The best duck hunters know preparation doesn't only happen the morning of; it's something we practice year-round. One of the best ways you can set yourself up for success is by honing in on your calling abilities by practicing in the off-season, because remember, there is no off-season! This week we’re going to break down the nitty-gritty “whys” behind calling and hopefully give you a deeper insight into duck communication.
Understanding Duck Communication:
Ducks, part of the Anatidae family, have well-developed auditory systems and a specialized vocal organ called the syrinx. These vocalizations are crucial for communication, mating, displays, territorial defense, and navigation. Ducks live in social groups, and communication is essential for maintaining group cohesion. They also use vocalizations for long-distance migrations and territorial defense. Ducks are highly attuned to auditory stimuli, particularly the calls from members of their same species. Ducklings are so attuned that they can actually learn the maternal sounds of their mother sitting on her nest and even the sounds of their unhatched siblings peeping away in their eggs days before they hatch!
Learning to properly mimic natural vocalizations, such as hen quacks or feeding sounds, can bring ducks a lot closer to hunters by triggering their natural instincts. So how important is it to truly master sounding “ducky?” Pretty important! While ringing some notes and calls can bring our feathered friends closer to the kill hole, the unnatural placement of sounds or unfamiliar sounds may elicit caution or even an avoidance response. We've all been there… Your buddy stands on their call a little too heavy, and the ducks flare like they were just shot at.
Matching Calls to Situational Contexts
You've probably heard the different types of calls ducks make broken down into different styles. Today we will cover a few basics and when they are most useful: the quack call, the hail call, the comeback, feed chatter, and the greeting call. Mastering these calls is crucial to communicate adequately with ducks, but equally important is knowing when to let them ring!
The quack is one of the most common and recognizable vocalizations. In the wild, the basic loud quack associated with ducks is the call of the female mallard. On the other hand, the male utters soft, raspy notes or short whistles. This makes the quack call irresistible for a drake searching for a hen. Everyone wants to know what the best callers “say” into the call to create a quack. I've heard all sorts of answers on this, but as the late legend, Butch Richenback, used to teach, just say “quack!”
The quack is the cornerstone of all calling; master it first. When you’re looking to purchase a duck call, find one that quacks clean and easy for you! Next, determine your tone board placement and how it works best for you. Then, every time you blow your call, do it that way! A lot of great callers prefer to keep the reed on the bottom, saying it helps them with some spit control. But figure out what works best for you and stick with it.
The feed chatter: This one has a lot of nicknames. Call it whatever you want, but it is a series of rapid, quieter calls that resemble ducks feeding on the water's surface or on dry land. It consists of soft clucks and chattering sounds. This is the call you hear explained as “tukka tukka, or dukka dukka, tikka tikka, dugga, dugga.”
The feed chatter is tricky to get the hang of, but so much fun once you have it down! You can improve your sound by turning your call around in your hand and listening to the wind, pressure, and natural sounds without vibrating the reed.
Start slow when you’re learning! Similar to the rhythm of a heartbeat, there is no need to add speed until you’re comfortable and the sounds are coming out clean. Get used to the pressure and movements required to make these little chatters. Throwing in the occasional quack is as easy as just saying “gey” or "gah." So for example, you would go from “tikka tikka tikka tikka” to “tikka tikka gey, tikka tikka gah.”
The feed chatter is effective in situations where ducks are actively feeding or resting on the water. It creates an illusion of safety and abundance, encouraging other ducks to join in.
The hail call draws the attention of distant ducks with its loud, attention-grabbing sound. It consists of a series of loud, drawn-out notes.
Hail calls are effective when trying to attract ducks from a distance or in situations where ducks are flying high overhead. It's often used to grab the attention of passing flocks. In a hail call, the notes start high and ride down the scale with an even tempo.
The comeback call bears a resemblance to the hail and finds its application in comparable scenarios. The comeback, however, is slightly more aggressive and should really only be used as a last-ditch effort to change their mind or to elicit an immediate response, such as hunting in the flooded timber. Similar to the hail, it is a series of loud quacks until the ducks either turn around and head in your direction or leave. The comeback call is usually a series of about 5–7 notes. With a comeback call, the first note is louder, longer, and more forceful, demanding attention. If it doesn't work, let them go, no need to overcomplicate it.
The greeting call is a friendly, welcoming sound used by ducks to communicate with each other when they reunite or approach one another. A greeting call is similar to a hail call, but with shorter, softer, more friendly notes.
Greeting calls are suitable for situations where ducks are already in close proximity or approaching the decoy spread. It signals to the ducks that it's safe to land. Pick a duck, and watch their behavior when you're calling. Do they seem to like what you have to say? Change it up, and remember that sometimes less can be more.
Adapting to changing conditions:
As hunters, we always have to be ready to adapt our strategies based on environmental factors completely out of our control. Being proficient and confident in your calling, as well as being willing to adapt as things change, will give you an advantage that a lot of other people won't possess. For example, if the wind picks up, you may need to change the volume of your calling. If you've been practicing all summer long, things like this will feel natural and easy when you're out in the field or water. Remember to watch the ducks' behaviors and always be ready to change things up when they aren't working the way you had planned!
Mastering duck calling isn't just about showing off. It's about a deeper connection with nature—the ability to communicate in some way with a wild animal. As our world endlessly evolves around us, there is one thing we can count on as timeless, and that, my friends, is the pursuit of these wild ducks and bringing wild organic game home to put on the table and proudly share with those we care about. Remember, sharing this passion is what keeps the sport alive! Keep practicing your skills, and as always, keep talkin’!