Duck hunting gets a lot better when you have the best duck calls for your situation. But with so many choices out there, figuring out which one to use can be tough. Here’s a simple breakdown of what works best in different hunting spots.
Table of Contents
How to Pick Your Duck Call
Know Where You Hunt
Think about where you spend most of your time hunting. Are you out on big lakes? Sitting in flooded woods? Hunting farm fields? Each spot needs a different approach.
Match Your Experience
New to calling? Start with something easy to use. Been doing this for years? You might want something with more options.
Try Before You Buy
Head to your local hunting store and test out different calls. See how they feel and sound. What works for your buddy might not work for you.
Open Water Hunting
When you’re hunting big lakes or bays, you need the best duck call that can reach far and cut through wind.
Single Reed Calls Work Best These calls are loud and sharp – perfect for getting attention across open water. They take some practice but really punch through noise.
Good options:
- RNT Original
- Zink PH-2
- Duck Commander Reacher
Hail Calls Get Attention These mimic the sound of a big flock and can pull birds from way out. Great for those distant specks you can barely see.
Try these:
- RNT Microhen
- Buck Gardner Double Nasty
- Primos Wench
Hunting in the Woods
Flooded timber and swamps need a softer touch. Birds are closer, so you don’t need to be as loud.
Double Reed Calls Sound Natural These produce mellow, realistic sounds that work great when ducks are nearby. They’re also easier for beginners to use.
Popular choices:
- Echo Timber Cocobolo
- Zink PH-1
- Duck Commander Ol’ Faithful
Soft Calls for Picky Birds Sometimes ducks get suspicious, especially in heavily hunted areas. Quiet, subtle calls can seal the deal.
Good picks:
- Haydel’s Prototype
- RNT Mondo
- Zink Little Man
Field Hunting
Hunting farm fields or open ground? You’ll want calls that sound like the ducks that feed there.
Mallard Calls Are Key The classic hen mallard quack works on lots of different ducks. It’s the bread and butter of field hunting.
Solid choices:
- Duck Commander Miss Priss
- Zink ATM Green Machine
- Echo Calls Meat Hanger 2
Whistles Turn Birds High-pitched whistles can grab the attention of ducks flying overhead and turn them your way.
Worth trying:
- Haydel’s Whistler
- Duck Commander Camo Max
- Buck Gardner Tall Timber
Making Your Calls Work
Practice Makes Perfect
You can’t just buy a call and expect to sound like a duck. Set aside time to practice at home. Work on making clean, natural sounds.
Learn the Basics
Start with simple stuff – basic quacks, greeting calls, and feeding sounds. Once you’ve got those down, you can get fancier. Learning how to duck call properly takes time, but mastering these techniques will make you a better hunter.
Don’t Overdo It
Calling too much is worse than not calling enough. Use your call to get attention, then back off. Let the ducks make the next move.
Wrapping Up
Having the best duck calls for where you hunt makes a real difference. Start with one good call that fits your main hunting spot, then add others as you go. Remember, the fanciest call won’t help if you don’t know how to duck call effectively. Spend time practicing, and you’ll see more ducks in your bag.
