Question:

I just started duck hunting last year and I just simply fell in love with it. I have been practicing calling almost every day and I think I am getting better. My question for you is when calling at mallards do you only call at their sides and their butts, and when their coming straight at you? With soft quacks or feed calls?

Thanks, Jeremy Albright

Answer:

Jeremy,

Thanks for your questions. While there are some good general rules about calling (such as the ones you mentioned about calling to their sides and tails) I would offer that while that strategy usually works well, that learning to read birds and how they respond to calling is ultimately the best way to become an effective caller.

I have had many experiences where ducks wanted the call right until they were about to land and many others where no calling was more effective than any calling at all! I would suggest that you approach every new day differently and watch how the birds respond and use a trial and error approach to find what will and won’t work on any given day. I think you will find that because of migration status, weather, hunting pressure that conditions will change quickly and your calling strategy should change as well. Have a great season

John Devney

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