Best Duck Calls to Attract More Waterfowl

Have you ever been out in the marsh, sitting in a blind, and watched a high-flying flock of mallards sail by, completely oblivious to your presence? You try a few quacks, a couple of hails, but they just keep on flying, tiny specks against a wide-open sky. It's a frustrating, humbling moment, isn't it? You know they're there, you're in the right spot, but it's like you're speaking a foreign language. It's the moment when you realize that your gun is just the period at the end of a long, compelling sentence, and that your duck call is the very first word.

For a waterfowler, a duck call isn’t just a piece of plastic or wood that makes noise; it's an instrument, an extension of your voice, and a direct line of communication with the birds you're after. A well-blown call can turn a seemingly impossible situation into a flurry of feathered wings and cupped feet. It can turn a flock that was headed for the next county into one that’s landing right in your decoys. But if you’ve ever walked into a sporting goods store, you know the feeling of being overwhelmed. The sheer variety is dizzying—acrylic, wood, polycarbonate, single reed, double reed, short barrel, long barrel. Where do you even begin? It’s like being a chef and being asked to choose just one knife from a wall of hundreds, isn't it?

For the past thirty years, I've had the pleasure of not only selling thousands of duck calls but also spending countless hours in the marsh, working ducks and listening to the symphony of the flyway. I've seen the evolution of calls from the classic, hand-turned wooden calls of yesterday to the high-tech, computer-machined marvels of today. I'm here to tell you that the secret to becoming a better duck hunter isn't always in your shooting; it’s often in your calling. In this ultimate guide, we're going to demystify the world of duck calls. We'll break down the different types of calls, the materials they're made from, and the specific situations where each one shines. We’ll also talk about the crucial relationship between the caller and the call. To top it all off, I’ll share some of my all-time favorite product reviews, so you can find the perfect call to add to your lanyard and start speaking the language of ducks.

The Three Pillars of a Great Duck Call

Before we dive into the specific products, let's lay the groundwork. There are three core principles that should guide your selection, acting like a compass in a sea of options. These aren't just features; they're the very essence of what makes a call effective.

1. Sound and Tone: This is the most obvious, yet most important, factor. A great duck call sounds like a real duck. But what does that mean? It’s not just about a loud quack. It’s about being able to produce a full range of sounds, from a piercing hail call to a soft, raspy feeding chuckle. The call’s tone—whether it's high, deep, or mellow—should be appropriate for your specific hunting environment.
   
   

2. Ease of Use: This is a crucial consideration for every hunter, especially beginners. A call that is difficult to blow, requires a lot of air, or gets stuck easily is a call that will be left at home. A good call should be responsive, forgiving, and easy to manipulate to produce a variety of sounds without a lot of effort.
   
   

3. Durability and Material: Your duck call is going to be out in the elements. It’s going to be exposed to mud, water, cold, and a fair amount of abuse. The material it's made from—whether it's wood, acrylic, or polycarbonate—determines its durability, its sound, and how it holds up over time. A call is an investment, and a well-made one will last you for many seasons.

Beyond the Basics:
Unpacking Key Features and Considerations

Now that we have our core principles, let's drill down into the details. When you're standing in front of a wall of calls, what should you be looking for?

• Single Reed vs. Double Reed:
  This is the age-old debate in the duck hunting world, and there’s no right answer—it’s about your personal preference and skill level. A double-reed call is generally much easier to blow and is more forgiving. It requires less air and is great for beginners who are just learning the basics of the quack, feed call, and greeting call. The sound is often raspy and less variable. A single-reed call, on the other hand, is much more versatile. It requires more air control and skill to operate, but it allows for a greater range of tones and a more realistic, lifelike sound. Most professional and competitive callers use a single-reed call because of its versatility.
  
  

• Material:
  The material of the call's barrel and insert has a huge impact on its sound and feel.

  • Polycarbonate: This is the most common material for entry-level and mid-range calls. It’s durable, weather-resistant, and can be mass-produced, which keeps the price down. The sound is often sharp and high-pitched.

  • Acrylic: This is a much denser and more durable material. Calls made from acrylic are more expensive, but they produce a louder, sharper, and more consistent sound. They are less prone to sticking and warping in different weather conditions.

  • Wood: Wooden calls, often made from cocobolo, hedge, or exotic hardwoods, are known for their warm, mellow, and realistic tones. They are a work of art and a joy to blow, but they require more maintenance. They can swell and warp in humid conditions and often need to be dried out after a hunt.
    
    

• Hunting Terrain:
  The type of environment you hunt in should influence your choice of call.

  • Open Water: If you're hunting on large lakes, reservoirs, or big rivers, you need a call that can reach out and grab the attention of high-flying ducks from a long distance. A louder, higher-pitched single-reed call is often the best choice for these conditions.

  • Timber/Small Ponds: In tight, timbered areas or small ponds, a loud, ringing call will sound unnatural and can spook ducks. A softer, more mellow call, often a double-reed or a wooden call, is perfect for these close-in situations where you need to get ducks to commit without scaring them.

The Hunter's Arsenal:
Seven Duck Call Reviews

Now for the fun part. After years of testing, selling, and using these products, I've curated a list of seven of my favorite duck calls. Each one offers something a little different, catering to various hunting styles and budgets.

Haydel's Game Calls DR-85 Double Reed Mallard

Price Range: $$20 - $30

• Review: If you’re a beginner just starting your duck hunting journey, or a seasoned hunter who just wants a reliable, easy-to-blow call, the Haydel's DR-85 is a legend for a reason. Nicknamed "The Deceiver," this is one of the easiest double-reed calls to blow on the market. It requires very little air pressure to produce a realistic, raspy quack, making it perfect for beginners who haven't developed their air control yet. The call is also incredibly forgiving and will produce a variety of realistic sounds. It may not have the volume for open water, but in a flooded timber or a small pond, it’s an absolute killer. For the price, you simply cannot beat the performance and reliability of this call.
  
  
  
  

Echo Calls XLT (Xtra Loud Timber) Single Reed

Price Range: $$120 - $160

• Review: Echo Calls are a staple on the lanyard of many serious timber hunters, and the XLT is a prime example of why. As the name suggests, this call is designed to be loud and raspy for timber hunting, but what makes it special is its versatility. It has a great low-end that can get soft and raspy for finishing ducks in the hole, but it can also hit a high, ringing hail call that can pull ducks from a distance. The acrylic body provides a clean, crisp sound that holds up in any weather. While it’s a single-reed call, it’s known for being one of the more forgiving single reeds to blow, making it a great choice for the intermediate hunter who is looking to step up their game.
  
  
  
  
  

Rich-N-Tone Calls (RNT) Daisy Cutter

Price Range: $$160 - $200

• Review: RNT is a name synonymous with contest calling and serious duck hunting, and the Daisy Cutter is one of their most iconic calls. This single-reed call is for the hunter who wants aggressive, in-your-face power. It's built to "cut" through the wind and noise of a big, open spread and get the attention of ducks from miles away. The sound is raw, loud, and full of that classic "bark" that can turn a flock of high-flyers on a dime. While it can be a bit more challenging for a beginner to master, the payoff is huge. The Daisy Cutter is a workhorse of a call, designed to put ducks in the decoys, and for that reason, it's a staple on the lanyards of many of the best callers in the country.
  
  
  
  

Duck Commander Jase Robertson Pro Series

Price Range: $$60 - $70

• Review: You can't talk about duck calls without mentioning Duck Commander. The Jase Robertson Pro Series is a fantastic, versatile call that works for a wide range of hunters. It’s a double-reed call that's designed to be the easiest to blow in the Duck Commander lineup. It has a fantastic high-end for open water and a great, raspy low-end for finishing ducks. The call's unique design is patented and it's built with a durable, easy-to-maintain barrel. It’s a call that can do it all and is an excellent value for the money. If you want a call that’s easy to blow and can be used in a variety of situations, this is a great option.
  
  
  
  

Zink Calls Z-2 Polycarbonate Single Reed

Price Range: $$30 - $40

• Review: Zink Calls are known for their quality and performance, and the Z-2 Polycarbonate Single Reed is a prime example. This call is a fantastic option for the hunter who wants the versatility of a single reed without the high price tag of an acrylic or custom call. The polycarbonate material makes it incredibly durable and reliable in all weather conditions, and it’s a very forgiving call for a single-reed. It can produce a loud, aggressive sound for open water but can also be toned down for a more subtle finish. It’s a great stepping stone call for a hunter who is looking to transition from a double reed to a single reed.
  
  
  
  

Goose Hitter Calls Green Wing Teal

Price Range: $$25 - $35

• Review: A duck call lanyard isn't complete without a few specialty calls, and a teal whistle is a must-have for any waterfowler. The Goose Hitter Calls Green Wing Teal is a fantastic, no-frills whistle that produces an incredibly realistic sound. It's a simple, easy-to-use call that can be used to add a touch of realism to your spread and attract those fast-flying teal. It's a small detail, but one that can make all the difference, especially in the early season. This is a great, budget-friendly addition to any hunter’s arsenal.
  
  
  
  

Bill Collector Calls Original Duck Slayer

Price Range: $$150 - $200

• Review: Bill Collector Calls have made a name for themselves in the custom call market, and their Original Duck Slayer is a call that delivers on its promise. This is a hand-tuned, acrylic single-reed call that is built for serious hunters. It’s known for its incredibly clean, raspy, and realistic sound that is hard to replicate with mass-produced calls. While it requires a bit of skill to get the most out of it, the call has a fantastic range of tones and can get incredibly soft and quiet for those wary birds in the last few yards. It's a premium call that is built to last and will provide you with a lifetime of performance.

Final Thoughts:
Your Voice in the Woods

Choosing the right duck call is a deeply personal journey. It’s about finding an instrument that feels like an extension of your own voice, one that allows you to communicate with the birds on their terms. Don't be afraid to experiment with different calls and different materials. Start with a double reed if you're a beginner, practice in your car, and learn the basics. When you're ready, try a single reed and explore the full range of sounds that it can produce.

A duck call is more than just a piece of gear; it’s a link to the rich traditions of our sport. It's the sound of a cold, crisp morning in the blind, the sound of a flock of ducks cupping their wings, and the sound of success. It's your voice in the woods, and with the right call and a little bit of practice, you can use it to create a symphony that even the most educated birds can't resist. So, go out there, find your voice, and get ready for a season full of cupped wings and beautiful sights. Happy hunting!