Tips For Better Duck Calling
Whether you are a beginner stepping into the marsh for the first time or a seasoned waterfowler looking to sharpen your skills, having the right calling techniques in your arsenal is the key to a successful hunt. To help you finish more birds this season, we sat down with Bo Brooks, an avid professional caller.
The Six-in-One Whistle
If you are looking for one of the most crucial tools to add to your lanyard, the six-in-one whistle is a must-have. Whistles offer a realistic, low-aggression alternative to standard mallard calls. They are highly effective for targeting specific species that communicate primarily through whistling.
Here is how to run a whistle for five different species:
1. The Wigeon Whistle
Wigeon are loud, vocal birds that communicate constantly. When you see a group of wigeon in the air, you can draw them into your spread by calling them in with a "wall of sound."
The Technique: Hold the whistle wide open, and do not block the end of the call with your fingers. Create the whistle fluctuation by using your throat to add a wavering sound, similar to a light cough.
Expert Tip: A “wall of sound” typically refers to a loud, continuous round of calling, usually from multiple hunters at once in order to mimic a large amount of ducks in your position.
2. The Pintail Chirp
Pintails are among the wariest birds you may encounter. Pintails chirp frequently, so this call becomes especially effective later in the year during the duck’s mating season, usually from late November through January.
The Technique: Place your pointer finger inside the end of the call at a 45-degree angle to cover the opening. Roll your tongue to mimic the sound of two pintails chirping.
Expert Tip: If you are having trouble calling pintails, try calling native geese instead by swapping over to a goose call. Pintails can be responsive to goose calls, so running specklebelly, snow, or Canada goose can be beneficial.
Related Expert Content: Best Goose Calls>
3. The Greenwing Teal Whistle
The greenwing teal whistle is a shorter, higher-pitched version of the pintail chirp. Teal love a wall of sound, making this technique highly effective in late November through the end of January.
The Technique: Put your pointer finger barely into the end of the whistle. Use short, fast bursts of air while rolling your tongue. If you are working a single teal, use a single chirp. If you are working a group of 20 or more, flood them with rapid teal whistles to mimic a flock. Earlier in the season, such as October and early November, you should stick to running a dedicated teal call rather than a whistle.
4. The Mallard Drake Buzz
The mallard drake whistle is the ultimate late-season finisher. In January, mallard drakes begin their courtship and are constantly buzzing as they chase hens. While wise late-season mallards may flare at standard hen quacks, they rarely get wise to the mallard drake buzz.
The Technique: Place your pointer finger at the end of the call. Using the tip of your tongue, make a buzzing sound with your mouth like a bullfrog. Push the air up and drop it down slightly, finding a middle ground with your finger coverage to achieve a deep, realistic buzz.
5. The Gadwall Beep
Gadwalls can be tough to call, but they will readily commit to their native sounds in timber forests or on cold days.
The Technique: Use the same throat and mouth mechanics as the mallard drake buzz, but mimic a punctual, rhythmic "beep, beep, beep" cadence.
Expert Tip: In a pinch, the six-in-one whistle can also produce a wood duck call by fluttering your hand to create a "weee-oott" sound, though a dedicated wood duck call is always recommended.
Core Mallard Calls
When you are running a standard mallard call, realism and timing must work hand in hand. Each call should have a purpose, whether you're trying to get a duck's attention, keep it interested, or finish it over the decoys.
The Cut (Aggressive Feed Call)
While a standard, rapid feed chuckle (like saying "ticker-ticker-ticker") is excellent for holding attention, Bo prefers the "cut" to break distant or stubborn birds. The cut is an aggressive, sharp feed call that adds immediate realism to your spread.
The Technique: Put the call to your lips and say the syllable "c-k" with a sharp "K" sound, placing the middle part of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Open and close your hand over the end of the call to add depth and variation. Use this punctuation to grab their attention and keep them coming.
Related Expert Content: Tips For Setting Up Duck Decoy Spreads>
The Hail Call
The hail call is designed to get the attention of passing ducks, but it must be rooted in natural hen behavior. On the water, a hen mallard typically calls in a realistic series of five to seven notes, rather than a long, artificial 10-note string.
The Technique: Pinch the back of your throat and use your tongue to regulate the air. You can also pinch your lips slightly to add a Cajun squeal at the end of your notes.
Expert Tip: Only use a hail call as the ducks are turning when you can see their wing tips and tail feathers. Avoid calling when they're already flying directly toward your spread. Blowing a loud hail call at ducks heading directly for you can cause them to suddenly turn away from your decoy spread.
The General Quack
Never underestimate the power of a single, clean quack. Adding realistic quacks to your calling sequence is typically effective with mallards that have grown wise to aggressive calling.
The Technique: Imagine blowing out a candle and immediately shutting the air off with your tongue. Pinch the back of your throat slightly and ensure you do not let your cheeks blow up, which ruins the crispness of the note.
Mastering the Cut Down Call
Cut down calls are incredibly popular for their volume and bark, but they do not require as much air as many hunters think. Finding the right amount of air to use on a cut down call allows you to run subtle, highly realistic notes.
The Cut Down Feed Call
Instead of blowing hard, take the tip of your tongue and gently flutter it. This technique requires very little air but produces an incredibly realistic, low-volume feed chuckle.
The Cut Down Quack
Use the same "blowing out a candle" method, snapping the air shut with your tongue to create a crisp, sharp quack.
The Bark
The bark is a highly aggressive, loud call used specifically to break high-flying birds that are heading toward another spread. While it does not sound like a natural mallard on the water, its sheer volume and pressure turn birds on a dime. To bark, use the tip of your tongue to regulate the air, making a spitting "p-p-p-p" sound while trapping the air pressure with your hand before releasing it.
If you are looking to upgrade your lanyard, find the perfect six-in-one whistle, or get expert advice on waterfowl gear, we are here to help. Stop by your local SCHEELS store to chat with a SCHEELS Waterfowl Expert for any questions on how to call for geese or ducks, the right calls, decoys, and gear so you can find more success in your pursuit this season.