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To be a successful duck hunter, the primary requirement is to find ducks to shoot.
Setting up in a place they frequent is often not enough; sometimes you need to find a way to call them to your location. And for that, you’ll need a duck call.
If you’re a serious hunting enthusiast, a duck call is a must-have item on all of your trips.
5 Best Duck Calls Reviewed
1. Duck Commander Duck Call
- Durable High-Impact Construction: Built with rugged,...
- Double-Reed, Friction Fit System: Equipped with a...
- Camo Pattern: Features the Realtree Max4 camo pattern,...
Hunter, collector, or simply a gun enthusiast—whatever your reason for being into guns, you need somewhere to store them, and Winchester’s RAS gun rack is just the ticket.
Built with a revolving base, this vertical rack stores up to a dozen guns at a single time. You’ll be able to gently apply pressure to one stock or barrel to move everything around at once.
Duck calls designed for close quarters aim to distract the duck.
This finishing call allows you to keep the upper hand even when you zero in on their position, partly due to the real tree camouflage design that blends in properly with the woodland setting.
Last but not least, you can choose larger packs to bolster your duck call stockade or grab some for your fellow hunters at a discounted price.
Pros
- Fully camouflaged design
- Close-in finishing call for close-quarter duck hunting
- High-impact plastic construction for long-term use
- Perfect for hardcore hunters
- Mallard calls are suitable.
Con
- Will not blow when wet.
Features
- Vocalization: This is best used as a close-in finishing call.
- Material: Plastic
- Type: Tube
- Custom-tuned calls
- Mid- to low-range tone
2. Duck Commander Pro Series Duck Call
- Authentic Duck Sound: The Jase Robertson Pro Series Duck...
- Versatile Performance: Features a piercing high end for open...
- Easy to Use: The easiest blowing duck call we've ever...
Duck calls used to be extremely difficult to produce. It resembled playing a clarinet with a blockage.
Duck Commander is known for innovating duck calls for the esteemed hunter, but in this case, they’ve done something far better than simply making it easier to sound the call: they’ve made it look fantastic while you use it.
It’s true; you have to exert less breath to call ducks. That means you won’t look like such a tryhard while using it, but the tigerwood handle with Jase Robertson’s stamp of approval will be eye-catching enough to make you look like a professional.
Mix that with the clear plastic mouthpiece, and you’ll have one of the easiest times ever while duck hunting. There’s a reason that this made the #1 best seller list on Amazon; it’s so simple and fun to use.
Pros
- An engraved wooden handle adds finesse to your hunting gear.
- A riveted double-reed ensures that your voice is authentic.
- It requires very little blowing to actually sound like a great duck call.
- Easy to use
- High and low-end tones
Con
- In cold environments, it will freeze up.
Features
- Vocalization: Use a piercing high end for open water applications and a soft, raspy low end for finishing
- Material: Various, depending on the model
- Type: Tube
- Unique design
- Wide vocalization range
3. Duck Commander Uncle Si Duck Call
- Durable Polycarbonate Build: Made from tough polycarbonate...
- Designed for Beginners: The Uncle Si Duck Call is ideal for...
- Produces Raspy Duck Calls: Delivers a reliable, raspy duck...
What kind of hunter are you? Have you been doing it for years, or are you new to the game? You know what? It doesn’t matter. Not with Uncle Si’s single-reed system.
The rapsy, low growl it produces effectively directs the ducks towards you. Don’t worry; it’s still loud enough for the ducks to hear.
This brings them closer to you, enabling you to overthrow them. Do not worry if you are unable to execute your duck call due to the urgency of the situation.
It’s crafted out of high-grade polycarbonate, so it’s not going to be damaged easily, regardless of what you do. Under normal circumstances, poly will scratch, but not break or chip. That construction is why they can keep it so inexpensive.
For that reason, this Robertson Duck Commander duck call is the cheapest. While it’s not as straightforward to blow as the Jase Robertson edition, it’s still far simpler to use than most dollar-store duck calls.
Pros
- The single-reed system has a raspier tone for more immediate action.
- The polycarbonate design keeps costs down while remaining durable.
- It is suitable for seasoned professionals or newcomers.
- You can utilize it for different species, such as teal and wood ducks.
- This item is extremely durable and will last longer than the hunter.
Con
- Higher priced
Features
- Vocalization: High-Raspy Tune
- Material: polycarbonate material
- Type: Tube
- Raspy and simple to blow
- Friction-fit style call
4. Buck Gardner Duck Call
- Field-ready combo pack for duck hunting
- Includes the easy-to-use Mallard Magic double reed hen...
- Also includes the versatile 6-in-1 Whistle for mallard...
So imagine this: it’s late season, and those raspier calls just aren’t cutting it.
When ducks are migrating, they need something a bit more attention-grabbing to really compel them to travel from their flight paths.
The Buck Gardner duck whistle, also known as “The Finisher,” will come in handy just as you anticipate their departure for the season. The high range will surprise those who’ve been using varied duck calls throughout their hunting careers. This thing moves.
And it doesn’t just call for your standard wood duck. Mallards, pintails, widgeons, and other duck types will all listen to the call since it taps into their instincts.
If you’re heading late season, you can’t go in unarmed. You have to bring a strategy with you, and Buck Gardner is giving you one for half the cost of a Robertson call.
Their benefits may make it worth bringing one of each on your next duck hunting trip.
Pros
- The whistling sound creates a very high range.
- It was designed to call late-season ducks and divert them from their flight paths.
- Mallards, pintails, wood ducks, and widgeons, among others, are called for.
- The new reed design makes a much more dynamic call.
- Call is excellent for beginners.
Con
- No noticeable cons
Features
- Vocalization: A versatile confidence call.
- Material: rubber and plastic
- Type: Tube
- Made in USA
- A versatile confidence call
5. Primos Hunting 805 Duck Call
- Requires little air pressure to blow
- Single-reed call
- Blows when wet
Last but not least, this is a useful addition to have with your duck hunting gear.
If you’ve ever dropped your duck call in the mud or pulled it out of a wet pocket, then you’ve probably cursed the heavens above. Primos works when wet, so you’ll still get 90–95% of the volume of your duck call without having to dry it off or worry.
Primos ended up being our most inexpensive option for this whole list. They opted for thin mylar, a material that lacks durability. Unlike the Duck Commander lineup, you won’t be able to put this to the test.
We actually recommend getting a small protective case for it if you’re bringing it along for the ride or keeping it in an external tactical pouch or backpack slot so you don’t accidentally break it.
So it’s more fragile than the others, but it’s your most cost-effective option. This call is loud. Ducks will hear it, but you’ll even see your bloodhound and your buddy turn their heads toward you.
It has that “ducky” sound that you’ve traditionally heard in films (when they overlay it with stock duck sounds), and it performs flawlessly almost every time.
Pros
- Works even when wet.
- The blowing motion is simple and suitable for a single-reed call.
- A loud call attracts attention across a large space.
- It requires little air pressure to blow.
- The.010-thin Mylar reed greatly simplifies the blowing process.
Con
- Not suitable for beginners
Features
- Vocalization: single-reed call
- Material: Mylar Reed
- Type: Tube
- 100% designed and tested for the most challenging situations and environments.
- Designed with a neck attachment
How Do Duck Calls Work?
Your average duck call The device resembles a tube and contains a vibrating reed that mimics the sound of a duck’s call.
Duck calls are different than goose calls, as they require a slight buzzing and vibrating noise that comes from a reeded design in order to help attract specific types of ducks.
Compared to some other calls on the market, duck calls do take a bit of time to perfect, and they’re also less durable than other calls due to the fickle design of the internal reed.
This means that when investing in a high-quality duck call, you want to do your research to ensure that it will last for years to come.
Most duck calls are made to last a fairly long time in intense environments, such as out on the field during your hunting trip, but should be cared for properly to ensure that they perform at their best ability.
Final Word
A good duck call will not only be easy to use but also produce an accurate sound every time.
While part of the duck call sound is up to the hunter, it is important that your duck call produce a consistent reed sound in order to ensure that you can always attract the right kind of duck.
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to operate a faulty duck call only to see your target fly away. Both plastic and wooden duck calls have their advantages and disadvantages.
While plastic duck calls are more durable, their sound can often have a bit of an odd quality to it, making them not necessarily ideal when it comes to mimicking a specific duck call.
Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage wooden duck calls, potentially leading to a crack in the main cylinder under pressure. If you find yourself often hunting a very specific kind of duck, investing in a high-quality wooden duck call may be the best for you.
However, if you are looking for a more general, beginner duck call, plastic duck calls come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and intended duck call sounds to allow you to practice without a large startup price.