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Duck Calling Basics

jagermeister

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Ohio
First and foremost, I'd like to say that I am in no way an expert waterfowl caller. However, over the past 12 years I've practiced enough to be able to hold my own in a duck blind. Without instruction or mentoring, learning to call ducks can be a frustrating task for a beginner. In my opinion, one of the best resources for a beginning caller is the internet. There are thousands of sound bytes and video clips of instructional calling out there... this is just one more to add to the library. I'm going to apologize right off the bat for the relatively poor sound quality. The sound clips were recorded with a cell phone.

Let's start by going over the proper way to operate a duck call. All too often I see/hear people incorrectly operating a call. The correct way is to force air through the call with your diaphram, almost like you're huffing hot air onto a mirror to fog it up. What you don't want to do is blow into the call like you're blowing a whistle. Doing so will make it impossible to sound like a real duck, with the right inflection and air control. If you see someone blowing a duck call and their cheeks puff out, they're most likely doing it incorrectly. We could go into how one makes the "quack" sound, and if you'd like to know feel free to ask, but there are many many many videos around the internet that already cover this.

I'm going to go over some basic call types in this thread... explaining a bit about each one and how it's used, followed by a brief sound clip to help hammer things home. Again, I am far from an expert caller... and I'm sure there are plenty of guys on this forum that can call better than I... So if anyone would like to add anything to this thread, by all means please do.

Ok, let's get started. The most basic of all calls, and what you'll hear 90% of the time you're sitting in a public marsh, is the "Hail Call." This call is actually one that is impossible for a live mallard hen to make. It's loud, it's long, and it's main purpose is to get the attention of ducks that are off in the distance. Usually the hail call is a sequence of 7 to 14 notes, or quacks, with the first few notes being long and getting progressively shorter as the call goes on. Although it's a common call, it is most often misused, in my opinion. The hail call should only be used when the birds are far off and paying no attention. You have to understand that the ducks far away are not hearing this call the way that you're hearing it. They will only hear bits and pieces of the sequence, but the shear volume and length will increase your odds at getting their attention. Blow this call while the ducks are inside 100 yds and it's an almost guarantee that you'll make them flare away from you. Use the hail call to get their attention, and once they notice you, back off.

The hail call...
[video=youtube;vasAjho_Vys]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vasAjho_Vys[/video]


Once you have the attention of a flock and they turn your direction, you need to tone things down a bit. When calling ducks, you need to remember that the closer they get, the softer your calling should be... usually. There are of course certain exceptions, but those are rare occurences. The "Greeting Call" is similar to a hail call, except the notes aren't as long and the notes are fewer. A greeting call is typically only 3 to 7 quacks. With this call, you're trying to imitate a hen mallard, just sitting on the water, greeting new ducks as they fly over. It's a fairly relaxed call, with no real urgency to it.

The greeting call...
[video=youtube;rNpJ_RDyVtk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNpJ_RDyVtk[/video]


Alright so the ducks are now digging your spread... you see those wing tips slowing down... their looking hard, checking things out and such. Now's a good time for the "Lonesome Hen." This call is simply a series of short, spread-out, single quacks. You hear this a lot if you sit near a park or anywhere else you find a concentration of live birds. Again, this is another relaxed call... imitating a hen mallard that is content, yet looking for Ol' Mister Greenhead. As the ducks get closer, this is a good one to give them that extra spur of reassurance that things are nice and "safe" down there in your decoys.

The lonesome hen...
[video=youtube;PfcruCyH1ec]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfcruCyH1ec[/video]


So far, the ducks are working your spread pretty well. Maybe they came right in and you whacked a couple down... Maybe they flew over and circled the spread a time or two... But what do you do when they decide they're not interested? What if they come out of that last swing and start heading away from you, like they didn't like something? This is when you hit 'em with the "Comeback Call." Think of a comeback call like a hail call, but in reverse. Instead of the notes starting long and progressively getting shorter, a comeback call starts fast and slows down. As soon as you seem them flying away, hit them with a couple comeback calls. You can also add in a "Pleading Hen," which is very similar to a greeting call, but with much more urgency and emotion in the call sequence. That's the big thing about making comeback calls effective... you have to put an inflection of urgency in the call. You have to sound like a hen mallard that's just begging for some company. "No, please don't go! Come back here... it's safe I promise!"

The comeback call...
[video=youtube;H5Cebz02Yvw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Cebz02Yvw[/video]

The pleading hen...
[video=youtube;5aCebg20IRA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aCebg20IRA[/video]


This next one is a little bit tougher to pull off. It isn't totally necessary for getting birds to commit, but it adds a bit of extra realism to your calling that on occasion can make all the difference in the world. After all, realism is the name of the game in calling in waterfowl. I call this call the "Bouncing Hen," but it's sometimes referred to as a "hiccup," for obvious reasons. The great thing about this call is that it's simply another variation, and can be applied to any of the above-mentioned calls.

The bouncing hen...
[video=youtube;vcgQTH-vZZQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcgQTH-vZZQ[/video]


Alright, so we've gotten that flock of ducks to swing back around and give us another look... now what? It's simple, don't move, and start hitting them with the soft stuff again. Try a soft greeting call or two, maybe some more lonesome hens... you can also mix in some "Feeding Chatter." This is a call that's typically used on birds that are working close to your spread... mainly because it's not a loud call, and they won't hear it from far away. Live ducks make this sound when they're feeding around in groups and/or loafing. It's another contentment-type of call that just adds realism to the spread. Feeding chatter is what the ducks are used to hearing whenever they get close to another group of ducks. You'll even hear ducks making this chatter as they fly through the air in big groups. If you've been around other duck hunters, or watched a competition calling event, you've heard the familiar "Rolling Feed Chuckle." It's like a non-stop tic-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a or tuk-a-tuk-a-tuk-a-tuk-a. It sounds cool and everything, but in reality, it doesn't sound like a live duck... and remember, realism is what you're looking for right? In my opinion, the most realistic feeding chatter is a series of sharp, single notes, like tic tic tic tic tic or duh duh duh duh duh duh. Volume and tone can easily be manipulated by opening or closing your hand around the barrel of the call and changing inflection in your voice. The feeding chatter call, along with the lonesome hen and soft greetings, is a finishing call. This is a call you want to make to pull those birds inside that 40 yd mark so you can light 'em up.

Typical feeding chatter...
[video=youtube;pkFOz3JnOQk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkFOz3JnOQk[/video]


So what's it all sound like when strung together? Here's an example of a typical calling sequence at a flock of ducks. Imagine you're sitting there, and a flock appears off in the distance, say 3 or 400 yds away. You wan't to get on 'em and get their attention. Once they see you, bring 'em close with some content greeting and lonesome hen calls. They make one pass then decide they want to move somewhere else... get on 'em with some comeback calls. Luckily you're able to change their mind and they swing back around. Now get soft and real with 'em... finish those birds into the spread and call the shot!

[video=youtube;w4qojROxLfs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qojROxLfs[/video]



These are some of the basics of calling ducks... But that's only part of the equation. The real difference in success is one's ability to "read the birds." I don't care how good of a caller you are, if you can't read the birds correctly, you're going to have a difficult time bagging waterfowl. We can talk about reading birds here, or we could even make it another thread entirely. Another thing to mention is that sometimes calling to the ducks at all can hurt your chances. There are definitely certain occasions, especially hunting heavily-pressured late season birds, where less calling is better. Again, it's a whole 'nother topic all together.

I know we have quite a few experienced waterfowling members here at TOO, so if anyone would like to add anything, or disagrees with anything I've mentioned, please share your thoughts. This is an educational type of thread so there really are no wrong opinions. I hope that the information shared here will help those that are new to waterfowling, and even those that aren't but are new to calling in general.
 
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bthompson1004

Member
1,238
100
NWOhio!
Excellent information Jim...I for one, find this very helpful...just one question and I don't want to change the subject...do you prefer single reed or double reed?
 

jagermeister

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Ohio
Excellent information Jim...I for one, find this very helpful...just one question and I don't want to change the subject...do you prefer single reed or double reed?

Excellent question, man. Personally, I prefer a double reed call... for most occasions. Reason being, the areas that I hunt are usually either pressured hard or the birds are always going to be working close. Double reeds are usually slightly quieter than single reed calls, and I find that a loud wailing single reed will sometime spook the birds in pressured areas. That being said, I still like to carry a single reed with me when I'm hunting so that if I need to really reach out and touch one I can. IMO, double reeds are easier to run than single reed calls since they require less air pressure... However a lot of double reeds are prone to sticking when it's cold. Single reeds are usually a bit more versatile and less prone to sticking.

It's funny because my favorite call is the one that I didn't spend any money on. It's an Echo double reed... Back in 2004, while working at Pickerel Creek WA, I was out spraying purple loosestrife in the main marsh in one of the drawn-down units. As I went along I noticed something green down in the mud. I dug it up and sure as shit it was this duck call, packed completely full of mud. I could tell it was an Echo so I knew there was still hope for it. Only the guy that lost it knows how long it was buried in that marsh. I cleaned it up and it's been one of my go-to calls still to this day.
 

bthompson1004

Member
1,238
100
NWOhio!
Excellent question, man. Personally, I prefer a double reed call... for most occasions. Reason being, the areas that I hunt are usually either pressured hard or the birds are always going to be working close. Double reeds are usually slightly quieter than single reed calls, and I find that a loud wailing single reed will sometime spook the birds in pressured areas. That being said, I still like to carry a single reed with me when I'm hunting so that if I need to really reach out and touch one I can. IMO, double reeds are easier to run than single reed calls since they require less air pressure... However a lot of double reeds are prone to sticking when it's cold. Single reeds are usually a bit more versatile and less prone to sticking.

It's funny because my favorite call is the one that I didn't spend any money on. It's an Echo double reed... Back in 2004, while working at Pickerel Creek WA, I was out spraying purple loosestrife in the main marsh in one of the drawn-down units. As I went along I noticed something green down in the mud. I dug it up and sure as shit it was this duck call, packed completely full of mud. I could tell it was an Echo so I knew there was still hope for it. Only the guy that lost it knows how long it was buried in that marsh. I cleaned it up and it's been one of my go-to calls still to this day.

That's pretty cool about finding that Echo call...Wish I was able to find cool, useful chit like that at work but not likely in a refinery...anyway I have a Let'em Lite double reed acrylic call, RNT Quack Head double reed polycarbonate and Lohman's wood single reed...I can quack with both just fine (I think), but when I get on the feed call I find that the double reed seems to be sticking or I'm freezing the reeds with too much air pressure...because of this I have elected, so far, to use my single reed (cuz it's softer for close distance's anyways) for feeding calls...Now that I better understand that the double reeds require less air pressure it seems that I'm just trying to put too much air into the call...I need to work on feed calls anyway so I better practice with less air so I create a bad habit or something...that reminds me, any good practice tips for learning the feed call? Seems to be one of the hardest duck sounds to make correctly. Thanks
 
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ImpalaSSpeed96

Junior Member
561
60
NJ
Great write up JB. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I want to start duck hunting here in Ohio next year. It was unbelievable in ND...
 

jagermeister

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Ohio
That's pretty cool about finding that Echo call...Wish I was able to find cool, useful chit like that at work but not likely in a refinery...anyway I have a Let'em Lite double reed acrylic call, RNT Quack Head double reed polycarbonate and Lohman's wood single reed...I can quack with both just fine (I think), but when I get on the feed call I find that the double reed seems to be sticking or I'm freezing the reeds with too much air pressure...because of this I have elected, so far, to use my single reed (cuz it's softer for close distance's anyways) for feeding calls...Now that I better understand that the double reeds require less air pressure it seems that I'm just trying to put too much air into the call...I need to work on feed calls anyway so I better practice with less air so I create a bad habit or something...that reminds me, any good practice tips for learning the feed call? Seems to be one of the hardest duck sounds to make correctly. Thanks

Some calls get "clogged" up with spit more than others, too. I tend to get more spit in the call when feed chattering... so mine tend to stick on occasion as well. Double reeds can and will lock up if too much air pressure is used... so that could definitely be part of your problem. Also, make sure your reeds are clean and that no debris is in them.

Feed calls are difficult to give practice tips on because there are so many different methods to do it, and different methods work better for different people. You pretty much just have to experiment and find out what works best for you. What I do is get a good bit of air reserved in my lungs and let it out in short, high-pressure bursts, while sort-of saying "duh." "duh duh duh, duh duh, duh duh duh, duh duh" But really emphasize the "d" sound... that's where the burst of air comes from. You could also try saying "dit" or "tic" or "tac" or "dank". Again, you just have to play around with it and see what works for you. Once you get it down ok, you can use different "words" and inflections to change the tone of the feed chatter... like "duh duh duh, tic tic tic, tic tac tic, duh duh duh." You're not really saying words into the call... you're simply making your tongue and mouth go through the same motions as they would if saying these words. Make sense?

One thing I will tell you that was really helpful for me in learning to call, is DON'T GET CAUGHT UP ON SPEED. This goes for duck calling and goose calling especially. When learning the different calls, focus on air control and making the call sound right. Speed is something that will come naturally to you the more that you practice. You have to train your tongue and diaphram to make those subtle movements necessary for each type of call. Trying to go to fast right off the bat will only get you into bad habits.
 
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jagermeister

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Ohio
Great write up JB. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I want to start duck hunting here in Ohio next year. It was unbelievable in ND...

Funny you should mention that. My buddy Steve just went out to ND a couple weeks ago and they had a real blast. He said the duck hunting in Ohio just isn't the same after hunting out there. He keeps trying to get me to go, but I'm afraid it would ruin me. lol
 

matt hougan

Junior Member
338
0
Dayton area
Anyone can kill ducks on the "x". The true art to duck hunting is not scouting but being able to turn ducks or geese that are not headed your direction. I have been in numerous situations were being able to call and more importantly able to read birds made the difference. For most part your right but having the "x" is not always an option ir possible. For me the ultimate thrill if hunting ducks and geese is getting them to commit. Its proof you have completely sold the illusion. Not to steal Jbrowns thread but single reeds are far more versatile then doubles.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Anyone can kill ducks on the "x". The true art to duck hunting is not scouting but being able to turn ducks or geese that are not headed your direction. I have been in numerous situations were being able to call and more importantly able to read birds made the difference. For most part your right but having the "x" is not always an option ir possible. For me the ultimate thrill if hunting ducks and geese is getting them to commit. Its proof you have completely sold the illusion. Not to steal Jbrowns thread but single reeds are far more versatile then doubles.

I couldn't agree with you more, Matt... about all of that, single reeds included. When you're on the X, it's pretty dang tough to not kill your birds. Hunting fields or potholes in between the Xs, or hunting public land around multiple groups of hunters, that's when guys that can truely blow a duck or goose call are successful.
 

matt hougan

Junior Member
338
0
Dayton area
I couldn't agree with you more, Matt... about all of that, single reeds included. When you're on the X, it's pretty dang tough to not kill your birds. Hunting fields or potholes in between the Xs, or hunting public land around multiple groups of hunters, that's when guys that can truely blow a duck or goose call are successful.


One morning I hunted with Jim Peters on the river by Bessey power. We had a guy set up up river from us about 200 yards away. He had tons of decoys and three spinners. When he had ducks working we simply watched and enjoyed the show. We had a lone duck work our meager spread. Yhat knuckle head was blowing the ass end out of his call trying to take our one duck from us. Annoyed, I recipricated. Every flock of ducks that lifted from the raft of ducks on the lake had to pass us to get to him. I worked my call (single reed) until my lips blistered. He never fired another shot. None of us could believe that aggressive calling could call ducks away from that many spinners. Jim was so taken back he still talks about it. D'Arcy Egan even wrote an article in the Plain Dealer about that hunt and the power of quality calling.
 

jagermeister

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Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
One morning I hunted with Jim Peters on the river by Bessey power. We had a guy set up up river from us about 200 yards away. He had tons of decoys and three spinners. When he had ducks working we simply watched and enjoyed the show. We had a lone duck work our meager spread. Yhat knuckle head was blowing the ass end out of his call trying to take our one duck from us. Annoyed, I recipricated. Every flock of ducks that lifted from the raft of ducks on the lake had to pass us to get to him. I worked my call (single reed) until my lips blistered. He never fired another shot. None of us could believe that aggressive calling could call ducks away from that many spinners. Jim was so taken back he still talks about it. D'Arcy Egan even wrote an article in the Plain Dealer about that hunt and the power of quality calling.

That's awesome, man... A textbook example of what solid calling can do for you as a duck hunter. I know it's off topic, but your response brings up another point. What is it with guys trying to call birds away from you that are obviously working your spread??? That's got to be one of the most common-sensical unwritten waterfowling laws... yet so many people display complete disregard for what you're trying to do. Other than skybusters, there's not much that chaps my ass more than someone trying to call committed ducks off my spread.
 

matt hougan

Junior Member
338
0
Dayton area
Well, being a sportsman does not make you honorable. Some guys are new and havent been taught any manners, some guys simply dont care. Teach your kids right and help bring up newbies on venues like this is all we can do. What I cant stand is the guy who thinks opening day is a great time to practice. All day forcing me to listen to thier wounded cat calls.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Well, being a sportsman does not make you honorable. Some guys are new and havent been taught any manners, some guys simply dont care. Teach your kids right and help bring up newbies on venues like this is all we can do. What I cant stand is the guy who thinks opening day is a great time to practice. All day forcing me to listen to thier wounded cat calls.

Hahahaaa... ya that's a good one too. Me and Carpn were out last weekend and I heard the strangest calling ever... I wasn't sure what I was hearing. The guy downwind of us blowing a "Kaannnnkkkk ka-kank, kaaannnkkkk ka-kank, kaaankkkkk ka-kank." Over and over and over again. That was a new one for me lol.