Do Other Species ever Respond to Mallard Calls?

[Hunter527]

Since mallards aren’t the most common duck at San Jacinto, I was wondering if the more common ducks ever respond to a good mallard call. This season I’m going to try to learn a couple different mallard calls. I thought I’d ask you guys if you’ve ever had other ducks respond to your mallard calls. I’m not sure if I should try to call at shovelers and gadwalls or if I should only try to call at mallards.

 

[duck-boy]

Short answer, Yes.....
Now if you have mallard decoys out then it only makes sense to use a mallard call....

 

[Hunter527]

Short answer, Yes.....
Now if you have mallard decoys out then it only makes sense to use a mallard call....

Let say you call at shovelers ten different times in one day, how many times do you think they would turn and take a look at the decoys?

 

[CazadorSuerte]

3.5 times on average. Your results may vary.

 

[duck-boy]

Depends on the caller.....

Way too many variables. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

 

[Hunter527]

Depends on the caller.....

Way too many variables. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

That makes sense, what are some of the variables? Would they be more wary to calls late in the season, what about the weather? I guess there could be a lot of variables, now that you made me think about it. You never know if the ducks you’re calling to got shot at ten minutes ago.

 

[ilovesprig]

Much of calling is timing...Don't over call or call hard into a call, if ducks are close...A single mallard is the easiest to call, if no one else is calling around you...Short come back burst is normally all you need...A lonesome hen call works many times as well on drakes...Read the bird...They will turn, if interested...Don't call when they're right on you...Butts and wing tips.

As far as calling to spoonies or gadwalls...I've never had much success calling to them or even try much...Maybe soft comeback burst or lonesome hen...Both hens of these species quack, but very softly and not nearly as a aggressive as a mallard hen...Keep it soft

2 cents

 

[TeamRoper]

With most mallard calls they are toned to mallard.
Gadwall,Widgen have a deeper quack so if u grunt real hard ya can get that tone and yes.one call can get multiple responses from different birds.
It does depends on the caller. I tuned a call i can do all those and a teal squeel with a mallard call. Its a must hear to believe.
For instance.at banos i took a nap.woke self up snoring. Got up blew my mallard call and a gadwall hen quacked rt back behind my blind. Tried to swat it wounded chased it shot like six more times and she dissappeared.ugh. the adventure.
Gotta love duck hunting.way more variables then other hunting. The guy who pays attention to detail is the one who gets success.

 

[fish dog]

They respond well if you know how to call. They respond a little differently (head for the next county) if you don't know how to call. If you are in the latter category just let your decoys do the talking and leave the call at home.

 

[Hunter527]

They respond well if you know how to call. They respond a little differently (head for the next county) if you don't know how to call. If you are in the latter category just let your decoys do the talking and leave the call at home.

My plan is to stay quiet first thing in the morning, and then give the call a try when things slow down. I drew the 3rd spot at San Jacinto so hopefully the call won’t be necessary!

 

[TeamRoper]

Ducks get call shy. Period.they relate someone callin to getting shot at.so as soon as they hear a wrong note or any call they get ghost.not wanting to get shot at.
So its not always the callers fault when u call and they bail. Like sprig said a ton of it is timing and mimic what they wantto hear.soon as u getagood response stick with it. Weather a whistle or whatever.
Nothing like good decoys set on the X and a good hide. Birds will land in the spread if u sit still.

 

[THE_NEW_GUY]

Best thing I did was learn how to whistle call.

Drake mallard pintail wigeon teal but the Drake mallard call works well first thing in the morning before shoot time. I've landed more ducks in my decoys using the Drake Mallard call over any other call before shoot time..... and no I am not an early shooter.

Good luck wish you the best

 

[garlicsalt]

I simply want duck that is flying by to know i have a spread down below. Since my decoys are not swimming around drawing the birds attention i like to make a little noise to get there attention and turn their heads. Hopefully they come down for a closer look.

 

[Green House]

If a high flock is passing over on a mission rarely will any call will bring them down. When flocks start to break up, lock up, and start looking/grinding around, these are the ones that will respond to calling. Its best to call to tips and tails and call sparingly. A whistle is the best so cal call. A mallard call is best used to make a feeding chuckle when ducks are close, helps to finish them. Learn those two calls, pintail/teal/widgeon whistle and mallard feeding chuckle and you will be fine in so cal.

Best starter mallard call IMHO is the Haydels DR85.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

Best starter mallard call IMHO is the Haydels DR85.

The ol' crackpipe.. lol.