Help me pick a call

[AppalachianHollers]

Trying new calls is great, and I'm not trying to discourage it, but that Quackhead will easily make the type of sounds you mention once you actually learn to operate it. Some calls do it easier, but they give up something else. By all means, buy a call with a 1/4" bore to play with, but also stick with that Quackhead. It will make all the sounds from a mainstreet hail to snotty little hens. Once you really master it, you'll find the sweet spots in other calls easily.

I have a "New" Old Style Butch handed me when they were first coming out that I pick up and play with every now and then because it's so much fun.

I have been thinking about this. As much as I would love to get a top-notch wood call this offseason, I also realize it's not strictly necessary for me to become a better hunter---for my 2nd season I may be better off just getting a 1/4" poly to add to my lanyard. More money for used dekes now that I'll be able to take more than I can carry on my back.

This past week I've gotten to where I can "bounce" with the J-frame. Still working on consistency, doing it better, and unsure if I'm adding too much of what people call "voice" to the call. But it feels good to be getting somewhere.

 

[bill cooksey]

I have been thinking about this. As much as I would love to get a top-notch wood call this offseason, I also realize it's not strictly necessary for me to become a better hunter---for my 2nd season I may be better off just getting a 1/4" poly to add to my lanyard. More money for used dekes now that I'll be able to take more than I can carry on my back.

This past week I've gotten to where I can "bounce" with the J-frame. Still working on consistency, doing it better, and unsure if I'm adding too much of what people call "voice" to the call. But it feels good to be getting somewhere.

There are differences between good poly calls and good wooden or acrylic calls, but it would be difficult to appreciate those differences if you haven't mastered either. In my opinion, you are thinking right. Really figure your call out, and you'll be better able to pick out the right high end call. Then the price won't bother you so much. At this point it would be like buying Hevishot or bismuth hoping it will make you a better shot when you can't hit much with Xpert steel.

Apologies to all my callmaker friends.

 

[Rick Hall]

Man , these calling forums have really have went to crap . I had thought they were , but spending more time at the calling section here lately now I know for certain .

The mentality my clique , my call , my qualifications are holier-than-thou is truly sickening . Newsflash : 99.9% of the world could care less . The day we have to call 70 year old ? Rick Hall to the carpet to justify himself on a bird whistle is about the day I sign off . Y’all have a great rest of your day , best of luck to ya .

Gary, yours has been a most welcome contribution here, and I'd hate to see you leave. And especially over this. Stump's just Stump, I'm just me and the Internet's the Internet. Just how it is. Please "don't throw the baby out with the bath water".

 

[AppalachianHollers]

There are differences between good poly calls and good wooden or acrylic calls, but it would be difficult to appreciate those differences if you haven't mastered either. In my opinion, you are thinking right. Really figure your call out, and you'll be better able to pick out the right high end call. Then the price won't bother you so much. At this point it would be like buying Hevishot or bismuth hoping it will make you a better shot when you can't hit much with Xpert steel.

Apologies to all my callmaker friends.

That’s the other thing...with the coronavirus going on there’s hardly a place around me that’s willing to let people blow calls before buying.

Whenever I sink more money into a call, it’d be nice to have given it a “test drive” first instead of hoping the combination of a specific call (with a unique wood grain, potentially) + my air sounds like a guy on a sound file (with a different wood grain).

 

[THEIRCOMMITED10]

Mr Rick my main goal is to learn and have fun here trading info and collecting calls but it’s time for a little break in these parts . Its a shame when it becomes a constant pee pee measuring contest while putting down folks . Leaves a real ugly taste in my mouth .

At the end of the day this is still the “duck and goose calling” forum . Not the duck and goose contest calling forum . Big difference . How do I know this . Ok fine . I’ll play and pull out the measuring stick . Because I hunt in a good flyway with mallards and gentlemen that most of you wouldn’t considered “qualified” enough to make a single post here . Those same unqualified guys have forgotten more about killing ducks than some will ever know or pretend to know about mallard duck hunting .

Let me tell you a little secrete . Let’s put the shoe on the right foot for once around here . Those “unqualified” folks that ain’t worth a lick . Betcha a snickers bar they see more , call more , and “kill” more mallards in a 60 day season . Than most will “see” in 5 seasons in the Atlantic Flyway . So at the end of the day , what does it truly mean to be qualified to talk around here about mallard duck calling ? If you have to blow a certain call or be a contest caller . Well that’s too bad count me out along with about 1 million other duck hunters .

 

[15thTN]

It's supposed to be fun.
Nobody is the best they all had help and worked together on calling possibly in Malone's shed for all we know. Its a community. Some of these guys had help from people that are gone. GONE.
If we don't share its over.
Sorry if I stepped on my pecker its going to happen. So? Have fun. Its a lot of fun if you let it be and quit measuring things. Cmon man

You wouldn't want some jack leg giving advice on your job site, and honestly in this case you're the jack leg. Like I said I hope one day, you pass me by, which wouldn't take a whole lot. It's not personal, but necessary. I'm not the only one that felt that way. Anyway we understand each other, and no sense in carrying it on.

I look forward to your progress, by all means keep posting videos and asking advice. Please refrain from giving advice to those, that certainly don't need it from you. At this point anyway.

 

[bill cooksey]

Mr Rick my main goal is to learn and have fun here trading info and collecting calls but it’s time for a little break in these parts . Its a shame when it becomes a constant pee pee measuring contest while putting down folks . Leaves a real ugly taste in my mouth .

At the end of the day this is still the “duck and goose calling” forum . Not the duck and goose contest calling forum . Big difference . How do I know this . Ok fine . I’ll play and pull out the measuring stick . Because I hunt in a good flyway with mallards and gentlemen that most of you wouldn’t considered “qualified” enough to make a single post here . Those same unqualified guys have forgotten more about killing ducks than some will ever know or pretend to know about mallard duck hunting .

Let me tell you a little secrete . Let’s put the shoe on the right foot for once around here . Those “unqualified” folks that ain’t worth a lick . Betcha a snickers bar they see more , call more , and “kill” more mallards in a 60 day season . Than most will “see” in 5 seasons in the Atlantic Flyway . So at the end of the day , what does it truly mean to be qualified to talk around here about mallard duck calling ? If you have to blow a certain call or be a contest caller . Well that’s too bad count me out along with about 1 million other duck hunters .

All true, and one can be great at operating a call while not being great at working ducks. The reverse can also be true, and I know several guys who sound like hell, but I'd never suggest they put the call in their pocket. I've been around enough to know there are a whole lot of ways you can successfully work a duck...sometimes.

There's a reason I say sounding like a duck is overrated, but it sure is fun to hear someone who can. I haven't really focused on that in a long time, but the realism thread got me playing around with it. It's fun. As to contests, when you hear two mainstreet guys who both sound great, listen close to their quacks. It's surprising how often you can separate them on something so basic, but forgetting the basics is human nature as someone progresses in almost any endeavor.

 

[DrakeStar]

Man , these calling forums have really have went to crap . I had thought they were , but spending more time at the calling section here lately now I know for certain .

The mentality my clique , my call , my qualifications are holier-than-thou is truly sickening . Newsflash : 99.9% of the world could care less . The day we have to call 70 year old ? Rick Hall to the carpet to justify himself on a bird whistle is about the day I sign off . Y’all have a great rest of your day , best of luck to ya .

Gary
Like the old saw goes.
All good things must end.
I venture back from time to time,but seen the writing on the wall way back when that big social media started taking members away by the boat load.
Heated good natured ribbings in any of the forums was a great trait of this page many years ago,now its pure hatred unless you agree.

 

[AppalachianHollers]

I’m new, but I dare say y’all’s spats are a bit more productive than the ones I see elsewhere.
Facebook groups have nowhere near the beneficial input as forums. They’re fine for getting quick suggestions, but not discussions.
Don’t bail and turn this place into a ghost town like DHC.

 

[15thTN]

Just had emergency surgery on my back, had a bulged disc for months and my original back doctor missed it. It finally got a nerve pinched, and been in more pain the last couple days, than I've ever been in. I pray none of you ever has to go through that. Everything before seems like a bad dream, and I apologize if I said anything crazy. Haven't went back and looked yet. I'm sure I was much edgier than I should've been.