Duck Call Help

Fish Hawg · 11-16-2003, 01:06 PM

Well it's that time of the year for the duck call help so here it goes.
[img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] I am in the market for a new duck call, I hunt cornfields and some open water and wanted to retire my old P.S. OLT duck call my dad gave me. I want an acrylic call not wood, also I want the call to easily blow a feeding chuckle, and a come back call. I am a novice [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] , what are the advantages of a double reed vs. a single? The price range is open, I want a good call that will last, and be able to get extra reeds for it.
Thanks in advance
Ross

Chromaflage · 11-16-2003, 01:20 PM

To me, double reed calls have a fuller, raspier tone than single reeds. In the past 10 years I've been waterfowling I've gone through about 15 different calls until I settled on a couple that seem to work well for me. My main call is a Haydel's Red Leg - fairly easy to blow and i can call quietly on those calm days with no wind or rain. I also use a Primo's Wench for loud, ear piercing, high pitched hails - higher frequencies cary farther than lower frequencies. I've been able to turn ducks from about 500 yards out with my Wench when I can't with my Red Leg.

My $0.02.

ORS

[ 11-16-2003, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]

Gun Rod Bow · 11-16-2003, 01:47 PM

I'm not afraid to throw down on some quality hunting gear, but the duck call that has always produced the most "meat" for me is the Haydels Dual Tone Mallard. I think they are like $15 bucks.

JMO

jet · 11-16-2003, 04:21 PM

I agree with GRB on the Haydel�s call, I just looked and it is the DR-85. In the past it was my go to call when the Kum Duck just did not do it or the reed broke, like they always do. Recently I have been using the Haydel�s Red leg mallard and actually have been using the DR- 85 less and less. The Red leg has volume and can also call quietly when the birds are close and working, it is easy to spook birds when they are close. Some people say do not call when they are close. I say you need to continue calling the way you bought them in, just change the volume and type of calling.

This post is really making me wish that I hunted today.

Jet~~~

nitrobass · 11-16-2003, 05:09 PM

The DR85 is a great call, especially for beginners. Really a ducky noise and almost impossible to overblow it. That said I dont carry one anymore. I really prefer the versatility of a single reed call. I carry two Rich-n-tone calls. I like the acrylic for calm days and the poly-carb model for nasty(like today) days. I'm a huge believer in call volume and that call can really belt out the notes

live to fish · 11-16-2003, 05:14 PM

Sounds like i need to try out this Haydel's Red Leg call.I have used an Olt66 for as long as i can remember and it's never done me wrong.
Sometimes i even get ducks to come in to it :grin: .But i don't mind checking out new calls,you never know i might find another one i like one of these days.

suckerfish · 11-16-2003, 05:21 PM

RNT Call work great for me. I use an Original Acrylic for open water, small water and feilds. These calls are very versital when operated correctly. I also carry an RNT Original wood in African black wood that is just nasty sounding. Both of these call are true performers. However, you should try and match your calling style to the call that best complemts one another. In order to do this you need to blow many calls. Get yourself to Sportsman Warehouse and try some call and see what fits.

Good Hunting

suckerfish

Fish Hawg · 11-16-2003, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the great info

, the red leg sounds like it's a favorite, I was looking hard at the R-N-T calls. Has any one used Big Guy's Best brand of calls

?

Crashin' Bait · 11-16-2003, 06:21 PM

I use both an RNT original and an Echo Timber. The RNT is great for reaching out and pulling those sky hi birds. The Echo is a lot quieter call than the RNT. Therefore, I use the Echo timber mostly to finish birds in the blocks. I really don't know if there is a particular call that is easy to "feed chuckle" with. All I can say is the feed call, either single or double cut, takes practice. So, practice, practice, practice. :smile:

Dr Strangelove · 11-16-2003, 08:48 PM

I picked up a RNT Hunter Cocobolo/Polymer from Sportsmen's today with a little "mad money" I squirreled away from the war commission - great real duck sound for a third the cost of its competitors. Good hail volume, doesn't break into another tone or squeal. Single reed. Something about cocobolo that just resonates so well. Comes with extra reed and cork.

For my softer close in call, I really like the Duck Commander Smoke. It doesn't break pitch blowing harder; it just gets a little raspier having two reeds. Very real sounding; had several birds in 70 yard high overflights peal off to circle me and land in a small spread this weekend. Unfortunately they were pintails.

While most people think Faulk is a ***, it does make really nice feed chatter even though it's quacks and hails pales by reality comparison to the above two. Very easy blowing, all wood. Not a good use all the time call due to spitlock.

I have a 6 in 1 whistle and a green teal whistle that work well when ducks are call shy or recently shot at.

I have tried the Primos Wench, Hag, Sista and Haydels Red Leg and thought they blew too high pitch and lacked depth. The Commander Ole Raspy is a fine hail call, lots of depth, but I returned mine when I found it blew like it got kicked in the nads trying softer calling and only getting soprano.

My vote for the worst ever are the Lohman's. Had one in wood and one in plastic. They might make fine coyote calls for an impaled rabbit, but suffer poor quality build, sound, and if you exhale water vapor, they lock up.

[ 11-16-2003, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

crabbait · 11-16-2003, 09:25 PM

Concur on the Haydels calls.

As for RnT, they tend to stick for me while the Big Guys Best don't. Both quality acrylic calls.

Capin' Dan · 11-16-2003, 09:52 PM

Lives to fish stay with what you have got. You are one of the best callers I have ever been without in the blind. That said I have a red leg you can borrow if you want to giv eit a try.

If you are looking for a top end call try the Rich N tones (RNT's) they are the best and year after year win more of the championships than the rest. I really like the one I have. I would suggest ths double reed. A friend of mine just got a nasty boy and that works great.

Lives to fish if you get over to the fuge and decide to join in on the festivities I will run you and your son out to a blind that day.

Dan

Blue Tip Spinner · 11-17-2003, 09:19 AM

i have gone through alot of different calls trying to find the right call for my style of blowing, and i always come back to a single reed style call (i am no longer looking, i have found the call that i will have till i die). i have found that a single reed call produces different tones and pitches that i could not reproduce with a double reed. i have found that double reed calls are "blow this way to make the sound" type calls and if you want it louder, you blow harder and vice versa. i like a call that i can go from a high ball to a chuckle to a content quack and back to the finish of my high ball, all in the same breath. the double reeds i have blown (haydels, r-n-t, duck commander, etc...) take alot of breath to blow, hence tiring me out fast. i have heard alot of great sounding double reeds out there, but for me, i like the variation that a single reed can offer. just my .02. BTS

Swamp Puppy · 11-17-2003, 04:19 PM

the only thing i will suggest is TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. there are more good call makers out there than there is space to list them...and everyone has their favorites. however, what suits them may not suit you at all. i have picked up calls that other people rave about and blown them and couldn't set them down fast enough. others, i fall in love with.

Currently my favorite call is an RNT short barrel burnt Bois D'Arc Single reed. it's nasty, raspy, all duck, and it is easy to blow and make good sounds out of. also, it will set you back a cool 75 bucks. that may seem like a lot to spend on a call to get started with, but if you think about how many "beginner" calls you will buy at 15-20 bucks apeice and end up just tossing them in a drawer because you don't like them..i think steppin' up for one good call, whatever brand or style, to start with makes more sense.

Dr Strangelove · 11-17-2003, 06:53 PM

The RNT Hunter Cocobolo/Polymer sounds as good as the $125 full acrylics and only set me back $40 at Sportman's. Have at it. BTW my next purchase will be a shorty RNT if that gives you any idea of how much I like this line of calls.

Clackamas Drifter · 11-17-2003, 11:59 PM

Well, heres my two cents. I just started duck hunting this year. I went out with two friends of mine, and was hooked. Well, I had never called before, and I set out to learn. The call I got was a single reed primos call, the pro mallard. JUst like 12 bucks or something like that from bi-mart. I also borrowed a primos video called mastering the art. Well, I was very pleased. I went out to savuies on a loaded day. Every blind around me on mud was taken. I only had 10 deaks, and my first time callin, I was bringing in ducks. Alot of ducks. I like the pro mallard because it is super easy to blow, and has a tuning hole so you can sound like several ducks, and I was bringing in more ducks then the people around me who probably had alot more experiance. I am not that experianced, but being in a similar situation as you, I think the pro mallard is great!