Duck Hunting: Selective Calling for Late-Season

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No matter where you hunt late-season ducks, certain factors impact calling sequences, volume and what you might be trying to say. Wind speed and direction, habitat, terrain and hunting pressure—especially on public land—all influence how you run a duck call. The number of stagnant ducks in the area versus newly arriving birds from the North also affects your calling approach.

The more wind you face and the more open the habitat, the louder you may need to call in order to capture the attention of ducks. The same is true when hunting pressured birds. But do you need to keep hammering on that call to coax ducks into the decoys?

“Late in the season I call just enough to turn the heads of distant ducks, then let the decoys do the work,” said Austin Crowson, an accomplished waterfowler who hunts rivers and sloughs in the Pacific Northwest where late-season pressure is high.

“For me, the late season is about decoy placement and calling less,” said Justin Brodnax, a Texas guide I’ve hunted with. “Birds are courting and pairing up down here late in the season. Because it’s so open, ducks can see decoys from a long way away.” On our late-season puddle-duck hunt, once birds saw the decoys, Brodnax offered feeding chuckles and subtle quacks. Once birds turned, he shut up.

Be Thoughtful

I hear a lot of loud, seemingly desperate calling by hunters late in the season. Rather than over-blowing calls, think about what you’re saying. Feeding chuckles simulate a calm flock of ducks and are great for bringing in edgy birds. A single hen quack and a drake whistle are also effective for getting ducks to finish in the decoys.

Species-specific calls are worth using. Wigeon and pintail whistles, along with shrill teal peeps are great for attracting their own species. Mixing in these whistles with a mallard quack, or a spread-out series of lazy quacks, is a solid combination.

If ducks can hear you but aren’t responding, rather than calling louder, faster and more aggressively, try toning it down. Going with less threatening, more natural and relaxed sounds will often convince wary ducks to commit. If not, don’t push it. Those birds might not initially respond, but if they fly around and encounter other hunters who are over-calling, they might come back to the more relaxed flock: you. I see this happen many times every year in the closing weeks of duck season.

Varying tones and sequences can also fool late ducks. Going from high-pitch tones to lower pitch by using less air pressure often appeals to wise ducks. Combining feeding chuckles with drake whistles and lazy hen sounds can also be good. Mimicking the sounds you hear ducks make is a safe approach.

With the final weeks of duck season upon us, don’t panic and relentlessly blow on those calls. Think about what you’re saying, watch how ducks respond and call with a purpose.

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