When hunting with others, I let them do the calling (unless they are worse then me) and when hunting solo, I keep the calling to a minimum.
 
I'm definitely in the "you get what you pay for" camp. I consider myself a decent caller, and excellent at sounding like a duck. I could spend $100, $250, $500 to "try" every cheap call on the market and so far the cheap ones I've blown don't suit me. Now, that isn't to say that every spendy call on the market will suit me, either. But a person can go to one of the sporting goods stores and try out the "nice" calls in the show case. I'm not sure what they'd say if you wanted to rip open every bubble pack call on the racks and try em out!

So the question might be, "How do you get the most out of your call?" After you've got the technique of quacking, greeting, and chuckling figured out, you listen to the ducks. You can learn a little from hunting videos and going to contests. But if you go to the marsh or the city park and listen to the ducks you will learn a) how to sound exactly like a duck and b) maybe even how to call. "How to call" means which sound to make and when to make it.

The beauty of a hand made call vs. a bubble pack call is the time spent finishing the call. Are you telling me that the call maker spends as much time tuning a $15 call as a $75-150 call? No way! And the quality of materials isn't the same either.

I have a molded Echo open water that I got for about $20 on clearance. I like it fine, but I only use it in windy cornfields because it's just plain rough. My main call is a coco Echo open water. It is 100x the call compared to the molded. I also picked up a real nice coco duck call from "some guy" at a decoy show for $35. I blew about 6 of his calls before I found one that really sounded nice.

For geese I use a Zink SR-1 and that's all I need to say about that!
 
I've got more goose calls than I know what to do with. I found, for the most part that most of the short reeds are about the same if you tune them the same. I made one out of PVC a few years back that has done well for me, but I also have a few that always stay on my lanyard. I have a Lewis Custom Calls Michigander, a Saunders Reload, and a Half breed. For duck calls, I have a Duck commander and a Lewis Custom Calls single reed.

Though it hasn't been used hunting yet, this call is shaping up to be my all time favorite duck call. It's made by our own Shawn Hollis. It looks real nice and all, but this thing just plain sounds like a duck! Easy to operate, plenty of volume, raspy, and chuckles great without getting stuck. I don't know how much he gets for them, but it's worth it!

ry%3D400


Sorry for the crappy pic, it doesn't do this call justice. Some thing is wrong with my camera.
 
Jim Szeliga's calls are the nuts! I have one and love it. I called in a nice flock of mallards this past weekend with it. Easy blowing but it can reach out and touch them when you need it. Great call. Hopefully, he will see this and post up his contact information. You need a Jim Z call on your lanyard for sure.


Best,
Nate
 
So we have Shawn Hollis and Jim Sz. to name two resident custom call makers, how many more are out there? I think I need a nice custom duck call on my lanyard. Also contact information for Shawn and Jim would be apprecieated.

Thanks,
John
 
I agree that the old tried and true is the way to go. Calls are made to attract Duck and Goose hunters not necessarially Ducks and Geese. A fishing tackle salesman once told me the same about fishing lures and I believe him. Thank goodness I don't feel as obligated to trade guns as some folks trade calls. I do carry an original Duck Commander as a spare. The DC was given to me by a friend and if it becomes a submarine call, I'm out no money.

The absolute best calls are illegal, but I sure would love to see some live decoys in action at least oonce.

When you decide on a call get a good instructional tape to go with it. Practice alone in your truck. That will keep the wife happy.

Whatever you do, have fun.

Best,
Harry
 
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