Duck Calling Strategies

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I learned from my dad who always said never call when ducks are on top or cupped up in front headed your way.

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This is correct.

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I hunted with a guy last year who would talk them in the whole way with light calling until we decided to shoot. It seemed to work well, but I know every situation is different.

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Killed several last season without ever picking up a call. To me, staying quiet works better than calling too much.

I was told to only call to wing tips and tail feathers. Also calling less is always a good idea by the time the birds hit Louisiana. They have seen it, and heard it all by the time they get here.

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Also calling less is always a good idea by the time the birds hit Louisiana. They have seen it, and heard it all by the time they get here.

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Or maybe they have never seen a decoy or heard a duck call.

A mallard may pick up and move 700-800 miles in a work day.

If they kicked off their migration in the prairie and set in a reserve to feed up for a few days, the next stop could very well be in Arkansas or Louisiana.

There are alot of misconceptions that these ducks just puddle jump in front of freeze up. Research has not backed this up. The ducks generally move well ahead of a freeze and with a tail wind can knock out 100 mph speeds. It doesnt take long to have them here.


Let a duck tell you what they want. Every group is different.

Hi ball hail them baws all the way til their feets hit the water. The pond check they arse. Snap 10,000 Instagram pics. Head to the house

Actually being able to blow a call is one thing; knowing when and what to call is another. I'm not a great duck caller, but would consider myself a pretty darn good spec caller and I'm most effective when basically zone out. It literally feels like I'm speaking their language intuitively, kind of a weird to describe.

Point being, takes a lot of experience. From day to day, even year to year it seems you have to figure out what they want.

To me, both methods can work. I don't call when ducks are cupped or I can tell they are coming in. I may give a little feed call but that's about it if I feel I have them coming. You can call the whole time but I feel like there's a lot more margin for error. I'm not an all pro caller but I have never had a problem getting ducks to come in by keeping it simple.

If going away, i'll hit them with a 7-note "comeback" when/if theys start to turn i'll hit the with 5-note "paralyzer" with some feed call mixed in as needed. If they want it, that 5-note will make them turn on a dime. And when they turn hard to me I get a chub. Loud arse high ball and feed call for the high fliers.

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This "paralyzer" term is new to me.

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. Pretty sure that's from Phil's art of commanding ducks. I call like he instructs in that vid and it works.

Goose calling is very satisfying because they will call back at you. I do not have a speck call down but have impressed the hell out of some people going back and forth with groups of snow geese.

Less is More.

Your Dad is right, if they are committed to the spread, cupped up and dropping, don’t call, maybe a whistle to keep them interested.

Personally i think you got to learn their body language, if they break pattern after you call, you know you got their attention and they liked it. Some take more convincing than others,