How-To Choose the Right Call
Watch the video for a quick tutorial demonstration.
Watch the Whole Series
This article and video was made to save new and even experienced duck callers some trial and error when buying the “right” duck call.
Try Every Call
First thing I can tell you is to TRY OUT EVERY CALL POSSIBLE. Go to your local outdoors store, have them open the case and try every call possible.
Check the Bore
Then when you have found a couple calls that sound great with the way you call, look at the bottom of the insert. You will find that the quieter the call, the smaller the bore is, and that the louder the call, the larger the bore is.
Small vs. Large
If you’re looking for a timber call, you’ll most likely want a smaller bore. If you’re looking for a louder, trafficking call or open water call, you’ll want a larger bore.
These different calls both have their day in the field. In my opinion, when you’ve mastered your air presentation, you can make a louder call sound quiet. So, I’ve always had louder calls on my lanyard. It’s a complete bummer when you’re using a quiet call on a windy day and the birds can’t even hear you.
Double or Single Reed
I’ve also found that double reed duck calls are naturally more quiet and take less air to break over the reeds, whereas single reeds take more air and are much louder.
Acryllic vs. Polycarbonate or Wood
The calls that are shown in the video are acrylic duck calls. In my opinion, acrylic, makes a cleaner sound than polycarbonate or wood. I’ve found that over time, my wood calls tend to change their tone during 5-10 years of use. Much of this is because they expand and contract faster when wet and in changing temperatures.
However
Acrylic, wood, and polycarbonate calls all have their uses. Acrylic being the loudest and sharpest (clean). Wood ranges from loud to quiet based on what company made the call, what wood was used, and how they designed the call as a whole. Polycarbonate, from what I’ve used, is an in-between call, and typically will be easier on your wallet.