NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1303636
32 Nebraskaland • November 2020 I remember getting my fi rst "real" duck call. It was a gift from a friend, and I couldn't wait to give it a try. After several failed attempts to make it sound like a duck, I realized that maybe it wasn't the right call for me or maybe I just wasn't very good at blowing it. It was then that I went on a search to fi nd the right call for my skill level and my budget. I forged ahead and found myself learning everything I could about calls and, most importantly, how to make the right sounds with the call I was using. It became apparent that not only was the duck-call world full of diff erent shapes and varieties, but it seemed everybody had a diff erent opinion of what call worked best. When working outdoor shows for several years, without a doubt the question I got asked the most was: "What duck call should I buy?". You may have had this same question. The following is a checklist if you are looking for a call or are considering buying one for someone else. After all, with the holidays fast approaching, what duck hunter wouldn't want another call to add to their collection? Material is Important When choosing a duck call, you must fi rst decide on the type of material you're going to use. Duck calls basically come in three materials: polycarbonate, acrylic and wood. The basic diff erence between acrylic and polycarbonate is the molding process. A polycarbonate call will not last as long but also will be cheaper. Acrylic is a very dense material and will last longer and allow you to produce more volume through the call. Wood calls can provide great sound, but are not as versatile or durable. Bottom line here is your budget. My personal recommendation — purely based on investment — is for any beginner to start with a polycarbonate call. No need to spend over $100 on a call when you're not even sure how to blow it yet. Single Reed or Double Reed? First mistake I ever made when diving into the duck call market was buying a single reed for my fi rst call. I got talked into it by a sales rep and was fascinated by the sounds he could make with it. Unfortunately, I couldn't make the thing sound anything like he did. For the beginner, I would highly recommend a double-reed call. A double-reed call doesn't take as much air fl ow and will make the basic sounds you need to call ducks. It will not, however, allow you to ring loudly. Single-reed calls allow for louder, higher notes and require more air fl ow to operate. Intermediate to advanced FINDING THE RIGHT DUCK CALL Duck calls come in many shapes and varieties. It is a hunter's job to fi nd which calls work for her or him. BY TODD MILLS PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS