Duck call discussion

[SluiceCoot]

If you could only hang ONE call on your lanyard which one would it be and why? Even for me this is tough as I love my RNT calls but I ALWAYS use my old DR-85 as my go-to.

 

[ilovesprig]

Here in SoCal, I think calling is pretty overrated......With that said, I would stay with my DR-85 (and I own a million calls)..... ;D


ps.........At Henshaw, it would be my widgeon whistle.......

 

[SluiceCoot]

Some would argue it's overrated everywhere

 

[ilovesprig]

Some would argue it's overrated everywhere

Not when your hunting mallards.......


And they would probably hang you by your lanyard, if you suggested that in Arkansas timber.....

 

[fish dog]

Well, I think its overrated unless you really know how to do it. When you don't know how to do it right I think its worse then not calling. I have had the privilege of hunting with a good caller on occasion and its almost amazing (to me at least) how they can call in the birds. On the other hand, and this is one of my pet peeves, I hate getting next to someone who bought a $8 call at Wally-World and thinks if they blow it continually at an empty sky that birds will magically appear. Also, when a bird does appear, blowing it loudly, sounding something like bugs bunny choking out daffy duck, is a great way to scare the bards away. Almost as bad as skybusting if you ask me. IMHO it takes a bit of musical talent to correctly blow a duck call and I know I'm not good at it so I let my decoys do the talking and maybe, once in a while, I'll try a pintail whistle.

 

[SluiceCoot]

So two for the old DR-85. Any others?

 

[ilovesprig]

Well, I think its overrated unless you really know how to do it. When you don't know how to do it right I think its worse then not calling. I have had the privilege of hunting with a good caller on occasion and its almost amazing (to me at least) how they can call in the birds. On the other hand, and this is one of my pet peeves, I hate getting next to someone who bought a $8 call at Wally-World and thinks if they blow it continually at an empty sky that birds will magically appear. Also, when a bird does appear, blowing it loudly, sounding something like bugs bunny choking out daffy duck, is a great way to scare the bards away. Almost as bad as skybusting if you ask me. IMHO it takes a bit of musical talent to correctly blow a duck call and I know I'm not good at it so I let my decoys do the talking and maybe, once in a while, I'll try a pintail whistle.

Erik,

Your very right about what you've said here......Very annoying.....The place to LEARN or PRACTICE is not on some wildlife area or refuge during the season.....Not only are birds being shot it all around, but it's just not natural to here that much quacking.

Short bursts of the comeback or lonesome hen calls can be deadly when the scenarios are right. Which knowing when to call is just about as important as to how to call.....Pretty much why I like the DR-85....Very ducky sound in a easy to use double reed call.

 

[nicapopolis]

I'm a fan of the DR 85 as well. Shoot mine is cracked and still works well. Small and comfortable call and it can handle a multitude of sounds well.

 

[Aeon]

Buck Gardner tall timber 2, found it by chance and love it. Decent close up and can boom if you want to yell at something far away.

 

[ilovesprig]

Buck Garner's little double reed is very similar sounding to the DR-85......Many of the conservation groups emboss this call.....Delta, Waterfowl USA, CWA, etc.

This call also has come with a hole in the barrel......Makes a neat little teal quack.

 

[SluiceCoot]

Well, I think its overrated unless you really know how to do it. When you don't know how to do it right I think its worse then not calling. I have had the privilege of hunting with a good caller on occasion and its almost amazing (to me at least) how they can call in the birds. On the other hand, and this is one of my pet peeves, I hate getting next to someone who bought a $8 call at Wally-World and thinks if they blow it continually at an empty sky that birds will magically appear. Also, when a bird does appear, blowing it loudly, sounding something like bugs bunny choking out daffy duck, is a great way to scare the bards away. Almost as bad as skybusting if you ask me. IMHO it takes a bit of musical talent to correctly blow a duck call and I know I'm not good at it so I let my decoys do the talking and maybe, once in a while, I'll try a pintail whistle.

Erik,

Your very right about what you've said here......Very annoying.....The place to LEARN or PRACTICE is not on some wildlife area or refuge during the season.....Not only are birds being shot it all around, but it's just not natural to here that much quacking.

Short bursts of the comeback or lonesome hen calls can be deadly when the scenarios are right. Which knowing when to call is just about as important as to how to call.....Pretty much why I like the DR-85....Very ducky sound in a easy to use double reed call.

Yep! I know plenty of guys who blow the call only while hunting. I have about two duck calls and a couple goose calls in the truck that I blow to and from work all year long. On a separate note, Steve I see you have an old mallard tone goose call. I have the same one but for the life of me cannot tune it! It's a real bear. So you mind PMing me with a tip. It pretty much just sits on my shelf

 

[SluiceCoot]

Steve, another question for you.... I really like the older calls. I've never blown a PS Olt cut down keyholed, I'm sure you have. The damn things are like $90 and up on eBay. Are they worth the cash? It's hard to justify spending that kind of cash on a call that should realistically cost about $25

 

[ilovesprig]

SC,

I can give you a tip right here.......Leave the Mallard Tone on the display case and get yourself a decent short reed honker call......Believe it or not, one of my favorites is a plain old Knight & Hale Magnum Clucker......Easy to tune and easy to blow......10-20 bucks online. K & H even made one in Acrylic. Which I comboed with the plain plastic insert.....Lots of honkers have meant their maker with this call.

I know for contest calling and to get that loud ringing sounds, there's no substitution for acrylic. Just don't see it necessary for the every day hunters......2 cents

 

[SluiceCoot]

I agree. I don't even own an acrylic call. Mine are all wood or poly carb/plastic. I've never been a fan of those ringing, tinny-sounding notes. Primarily because I've never heard a duck or goose sound like that.

 

[ilovesprig]

Steve, another question for you.... I really like the older calls. I've never blown a PS Olt cut down keyholed, I'm sure you have. The damn things are like $90 and up on eBay. Are they worth the cash? It's hard to justify spending that kind of cash on a call that should realistically cost about $25

I do have the Olt D-2 Keyhole......Here's a great write-up about this historic call.......Still sounds good.......

.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCUQFjABahUKEwjH6NPw2o3GAhUI94AKHZgOAHQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingthundergamecalls.com%2FHistory-of-cut-down-duck-calls_ep_45-1.html&ei=eq18VcfDKIjugwSYnYCgBw&usg=AFQjCNF4AjahCENAVpBptJ_E-Se73cUf3Q&sig2=AUYpEL4V6go9uGynV1rXbg&bvm=bv.95515949,d.eXY

ps.....Worth it?......If your getting into old calls. I'd say yes, but I'm probably not the right guy to ask (divorced)......

 

[TJD123]

I would recommend the DR-85 to anyone. It is a very good call and it is only about 20 bucks. It won't get as loud as an acrylic. However it is still a great call to throw on your lanyard. Whistles are pretty helpful too.

 

[ilovesprig]

One little tip about the DR-85.......Take the barrel off of the DR-85 and replace it with a bigger barrel (obviously, it has to fit tight)......Much easier to call and easier on the lips too.....Won't look like a crack pipe either.........

ps......The Haydel Red Leg Call basically has this change.

 

[Whodini]

x4 on the crack pipe. I like my Lares Hybrid too. Has a soft whine to it that lonely greenheads like