CallLESS duck hunt

[Javelin]

As some know I am newish to duck hunting. I have been several times over last 20 years but wasn’t till year before last I really had fun and went as much as I could. 90% of my hunting is done alone and it’s always been at my deer lease for wood ducks. I did shoot one mallard and some mergansers. For woodies I toss out a half dozen decs with a couple motion ones and do really well without ever having to use a duck call. Sometimes I don’t even use decoys as I know the x they are coming to or I am in a pass shoot spot.

anyhow it may be the case this year that my lease is goin to be inaccessible due to road conditions from all the floods so I want to prepare to go to Rayburn or dam b with my flatbottom. I have 4 to 5 dozen decoys mallards woodies and teal, BUT my problem is although I watch videos and practice hours a day I can’t blow a duck call to save my life. Do I have any hope to ever kill ducks other than woodies?

[HUNTNETIME]

I'd be willing to bet more ducks are scared away from hunters by bad calling than no calling at all.

[Kevin]

I can’t blow a duck call to save my life.

Have you tried sucking?

[ThisLadyHunts]

Have you tried sucking?

Oh, you are so bad.

[DUKFVR]

Use a whistle. I very rarely do any calling on public land with a duck call. Ducks get call shy fast. Some hunts I never pick up a call or whistle. Just be where the ducks want to be.

[Radman]

In my opinion calling is probably the most overrated aspect of duck hunting. I think decoy lay out and blind concealment are most important to me. I do carry two calls, a pin tail whistle and a diver call. I will only use them when I’m seeing the ducks circle the spread but they aren’t quite ready to commit to them.

[Medina19]

x2 on whistle. Turned more ducks with the whistle than a traditional call in the refuge.

[Paycheck]

I agree with the whistle. It's been years since I hunted but I used a coach's whistle and took the ball out of it. Only blow as the last resort.

[Gumbo Man]

Use a whistle. I very rarely do any calling on public land with a duck call. Ducks get call shy fast. Some hunts I never pick up a call or whistle. Just be where the ducks want to be.

What he said. Just blend in.

[Quackerbox]

Use a whistle. I very rarely do any calling on public land with a duck call. Ducks get call shy fast. Some hunts I never pick up a call or whistle. Just be where the ducks want to be.

Yep. Scouting and be on the X matters on public

[3rdCoastHunter]

Duck calls and all the gadgets - save your money

[friscopaint]

Rarely if ever call mainly whistle and both just to get their attention. Nephew is good and loves calling which doesn't bother me but not sure if it has really made a big difference in our hunts since we limit out every hunt anyway, private and 300 yds from the house.

[nhk001]

I hardly ever use a duck call, especially on public land. Like others say, they get wise about calls. Now does calling work, well yes, sometimes. Get you a spinning wing decoy and with your 3 to 4 dozen decoys, you'll be fine.

[Sasqy]

Yup !
Even a sorry high school coach, can blow a whistle.

[friscopaint]

I hardly ever use a duck call, especially on public land. Like others say, they get wise about calls. Now does calling work, well yes, sometimes. Get you a spinning wing decoy and with your 3 to 4 dozen decoys, you'll be fine.

We don't use spinners, if no wind we use the movement feeding battery operated ones. Moved to Lifetime decoys and they move great in little wind