Duck calls?

KingFisher85 · 12-15-2002, 10:03 PM

I have only been duck hunting a few years now and I have yet to start calling. So heres a question for you duck hunters. OH ya, mallards is what I'm going for.

What would be the best call for ducks in this area?

What would be the best call for a person like myself to start out with?

And what types of calls should I get?

Wooden or plastic calls?

Thanks

Chum King · 12-15-2002, 10:33 PM

My favorite call has been the OLT DR115. It is a wooden double reed call. You'll probably have to mail order one, as I haven't seen one of these in any stores for years.

I also have been using a Primos Wench the last couple of years, and it seems to work fairly well. I know BiMart carries them and you can probably find them at some other local stores.

Pudgy · 12-16-2002, 10:51 AM

How much money do want to spend on a call?

steelheadslayer · 12-16-2002, 02:17 PM

I've done well with a Haydels in different makeups. Currently I'm using the cajun squealer and love the versatility I can get out of it. I might try the redleg mallard call sometime this year.

jet · 12-16-2002, 02:53 PM

Haydel's Red Leg Mallard all the way...

Also the DR-85 ( Clear barrel) by Haydel's, at times you need to change calls the suttle differences can make a big difference. The #1 call on my list is now the Red Leg.

Jet~~~

willametteriveroutlaw · 12-16-2002, 02:59 PM

A third vote for Haydels, They sound really good for the money

Lured In · 12-16-2002, 03:54 PM

Haydel's make some great calls for starting out. In addition to the DR-85 and the Red Leg, take a look at the DC-87 which is a cut down (short barrel) version of the DR-85. I really like it and it sound very ducky, just not real loud.

The other is the Primos Timber Wench, double reed. It blows easy, is loud and has yet to stick on me.

Keep in mind, that as you learn to call, the most important thing to master is a good SINGLE QUACK. This is the foundation and by itself will turn ducks if you can do it well.

Good luck.

Flatfish · 12-16-2002, 04:36 PM

P.S Olt is out of business. A sad day.
For now, stay away from the single reed calls. Too much too soon.
Haydels makes the "cajun squealer", a great call that is ducky and takes a lot of air before it breaks. The DR 85 is a fine call too, but is much harder to learn HOW to talk duck with than others it is very soft-requires very little air to blow( this matters to you cause , most folks who are just learning tend to blow WAY too hard and from the cheek,which is exactly wrong). Haydels makes a "big barrel" call that is easy to learn how to blow and sounds good. Buck Gardner makes a double reed ported call that sounds great too." Double Nasty" they call it. A friend blows one of these and sounds OK with it. If it sounds OK in his hands, it should murder them in someones hands who actually practices.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that if it sounds bad, the call has something wrong with it. It works fine. Do not but 28 different calls thinking the first 27 were bad. All the calls at joes and bi mart will call in ducks. The makers don't stay in business putting out bad product. Get 1 or 2 calls and blow them til it sounds right. It will take a lot of time. Keep them in your car and blow when you are driving( please don't hit someone while honking away with your best highball...it's bad form) and call all year. By next season you should be able to talk duck.
For what it's worth, I would be willing to bet that you will kill more ducks with a pintail/ widgeon whistle than with a mallard call. But it aint as much fun as a highball-chatter sorta thing.
Good luck.
Mark and the dog, who thinks the comeback call is best.

KingFisher85 · 12-16-2002, 04:54 PM

Pudgy
I don't know how much I will spend on just one call. What is the price on most calls?

Tilla · 12-16-2002, 05:37 PM

Acrylics $125
Polycarbonates $30-$75
Assorted space age polymers $12-$35
Wood $12-$125
All prices approximate.

Lured In · 12-16-2002, 06:06 PM

Tilla....

RNT Acrylic call...$125
Top of the line cork decoys $2000/dz
Gortex breathable wader...$300
Filson Jacket...$250

Calling in THIS guys ducks with a $10 call, while wearing rubber waders, a flannel shirt over economy decoys.....PRICELESS. :tongue: :grin:

KF85...a decent call should run you between $12-$25 bucks and should get you started. Both Fisherman's and Joe's have a decent selection. Check and both and just pick one.

steelheadslayer · 12-16-2002, 06:38 PM

I believe the redleg mallard is around $30-35. I'm not sure because I haven't checked in awhile. The DR85 will probably be around $15. I agree with the whistle and if you can learn to use it, the Duck Commander mallard drake call is awesome. Good Luck. Learn to make the single quack sweet sounding and you're well on your way.

Tilla · 12-16-2002, 11:01 PM

I guess the key is to get a decent call and learn to blow it well and learn to read the birds well.
The more expensive calls like Acrylics will not swell and deal with moisture better and hold up very well when the dog chews on it.

crabbait · 12-16-2002, 11:05 PM

All good advice, KF85. I own every call mentioned (yep, including two Big Guys Best acrylics, two Timber Wenches (one hardwood the other polymer), Olt, the Red Leg Haydels and the squealer and the cut down (2 models).

They are all good calls and work better than I can work them. I will be in Woodland in the morning and will let you try them if you can meet me.

I recommend the Primo's Timber Wench as the best call for the kind of money you want to spend. It will do everything that you need done and can replicate the sound of two different birds just by covering or uncovering the hole in the side.

All the Haydels are also good calls but the Timber Wench, in my opinion, is a little easier to learn and fits a little beter in the hand (except the Redleg which is shaped very similar to the Wench).

Shoot me an e-mail and I will hook you up.