Duck Calls.

[ALW]

I started watching a Duck calling video last night (Thanks again Kevin) and it says that the first call I should own and practice is the Mallard Hen.

1. Do ya'll agree - get a Mallard Hen cal as my first?

2. If so, can you recommend one that is good?

3. As a newbie, should I have only one with me on my first hunt?

4. The video suggests a whistle for the birds that are out far. Get one?

Once again, Thanks for every ones help.

[N. Cook]

Unfortunately, everything you hear about calling or see on videos does not apply in FL as we have no wild mallards in 95% of the state.....I miss the old Arkansas highballing and Reelfoot hail call.......

Get a teal whistle and an inexpensive mallard call. You can make some simple quacks, a little chatter on the mallard call for mottles, a raspy flutter for ringers....and the teal whistle will let you attract woodies as well as teal.

[D Duck]

To second what Newton said, get a teal call. Haydel's makes a good BWT call for about $8-9. Get a good 4-in-1 whistle. Wingsetter or Moorwhistle are both good and inexpensive.

For a good inexpensive mallard call, I can recommend 2 - the RNT Quackhead or the Quackwacker poly call. I would stick with a single reed, albeit harder to learn in the beginning, they sound much better and can do more than a double reed.

[ALW]

I bought the Haydel's BWT call from bass pro last week. I am glad it will have value.

[Keith Yates]

Adam thought you might be interested in this at Bass Pro Orlando. I really have no idea if the content is pertinent to duck calling in FL.

October 19, 2005
Successful Duck Calling
Early Duck Hunting Secrets & Successful Duck Calling
Early season can be a great time to be on the water duck hunting. At our outdoor skills workshop we can teach you some early season methods of duck hunting. Learn decoy set ups, calls, duck identification and tips for successful shooting. We also cover equipment essential to today's duck hunter.
What call should you make when those greenheads are up high and decoy shy? Find out in our successful duck calling class in our hunting department. Learn what calls to make for different species of duck as well as cadences and volumes to use. Novice to calling, no problem. We can set you up with a call that is perfect for your level of experience

[DUCKWHACKER]

Look into the Primos "High Roller" whistle. Works for teal, pintail and widgeon.

[Kevin Hall]

Just a little note to everyone about that duck calling video ... It was made here in FL by Flip Pallot. ;) and from what I hear ... Flip is a better duck hunter than he is a fisherman ... (take that for what it's worth.. ) ;)

Personally, I only use 2 or 3 different calls ...

Faulks mallard call ... I think it's a WA-33 ... perfectly duplicates the sound of our FL Mallard.

A whistle call - I have 2 that I use ... a "Wingsetter" 4-in-one call & a a Moorwhistle. (teal, pintails, and wigeon)

And when I'm hunting divers ... I use a diver call.

Basically, that's it. I only use the mallard for general "quacks" and maybe a "contented hen" once-in-a-while.

[Wilbur]

Practice and become a good caller before calling in the marsh. Not only is it a duck call, it can also be a duck repellant. I think the whistle is the best friend a Fla hunter can have. I agree with Duckwhacker on the Highroller, multiple ducks from one call with a built in flutter, and easy to use.

[DUCKWHACKER]

Hey Kevin, Flip is also one **** of a traditional archer. He hunts with a longbow and in a recent magazine interview he claims to enjoy bowhunting even more than his fishing. I'm not sure if he still is, but he was a member of our state club the Traditional Bowhunters of Florida. So was Dickie Betts of the Allman Brothers Band.

[Max 4-D]

Adam,
I exclusively use the BWT call you already bought, as well as, the Wingsetter 4-in-1 whistle recommended above.
Here in FLA thats about all you really need.

[ALW]

Is this the ono you are talking about.

Wingsetter EZ Flutter Game Call

[Kevin Hall]

The Wingsetter call that I have looks like this ...

[Kevin Hall]

And the morwhistle looks like this ...

[duckmanJR]

I have three calls on my lanyard. I use the Haydel BT 85 as a primary call when hunting B/W teal. I also carry a PS Olt whistle and it is indespensable since it is good for several species... and my latest "mallard" call is a HS "black ice" It has a slight rasp that I can make break nicely....sounds like a lonely mottled hen. For a new hunter I might suggest regardless of call brand...practice.... ALOT of it!! Also, listen to REAL ducks....They sound alot different than most calling tapes. Nothing is more annoying than some joker a few hundred yards away belting out his best highball at every passing speck in the sky...it is even more annoying when I have worked in some teal and they crank up to rock concert volume only to flare my birds and chase them to the next county!
It has been my experience over time that LESS IS MORE..... A few well timed calls will turn ducks(sometimes) but DO NOT call at committed ducks... Stay still and quiet even if they pass by..many times they sweep around and swoop right in.

[ALW]

Thanks for the advice. I now have a clear picture of the calls I will make - Probably NONE. Unless I am certain that I won't spook em'. I have the Haydel BW teal but it is going to be a lot of work to get that thing right. I will buy a whistle and practice.

[DUCKWHACKER]

Good plan. :icon_salu