goose call???

lineman117 · 02-13-2007, 07:33 PM

What goose call is best for a beginner?
any tips to getting started??

D3smartie · 02-13-2007, 07:44 PM

I would start by trying to use a short reed. Much mo betta than a flute for a lot of reasons.
Step 1. Buy Breakthrough II from Dave Smith.
Step 2. Buy an easy blowing call. Like a winglock whisperer.
Step 3. Practice, Practice Practice.

Get Bit · 02-13-2007, 07:50 PM

Very sound advice from D3S. You might also want to get Shawn Stahl's video Honker Talk.

Get Bit

Fisher16 · 02-13-2007, 07:50 PM

Im new to goose hunting as well this past season was my first, but the easiest call I have found so far is my ZINK PC-1 (Power Clucker) I also use a Basin Abomination IceMan and a Saunders I-5 Killer.

These calls have put Honkers to cacklers on the ground. I think I use my PC-1 about 3 times as much as the I-5 killer and about 10 times more than the IceMan. Mostly locally here within 30 miles of Salem.

If you can blow a call then go to one of the main retailers and try some out for yourself. If you cant yet ask someone there if they have any goose hunters working and have them blow a few for you and give their opinion. Thats how I got started. Sportsmans here in Salem.

I agree with the advice about CD's and DVD's. I have a Dave Smith CD I got from a friend and my IceMan came with a great instructional CD also.

goosegunner · 02-13-2007, 08:07 PM

when i first started calling i had a hard time finding a call that i liked and could blow well.I finally ended up getting a Bill Saunders call and thats all i blow now,and i have a whole box full of calls i have a hard time blowing.So its deffently a trial and error show until you find the right one.

lineman117 · 02-13-2007, 08:39 PM

does it make a difference between an acrylic call on one that is a little less expensive? or is it better to pony up and throw down the money?

sprigkiller09 · 02-13-2007, 08:47 PM

I find it doesnt matter whether it is acrylic or not. As long as you can make it sound like a goose. I really am a fan of BA calls.

DukAddict · 02-13-2007, 08:54 PM

Shawn Stahls Honker Talk for at home practicing, and Dave Smiths Break Through II for in the car. Try to get with another caller as well that is experienced and will break you on picking up bad habits. Good luck

Brett Neffendorf

Hogwild · 02-13-2007, 09:01 PM

I would look at one of the wing lock calls. They are fairly inexpensive, sound very good and if you need to take the call a part to clean the reed or tone board they are super easy to retune, the reed only sets in one position. Once you get the hang of using a short reed you could move on to a more advanced call.

wife&3kids · 02-13-2007, 09:06 PM

Go to Sportsmans and try a few.. Bring an alcohol wipe..
Where are you going to be hunting and for what subspecies?

I have a Foiles Straight Meet Honker and a Basin Abomination Iceman for honkers and I only use the Iceman because it is easier for me to blow.

For tavs and lessers, I like the I-5 killer by Bill saunders.. I thought I saw someone with a new lesser call from Saunders, but I could be mistaken.

For Cacklers, I like the Saunders BC Minima as it sounds true to me. Some like the Basin Abomination C2, but it was harder for me to make a decent sound (not than I can make them on any call)

Dave Smith · 02-13-2007, 09:17 PM

Boy, I would agree with every word said so far. the Power Clucker is a little different from most of the other calls so it's kind of a good one to commit to and stick with or avoid, no in between (but there are other calls in the "line" so you could still add other calls down the road). The Winglocks are not tune-able but sound great just the way they are and very easy to get goosey sounds in a hurry. Generally speaking, the calls that are capable of making a great variety of sounds and volumes are also the hardest to learn and to blow (eg: Saunders traffic). The easier calls usually are slightly more limited so you kind of ask yourself what kind of a commitment you intend to make. With a few exceptions, acrylic will make a richer sound and sometimes easier to make richer, goosier sounds. Injection molded calls can be easy to blow but can take more skill to be rich, goosey and ready to kill with. I would look into a Saunders red Zone. just got one at the Sportsman's Show and it's pretty cool. It's acrylic and has a great range but makes the best low-end stuff of any un-broken call I have ever heard- even makes great Tav sounds. Lot's of good ones out there, though! Basin Abominations are cool, too. Dave

thehunt · 02-13-2007, 09:18 PM

wife&3kids has asked the most important question. It all depends on what you are hunting. I wouldn't buy a widgeon call if I was hunting mallards.

On my lanyard, the I-5 is by far the most versatile call for big and small geese. Also a very easy call to blow. Good luck and remember, for many goose hunters their call is their biggest enemy.

water and sky · 02-13-2007, 09:53 PM

Dave's Breakthrough II CD was in my truck's CD player alot last spring and fall. Alot of fun.

hunt em up · 02-14-2007, 01:25 AM

I really like the Foiles Strait Meat Honker, very user friendly call.

ubernew · 02-14-2007, 08:42 AM

I have heard that the TC guts from Grounds are very easy to learn on. I blown some, by far the best guts ever. Stay away from the Bad Grammar CD. It is terrible and a waste of time.

Quackhead · 02-15-2007, 10:07 AM

If you're buying acrylic I would look at the Zink lil' man (LM-1)
I love it and it is very easy to blow. But I also second the strait meat honker call.
If you don't want to spend the money then most of these acrylic makers make the same calls with poly instead.

02-15-2007, 11:37 AM

I bought a "Fasttalker" from Perfomance Game Calls....really easy to use!

lineman117 · 02-16-2007, 09:14 PM

thanks for all your help i just bought a little man from zink
now the hard part learning to make a good sound

Eric Strand · 02-16-2007, 11:26 PM

Ubernew, I'm interested to hear why you think the Bad Grammar CD by Scott Threinen and Craig Rosenau isn't any good??

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

ubernew · 02-19-2007, 08:02 AM

Fleece,

I understand that it is a different type of system. I think that it is built more for an advanced caller. I think Shawn and Dave's CD's are much easier for a new caller to learn from. I think bad grammar has some good hunting info on it... but it lacks good info on how to blow a call. It is alot of I'll make this sound now you try to do it. I don't care for that type of system. I really don't care for his Jim Rome impression. I could of really done without that. Last thing... How many honkers do you hunt in the valley? Those sounds and info on that CD is 95% honker sound's and info. How much does a Cacker or lesser moan or hick-up? What sound do you make to kill litte geese? Honk????or really fast high pitched clucks??? I think learning to make all of the sounds makes you better caller, but how many of those sounds do you really use in a humting smaller geese?