Duck calling advise

Anyone have any tips on learning to call ducks? I have watched YouTube videos and have the quack down and working on the cadence using the three blind mice nursery rhyme.

Quacks and short 3-4 note greeting/pleading calls will kill ducks. You don’t have to be able to feed chuckle and blow a 20 note high ball. I see Athens in your location, go to the wheeler refuge visitor center and watch/listen to ducks this winter at the observation tower. Watch real ducks on youtube, not just people calling. If you want to know what not to do, then go to Swan Creek opening morning.

Tugga tugga tugga tugga hoot hoot hoot hoot hoot hoot.

Thanks fellas.

Better to know a few calls really well, than be half @$$ on everything.

Tips and tails. Other than that get on the X and be quiet. A few quacks here and there has killed a lot of ducks over the years. Most "callers" would be better served with it left hanging around their neck due to not knowing how to call but even more so not knowing when to call

I'd get a Haydel DR-85 to start off with. Or a primos wench if they still make them. They are very user friendly and a good to start with. Once you get proficient you can try a single reed - I prefer RNT calls. Plenty of how - to on the internet. Butch richenback used to have a good instructional tape. If may be on YouTube

First, learn on a quality single reed. A double reed simply masks mistakes and develops bad habits. Some cheap calls could have a world champ blowing them and they still wouldn't sound good.

Blow hot air. Don't grunt or say words into the call. Control your air flow with your gullet and diaphragm. Your best bet is to find someone whose a good caller and get some hands on instruction.

Location ,location, location...takes most of the calling out of the equation but call no more than you have to...try to impress the ducks not other hunters...you won't force the ducks to go anywhere that they don't want to

I know a guy where duck calls are not even allowed out of the truck, they kill more ducks than most. X marks the spot.

In 30 plus years, I can seriously say, calls are becoming less important and maybe a hindrance in many situations. Not only is it what you're saying it's important as to when to say it. I've always heard play ducks like on a baseball diamond as to when which notes to use.

Biggest thing bad I see is hail calling when ducks are locked up and committed, DON'T!

Thanks for the advice! I’m enjoying practicing around the house and annoying the wife and kids.😁

if you can find it, get Keith Allen's CD called "Fundamentals of Duck Call Operation." Best instructional CD I ever listened too. Helped me with my confidence in the blind and I even did a little competition calling for a year or two.

It teaches you how to blow a call. He gives you hunting tips on when to blow what call and how to do it but just like in turkey hunting, calling is important but a whole lot more goes into it to kill ducks. Lots and lots of time in the blind is the only way to get good at killing ducks.

Dr. B

I've hunted with Keith and he is a heck of a caller. He is given credit for the "refuge" call sequence in which one caller tries to sound like multitudes of ducks at once. He is a killer for sure.

I also shared a blind with him in Missouri for a weekend. That was awesome! We slayed 'em with mixed bag of greenies, pintails, and a few widgeon. Learned a lot that weekend. He was flattered that I used his CD to learn to call. Said he just kinda put it together on a whim and was shocked it did so well. He's actually a lawyer which shocked me! He was a blast to hunt with. One of the top 10 hunts I've ever been on.

Dr. B

Just spend some time hunting. You'll figure it out. Call less than you think you should. Tips and tails, but only 1/2 as much as you are tempted to call.

Go with a guide and don't worry so much about killing but watch the ducks and listen to how he calls and how the birds react to the calls he makes. I watched all the videos I could find praticed everyday, and learned more in one morning watching two guys that knew what they were doing. Find someone that is good and TRY to talk them into letting you go WATCH no gun. You may have to be gagged bound blindfolded and wrapped in a tarp in the bottom of a boat to go but it would help you greatly