How To Use Your Call

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 The Basics

Every duck call is just a tool - the real magic is in your breath and rhythm. Think of it like learning a musical instrument. With a little practice, even the “Average Joe” can sound like a pro in the blind.

Step 1: Grip It Right

• Hold the barrel (the larger end) in your dominant hand.
• Cup your other hand around the end of the call to help shape and control the sound.

Step 2: Air, Not Voice

• Don’t blow with your throat - use short bursts of air from your diaphragm, like fogging up a window.
• Think “huff” not “blow.”

Step 3: Start Simple

• Quack: The building block of every duck sound. One sharp burst of air: QUACK.
• Greeting Call: A series of 5-7 quacks, spaced evenly, to get attention.
• Feed Call: Short, choppy bursts (ticka-ticka-ticka), like ducks feeding in the marsh.

Step 4: Less is More

• Ducks are sharp - if you’re too loud or too busy, they’ll flare off.
• Call just enough to grab attention, then let your decoys and setup do the rest.

Step 5: Practice Makes Perfect

• Practice at home, in the truck, or walking the dog (your neighbors might not love it, but the ducks will).
• Start slow - clean, clear quacks are better than messy “duck gibberish.”

Step 1: Understand the Goal

Predator calls are about tricking the ear. You’re imitating distress or prey sounds to draw coyotes, foxes, or bobcats into range.

Step 2: Grip & Airflow

• Hold the call firmly but comfortably, with your hand cupped around the end.
• Blow short, controlled bursts of air (like saying “wah” or “eeeee”) to make the reed vibrate.

Step 3: Core Sounds

• Rabbit Distress: High-pitched, frantic wails in 20-30 second bursts. Pause for 1-2 minutes, then repeat.
• Rodent Squeak: Short, high squeaks - great for close-range predators or finishing a cautious coyote.
• Coyote Howl: One long, steady note (lonesome howl) or several sharp yips to trigger territorial instincts.

Step 4: Timing & Patience

• Call for 20-30 seconds, then sit quietly for 1-3 minutes. Predators often sneak in cautiously.
• Mix up your sequence - don’t play the same sound pattern over and over.

Step 5: Field Awareness

• Always set up with wind in your face - coyotes circle downwind almost every time.
• Be ready - they may appear silently, scanning for movement.