Duck call gear

Cristian1022 · Jul 23, 2016

Hello everyone, I'm going on my third year hunting Ducks. Usually hunt in San Jacinto area. I've been going out with my brother in-law and been using his gear. I'm going to start buying my own gear so I had a question about duck calls.

I was given a double reed poly call early this year and will be buying a whistle soon.

What other types should I look into? Mid range?

Thanks

Cristian

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ilovesprig · Jul 23, 2016

View attachment 27786 Cristian,

Welcome to SCH.....Good time to start thinking about practicing your calling.....Out here in the west, I don't feel we need the range of calls that perhaps other parts of our country do.....With that said, any double reed will work for the limited mallard hunting we have here in California.....I might add that the basic hen quack will work for other species as well.....Especially used in lower volumes as most hens quack in some cadence & strength.

The make of call is mostly just your preference.....I like the plain old Haydel's DR-85, Haydel Redleg, or Buck Gardner Double Nasty..... IMO, your better off spending your money on better decoys, motion devices, and accessories.

The whistles are a pretty easy choice.....The Duck Commander or Buck Gardner 6-1 whistle are all you need.....When it comes to hunting widgeon, these work (see in pic).....The Wingsetter 8-1 call will work as well, just not as easy to use.

One more thing, there's a work party at San Jacinto WA next Saturday.....Good place to practice with the wild mallards being vocal and abundant.....Hope to see you out there.

.

Cristian1022 · Jul 23, 2016

ilovesprig said:
View attachment 27786 Cristian,

Welcome to SCH.....Good time to start thinking about practicing your calling.....Out here in the west, I don't feel we need the range of calls that perhaps other parts of our country do.....With that said, any double reed will work for the limited mallard hunting we have here in California.....I might add that the basic hen quack will work for other species as well.....Especially used in lower volumes as most hens quack in some cadence & strength.

The make of call is mostly just your preference.....I like the plain old Haydel's DR-85, Haydel Redleg, or Buck Gardner Double Nasty..... IMO, your better off spending your money on better decoys, motion devices, and accessories.

The whistles are a pretty easy choice.....The Duck Commander or Buck Gardner 6-1 whistle are all you need.....When it comes to hunting widgeon, these work (see in pic).....The Wingsetter 8-1 call will work as well, just not as easy to use.

One more thing, there's a work party at San Jacinto WA next Saturday.....Good place to practice with the wild mallards being vocal and abundant.....Hope to see you out there.

.View attachment 27787

Ilovesprig- thank you very much for the advise. I've been practicing my duck calling skills for sure. I love the look I get when I'm driving and quacking away. I been soaking up so much information this past few years and have had the opportunity to hunt in Ca and some honkers in OR. I'll definitely look into your recommendations. Thank you!

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ilovesprig · Jul 23, 2016

Cris,

Just one other note......Calling is as much knowing when to call, as is the calling itself.....When ducks are a long distance, any sound will do (high ball).....But when they get in close, that will separate the men from the boys (comeback on the tilt).

Remember, like turkey calling, over calling is way worse than under calling.....Get their attention, then watch their actions.....Soft call accordingly.

Knowing your species and time of year helps as well.....We call widgeon till we're shouldering our guns.....In January, greenheads & bull sprig are looking for mates.....Lonesome hen calls are most effective at this time.

Lots to learn, but this is why duck hunting is so intriguing & fun........

ps......Any pix of your hunts?

Cristian1022 · Jul 23, 2016

ilovesprig said:
Cris,

Just one other note......Calling is as much knowing when to call, as is the calling itself.....When ducks are a long distance, any sound will do (high ball).....But when they get in close, that will separate the men from the boys (comeback on the tilt).

Remember, like turkey calling, over calling is way worse than under calling.....Get their attention, then watch their actions.....Soft call accordingly.

Knowing your species and time of year helps as well.....We call widgeon till we're shouldering our guns.....In January, greenheads & bull sprig are looking for mates.....Lonesome hen calls are most effective at this time.

Lots to learn, but this is why duck hunting is so intriguing & fun........

ps......Any pix of your hunts?

I've come to find out that it's an art. Decoy placement, identification, range, etc..is very important. There are so many factors involved other than just shooting at a bird as most people think. That is one of the reasons I love it so much. Not like the Nintendo Duck Hunt growing up as a kid.

Below are pictures from San Jacinto, Wasco and OR, fun times

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ilovesprig · Jul 23, 2016

Very nice....Thanks for sharing.....

ps.....Love those honks.....Hell, love the spoons...........lol

pss.....What did you think of those Rio's?

Cristian1022 · Jul 23, 2016

ilovesprig said:
Very nice....Thanks for sharing.....

ps.....Love those honks.....Hell, love the spoons...........lol

pss.....What did you think of those Rio's?

I was using Fasteel but it's funny you mention it. My buddy had issues ejecting the shell and I remember reading someone else's post on here about the Rio given them issues or something like that.

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ilovesprig · Jul 23, 2016

I'm a Kent guy, but bought a couple of cases of Rio's for Canada (3 1/2" BBB).....They were so bad, I quit shooting them.....I called the company and they just sent me a new case last week.....I'll pattern these and see what they do.....Will follow up with full report next week.....I will say, their customer service was very good and the 3" duck loads shot & patterned fine.

TJD123 · Jul 23, 2016

The best call out there is motion in decoys!! lol. I do have a single reed acrylic RNT, gets loud and works good when they are far away. But damn the dr-85 is a tough call to beat, and its only $20!!

ilovesprig · Jul 23, 2016

TJ,

No doubt those single reed acrylics can ring out (& I own plenty).....It's just most our hunting is done in pretty close quarters here in SoCal....Hence, the DR-85 is good choice. It's got a very ducky sound and most our calling is done fairly close in (under 300 yds).

And when it comes to motion, way way better than any call..... Well, that and being on the X......lol

TJD123 · Jul 23, 2016

ilovesprig said:
TJ,

No doubt those single reed acrylics can ring out (& I own plenty).....It's just most our hunting is done in pretty close quarters here in SoCal....Hence, the DR-85 is good choice. It's got a very ducky sound and most our calling is done fairly close in (under 300 yds).

And when it comes to motion, way way better than any call..... Well, that and being on the X......lol

yup totally agree, I like to think i run my single reed pretty well. But 9/10 time i reach for the dr-85 especially in socal.

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