A duck call is basically a musical instrument, a kind of wooden whistle. To imitate the sound of the duck you have to blow inside. Learn the calls to attract ducks close and have more chances when hunting. Here are some tips for choosing the right booster based on the moment.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Part 1: Choose the Recall
Step 1. Choose between a double-reed or single-reed instrument
Usually duck calls have a sound box made of wood, acrylic or polycarbonate that amplifies the sound.
- A call to a reed has a wide range of sounds, both in terms of volume and control, but requires a somewhat difficult technique to learn. It can be a good option for more experienced hunters.
- A double-reed call makes a less loud sound, but is easier to control, plus it allows you to simulate many lines. It takes a lot more breath, but proves to be the right instrument for beginners. Making a precise call is much more important than volume, and double-reed instruments have "sweet spots" that sound realistically.
Step 2. Choose from an acrylic, wood or polycarbonate lure
Although the differences between the various materials are very few, knowing the subtleties will help you make a smart purchase.
- Acrylic allows for a stronger and sharper sound. It is very useful for long distances and when you are in the water, away from the shore. Maintenance is very simple, the material is resistant and does not get damaged by rain or other atmospheric elements, but it is also the most expensive solution.
- The wooden decoys are soft and mellow and are believed to be the most accurate. They are not very expensive, but maintenance is demanding and their duration depends on the care with which you perform it.
- Polycarbonate has a similar cost to wood and offers a sound halfway between that of acrylic and that of wood. It is water resistant and reliable.
Step 3. Evaluate the volume
If you go hunting far from the shore, or in a particularly windy season, a very high volume decoy is better. If you do a stalking hunt in a shelter, or want to lure ducks close to you, it is best to use a more delicate call, which offers more subtlety in terms of sound modulation. When you know what kind of hunting you want to do, you also know the right lure to take.
Talk to other hunters in the area and to hunting-fishing merchants to see which lures are available and which ones are most used
Step 4. Try building yourself a recall
On the internet you can find detailed instructions on how to carve wood, adapt reeds and how to “tune” it according to certain specifications. This way you can customize the sound to your needs.
There are also some fairly inexpensive DIY kits, but they are often of low quality
Method 2 of 4: Part 2: Learning the Basics of Recall
Step 1. Hold the reminder correctly
Most of the time you grab it from the resonance chamber by wrapping your fingers around the hole to block the sound, as is done with the harmonica. On the contrary, you can also hold it as if it were a cigar and hold it with your fingers to block the sound with the other hand.
Step 2. Blow using the diaphragm
To understand which muscle it is, try coughing into your hands. The muscle you are using is the diaphragm, and it is the best way to force the air through the recall and produce a precise sound.
You don't need to keep your mouth open to train this muscle, so practice with your mouth closed. Do not perform a movement as if you want to make bubbles, but as if you want to push something out of the lungs
Step 3. Check the air flow with your throat and mouth
Duck calls are short, repetitive, high-pitched sounds, not long buzzes. Practice blocking the air with your throat as if you wanted to emit a sound like uff.
When you push the air with your diaphragm, open your lips slightly and place the lure on them. It is a good way to emit a precise sound
Step 4. Put the callout between your teeth
If you can emit a full "quack", perfectly reproducing the duck's sound and blocking the air at the right time, then you are well on your way to the correct technique.
Step 5. Try using the old method of recall using your hands
It is more difficult than using the constructed lure, but knowing this technique can prove useful in situations where you have broken or forgotten your instrument. It is also a good way to earn points in the eyes of the most experienced hunters.
To make a call with your hands, wrap your thumb inside the palm and close your fist. Then dip your fist in the water and try to trap some of it between your fingers. This allows you to have a more "gurgling" sound. Blow between the thumb and palm, changing the shape of the fist by slightly extending the thumb. It takes a lot of practice to get it right, but this way you'll always be able to call ducks, with or without a tool
Method 3 of 4: Part 3: Learning Special Reminders
Step 1. Learn to “quack”
This is the basic call, and the best ones have a very specific sound that closes them. A beginner usually emits a call similar to qua-qua-qua. Make sure you block the air cleanly with the diaphragm to reproduce a precise and clean quaCK.
A female duck when alone emits a slightly different version of the quack, very effective in attracting males, who would otherwise be more suspicious. In this case the female produces a prolonged and almost annoying sound, which is more like a quainCK
Step 2. Use a welcome call when you first see ducks in the distance
It consists of about 5 notes with a descending tone, with a constant and agitated rhythm. It should be something like kanc-kanc-kanc-kanc-kanc.
- The "pleading" calls attract ducks flying high. The goal is to emit the sound of a single duck on the water that asks the other specimens to reach it. The first sound is the longest, to attract attention and the second is the greeting call: "kaaanc-kanc-kanc-kanc-kanc."
- The "go back!" it is similar to the greeting, and should be used when the latter fails. The tone is the same, but drier as a single: kanC.
Step 3. Try the Eat Call
It's not used very often, but it can come in handy when combined with other types of lures. Basically it should be like: tikki-takka-tikka
When you try this call, you should vary the volume slightly, starting high, then gradually lowering it and eventually rising again
Step 4. Use a greeting call only when the ducks are away
It should be loud and not too complicated, as real ducks have complex welcome noises. Some professionals believe it is an overused booster. It should look like a: aaaaink-aaaaink-aaaaink and get weaker and fainter.
Method 4 of 4: Part 4: Learning When, Where and How to Make a Recall
Step 1. Use the right call for the occasion
If you are hunting in a small body of water when there is not too much wind, choose a call that is not too strong, so as not to scare the animals. A double-reed wooden call should be perfect. If you are on a large pond or lake or it's a windy day, you need a stronger lure, choose an acrylic one.
If you have only one instrument, vary the sounds you make to compensate. Remember that accuracy is the most important thing
Step 2. Call back in moderation
Observe the ducks' reactions to the sounds you make. You should use a lure when you notice a group of ducks flying over your head, and you want to lure them to the ground or close to you. Furthermore, reminders are more effective if they are used wisely and without exaggerating; if you make precise sounds you can hope to fool some specimens.
- Check the reactions of the ducks. If you see them flying and they change direction towards you, don't keep squawking or you risk ruining your cover. Wait for them and see what they do.
- If you do more than one booster every 30 seconds, you are probably exaggerating.
Step 3. Eliminate all other disturbing sounds while hunting
If you're listening to the radio at full blast, don't hope your call will be effective.
Step 4. Don't call if the ducks seem attracted to your bait
If you hunt with the lure and obviously the technique works, don't risk ruining everything with a lure.
Step 5. Be patient
Ducks often dive, go underwater, leave, come back and land several times before deciding to stand right in front of you. Be persistent, avoid frustration and wait.
Step 6. Train
Listen to CDs with calls that are on the market. Practice at home or in the car. At the same time, he spends many hours listening to ducks in the wild. As you sound the call you should pay attention to the sounds of real ducks and try to imitate them as an answer.
Step 7. Clean and "tune" your booster after each use
Those made of wood must always be dried and cleaned, otherwise with wear they will eventually break.
- Unscrew the reeds and check them to be sure they are not broken or chipped, as they could change the sound quality. If you have a spare, replace them.
- Before removing them, use a marker to mark the position of the reeds in the call, so that they can be put back in the same place. Misalignment of these elements interferes with the tonality of the sound, and could make it difficult to make accurate calls.
