What is your favorite call?

[Guest]

I used alot of "peg board" calls in my years and had many double and single reed calls that i thought sounded good but i was taught a lesson in calls and calling one day when i stopped in at Ammo-Craft in Minnetonka in 1995. The owner who i think was named Don was making this call sing that he had around his neck. I couldnt believe the sound. It was a Carlson single reed,it was plastic and cost was around $30. I bought it and used it for two years and then bought the Carlson with interchangeable chokes. This call has proven itself many times. I wouldn't use anything else. When my hunting buddies heard it they bought one too. Anyone else have a favorite call???

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[Duck-o-holic]

I've bought so many calls over the years that I've had to consider it a "collection" to justify buying more (and more). This topic was discussed earlier, and there were several interesting responses. Pull up the old thread on calls for some good reading. I am looking forward for some of the new forum-users responses though. It's great to see so many new forum-users!

I've field tested a lot of calls, but this is what you'd currently find hanging around my neck...

**Paul's Call's Cocobola single reed
**Roy Rhodes single reed
**Big River double reed
**Primos shaved reed canada goose call

I'd have to say that the Paul's Call is my favorite all-around call. The Rhodes is GREAT for open water calling, as it easily blows very loud when hunting big water or windy days. The Big River is definitely my favorite weapon for in close calling-- very nice lonesome hen sounds! The Primos goose call is very similar sounding to the Tim Grounds Half-Breed, but blows a lot easier, and is a LOT cheaper!!

There are several great calls out there, with many manufacturers upgrading thier calls. Here's my 2 cents off the top of my head: Haydel's has come a long way, Primos has a strong line of excellent calls, Rhodes became more mainstream when Wal-Mart (unfortunately) started carrying them, Phil Robertson's Duck Commander is also a very caller-friendly call that I've had good results with, Quaker Boy has come out with a couple of models that some on the site had good words about, Flambeau has entered the market with an ok call, Buck Gardner has done some improving and is even offering expensive acrylic calls, Knight & Hale duck calls are getting a lot better, Echo makes a GREAT sounding call, and then there is the "Oldschool Classic"... the Olt. Still as deadly as they used to be after decades of use!

There are too many good calls out there to list. It's nice that there is such a selection to choose from now-a-days. I remember going to the hardware store when I was a kid and seeing only one or two brands to choose from. How many people hunted with a Faulk's goose call back in the day? (world champion call in 55', 56' and 58'). LOL!! I can still tell those calls a mile a way, and still here them out there every year! What a classic

I'd say that the Big River Long Honker has replaced the Faulk's as the "Most-common-goose-call-in-the-blind" now. I think it has truly earned that name, and is a great call.

Great topic D-man!! You got me all jacked to break out my calls and start rippin' on 'em! LOL!! Glad you don't live above me!!

Let's hear everyone's 2 cents on this one!!

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

[Guest]

I would have to say my favorite call i have ever owned is my duckmen "reacher" call. I have had many calls but the reacher is by far the duckiest.

[Ely Lake Expert]

The call that has worked best for me is my Primos oringinal wench. I have not tried to many, but i stay with what works

Ely lake expert

[Duck-o-holic]

Crappiehunter--

Tell me about the duckmen "Reacher" call. Is it a custom made call? Is it an old call, or is it still being manufactured?? It sounds interesting, and I haven't heard of it before!

Ely--

I've hunted with many that love the Primos! It is a great duck call... have you ever blown the Shaved Reed Canada???

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

[Ely Lake Expert]

duckoholic, I can't say that I have tried shaved reed canada. Is that a duck or goose call??? Do you have any recomendations for a good goose call. I have a cheap one which works for how often I goose hunt, but I would like to buy a good one and try for more geese.

Ely lake hunter

[Guest]

duck-o-holic

The reacher call is still being made by duck cammander. It is the call used in the duckmen videos. It is a double reed call. I just bought it last year after I lost my old rich n tone in the weeds. It is actually the most inexpensive call i have ever purchased it is only about $15 bucks but worked great for me this past seasson. I did have to do a little tuning at first but has worked great ever since.

[This message has been edited by crappiehunter (edited 02-24-2002).]

[Guest]

I have a drawer full of calls and the ones on my lanyard are.....
1. Sure Shot Imperial double reed
2. Southern Game Call Little Joel single reed
3. Primos whistle and grunt
4. Big River Canada Goose Flute
5. Big River woodie call

I feel that the best calls are the most simple. Some people spend $200 on a call, and sometimes you can find a call just as good but not as fancy for $15. I feel that the expensive calls are more of a fad than anything. I wouldn't really want to carry a $200 call into the marsh cause I like to get down and dirty on the dux so I am really hard on my gear. Jus' my 2 cents.

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[Duck-o-holic]

Ely--

There are some great goose calls on the market... a lot of what I'd recommend would relate to how experienced a caller you are-- or moreso, how much time you'd want to put into learning how to blow a new call. I would say that the best all around call, that is easy to blow would be Mick Lacey's Big River Goose Flutes. They sound EXCELLENT, are inexpensive, have great volume, and are used with great results by both beginners and experts! I'd recommend getting the flute that comes with the instructional tape, and practicing up during the off-season.

If you're looking to add to your goose calling skills, I'd definitely recommend a short reed call! You can get more sounds from it to really sound goosey!!! Lay-down growls, grunts, and double-clucks are what to learn on these calls! Tim Grounds makes OUTSTANDING short-reeds, but you will pay a lot more for them ($50-$300). The Primos Shaved Reed that I referred to is very similar to the Grounds Half-Breed, but is priced a lot cheaper ($22), and seems to get me better low-tones. Remember that your short reed calls will blow alot different than flutes. You really need to use your diaphragm air, and have to "Growl and GRRR" into the call to get the right sounds. Practice is the key to blowing these calls right!

Like many custom duck calls, there are a lot of top end goose calls. Since that wasn't what your question was about, I won't comment on any of them. Bemidji makes a good point about being able to be hard on Duck'n gear, and for most hunters, that is what makes sense. Another outstanding short-reed call on the market is a model of "Paul's Calls"... I think the name is Pit Crew or Pit Boss or something like that. It blows a LOT different than a flute-style call, but produces AWESOME sounds, and has even won several state goose calling contests.

Hope this gives you a few ideas to try out!

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

PS-- Bemidji: what is the Primos whistle and grunt call you mentioned?

Crappiehunter-- THOSE Duckmen... the scarey "Deliverance-type" boys from down south! I'd hate to run accross them in some backwater bayou!! They do make a nice call tho-- and bust a lot of ducks!!

[Guest]

It's that little green whistle that imitates the drake mallard grunt, GWT, BWT, Pintail, and Wigeon. I also have a teal "quack" from Primos but I find the whistle more effective.

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[mwktrapper]

My favorite duck calls have been any of the Primo's wenches lately. The rasp seems perfect and the little tuning hole really helps when sounding like 2 different susies. I'd have to say that I really like the Duck Commander's calls also. When tuned correctly and blown like phil robertson, they are deadly, but that one takes a lot of practice while watching phil robertson on the videos slaughterin them mallardos. Anyone chasin the snows this spring?

good fishin (and dreamin of the blind)

[smallies24]

For canadas, I like the Foile's migrators. The price is a little high at $150, but the sound, range of sounds and volume are unmatched by any other shaved reed call available.

I can't see spending that kind of cash on a duck call because they just aren't as vocal and don't respond to calls as well as geese. For ducks, a primos wench or reacher seem to do the trick.

[Sartell Angler]

I have several calls around my neck, but I admit I'm not the greatest caller in the world, at least for ducks. My goose call is an Eastern Shoreman Express, and I also have a wood duck whistle. I have a primos wench that i'm getting good at, as well as my first call, a Faulks.

S.A.