Rotate Your Calling Cadence Based on Species and Mood
Blindly hammering a highball call is a rookie mistake. Advanced duck callers read the birds’ altitude, speed, and wing beats to decide not only when to call, but how and when not to call.
If mallards are swinging high and wide, try a lonesome hen call (soft, spaced-out quacks) rather than aggressive sequences.
For pressured birds, use a feed chuckle sparingly—it should sound relaxed, not frantic.
When hunting mixed species, vary the pitch and tempo to imitate wigeon whistles or teal peeps. A small shift in tone can make your spread seem more realistic.
Have one hunter run a secondary call (like pintail or drake whistle) behind the main caller. This layering effect can convince cautious flocks
