Duck Call

[WingWavers]

Hello Avery Pro-staff. I was wondering if you could help me out? I currently use Haydel's DR-85 duck call. It sounds great if you're meat caller, which I am, and it really reaches out and gets the ducks attention. My problem is, by the middle of the day, I have to re-tune it, as it never sounds the same as when I started. The barrels also crack easily and I have had to replace allot of reeds. Haydel has been great to work with, as they have replaced barrels for me FOC as well as reeds. But I always experience the same problems over and over. I thought the problem was solved when I purchased the Redleg call they developed. However, it doesn't sound quite the same and the volume isn't there. I know you're thinking I get what I pay for! However, I can't find a good quality call that sounds like the DR-85. I don't mind spending the money on a good one, if I could find one. As you know, calls always sound different in the store than they do in the real elements. Do you have any recommendations? Sorry for the long winded message, but I wanted you to know all the specifics. Thanks

[Shawn Stahl]

WingWavers,

Your right those DR-85 make an excellent field call and have seduced their share of ducks over the years.

Choosing a call is a matter of personel preference determined by individual needs. Those needs can be sound, customer service, costs, hunting situations, etc.

My recomendation would be first to try out some of your buddies calls, then head to a sporting goods retailer near you. If you ask real nice most of the time you can go out back and give it a test drive.

Most call makers will work with you after the purchase to "tweak" a call a little to meet your specific needs.

I see that your from Minnesota. Every year in August they have the Game Fair held near the Twin Cities. There are several retail chains and individual call makers that have booths spaces and allow you to test calls in an outside enviorment.

Shawn

[WingWavers]

Thanks Shawn, Not only am I aware of the Anoka County Game Fair, I actually had a booth there. I manufacture a goose decoy and unveiled it at the show. Believe me, my ear was tuned to a duck call that sounded like the DR-85, but I just didn't hear one. Goose calls on the other hand, were a dime a dozen. Some very good one's I might add. Because I had to work the booth most of the time, I did not get around to test calls. Since you are familiar with the DR-85, do you know of anything similar to it I could try?

[Bill Cooksey]

WingWavers,
I'll second Shawn's advice about trying the call outside. Quite often, the sound you hear in a store will change once you walk out the door. If you are willing to spend more money, you might give the Haydel Cocacrylic a shot. It should be much more durable than a DR-85, and I would expect the sound to be as good or better. Also, most of the custom callmaker will make a double reed. I've blown the Rich-N-Tone doubles, and they have a great sound. I know Echo will also do this for you.
Bill Cooksey

[Russ Allison]

I understand your problems with Haydel's calls.I agree that they definitely do produce an original sound and volume, but some seem higher pitched than a good deep mallard.I believe that RNT produces the best quality and has good service.In the store and outside, they still produce a deep real duck sound.

[WingWavers]

Thanks Bill, I think I'll give Echo and RNT a try. We only have a few more days to hunt ducks up here in MN....at least I'll have something to do in the offseason. Other than painting decoys of course.

PS...I thought I would get more suggestions or referrels from the this board? Everyone must be out in the fields.