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Bird Hunting!
Beautiful!
Last evening, I stepped out on the deck and noticed a light/white circle around the moon. In the past, this has always signified that you had about 30 days before seeing the big flocks of both ducks and geese heading north to Canada.
It is time to get out the packing lists, take inventory, and in the interest of upcoming bird seasons shoot a few rounds of skeet. I’m not really satisfied with my repertoire of bird calls. Duck is better than goose but need to practice on both of my “come-back” calls. I did go out and buy a couple of calls last year but didn’t really have an opportunity to practice.
Think this year, I’ll stay with the bird calls I’ve got but definitely try and get-in some additional calling practice. Other than buying a couple boxes of shotgun shells and a few decoys, think I’ll be ready – Wish me luck!
Is Duck Calling a Lost Art?
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Is duck calling a lost art? – “No”, but practice does make perfect! Don’t wait until you are in the duck blind to start practicing your skills. Get the calls out now and start the repetitive drills at home; granted, it is like riding a bicycle but if you don’t do it, you’ll get rusty. And, no, you don’t want to do it while driving home from work. Pick a place where you can concentrate on what you’re doing.
You should have a good repertoire of calls, and the mark of a good caller is still flexibility. Acrylic sounds different than wood. Wood has a tendency to be a little softer and more mellow. As a minimum, you need a loud open-water style call and then one that’s a little softer for close-in work. It is not a science, but a learned skill; one that requires -Practice, Practice, Practice.
If you are selecting a call, the biggest quandary will be whether to choose a single or double reed duck call. The single reed is more traditional and seems to be the choice of those participating in duck calling contests; where-as, the double reed is a little more raspy and closer to the sounds of a hen mallard. However, either way, you have to blow duck calls correctly. Start those sounds now, and when you think you’re good – try’em out!
Hunting Anticipation!
Practice Makes Perfect!
It is that time of year again; you can even smell it in the air. It won’t be long until you hear those familiar calls and see the formations of duck and geese as they head back north.
This, combined with living in the land of 10,000 lakes, gives the avid hunter anticipation, and a spark of motivation that is not needed to prepare for the hunt: clean the gun and ammo; service the ATV; check the decoys; get a new pair of boots and Carhartt bib’s; practice the two new duck calls. Heck, I’ve had this done since the 1st of September. Even the dogs are ready – BRING IT ON!
Art of Deception!
Duck Calling at Its Best!
The best waterfowl hunter I ever knew told me, in a moment of vanity, that Duck calling was 90% art, half of which could be called science. The science part of duck calling is learned; but, the true artistic ability comes only with practice time, great devotion, and patience as-well-as a measure of simple natural talent.
As Ducks Unlimited indicates and further states/explains: there are eight basic calls that every duck hunter should have in their repertoire/tool box: 1. Basic Quack; 2. Greeting; 3. Feeding; 4. Hail; 5. Come Back; 6. Lonesome Hen; 7. Pleading; 8. Whistling.
Regardless of the device used to make your duck calls, take the time/energy needed and have the perseverance necessary to become proficient. If successful, your duck hunts will become less frustrating and more enjoyable. As they say, “your kit bag will over-floweth”!
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