Duck Calls
Short version: buy a double reed duck call if you are learning and a single reed if you want range and control. This shelf is mostly Power Calls, from the Jolt, Impact and Volt up to the Impulse CTi and Beau Brooks Signature, with Haydel's mallard calls at the entry end. A teal call, wood duck call and 6-in-1 whistle cover the other birds.
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waterfowl calls · goose calls · duck decoys · mallard decoys · motion decoys · call lanyards · duck blinds · duck hunting waders
Single Reed vs. Double Reed Duck Calls
The reed decides how a duck call feels in your hands. One thin reed (a single reed) responds to small changes in air pressure, so a practiced caller can go from a soft feed chuckle to a loud hail and sharpen the tone as needed. That same sensitivity punishes sloppy air with squeaks. Two stacked reeds (a double reed) need a bit more air and are harder to over-blow, which is why most beginners start there. The sound has more rasp, which many hunters like in timber and on calm days.
| Reed setup | On this shelf | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Double reed | Jolt2, Impact2, Volt2, Impulse2 CTi, Torque2 CTi | New callers, timber, close work |
| Single reed | Jolt, Impact, Charge, Megawatt, Impulse, Impulse CTi | Open water, wind, experienced callers |
| Cutdown, hybrid, competition | Ignition Cutdown, Beau Brooks Signature Hybrid, High Voltage Competition | Callers who want more volume and range |
Whistles, Teal and Wood Duck Calls
Mallard calls do not cover every duck. The Power Calls Static 6-in-1 Duck Whistle is for ducks that whistle instead of quack (pintail and wigeon are the usual suspects; the listing names the species it covers), and it costs little enough to ride on the lanyard all season. The Teal Call and Wood Duck Call are for early season and small water. Put any of these on one of our call lanyards next to your main call.
How to Pick One Without Hearing It First
Start with the reed type, then budget. Power Calls makes several models in both single and double reed versions, so a hunter who starts on the Jolt2 or Impact2 can move to the Jolt or Impact later and keep a familiar feel. The CTi and African Blackwood builds are for hunters who already know what they want to hear.
Practice before the season, in the truck if your family insists. And remember the call is only part of the setup: a good duck decoy spread with a little motion from spinning wing decoys does a lot of the convincing. Bring the right waterfowl choke tubes for the shots you get once birds commit.
Keeping a Duck Call Tuned
Reeds collect grit, tobacco and breakfast. A call that honked fine in October can stick by December, and a good cleaning usually brings it back. Pull the insert only if you know how to put the reed back where it was, and keep the Power Calls Call Tuning Kit from our call accessories page in the truck for adjustments.
Store calls in a blind bag pocket instead of the dash, where heat can warp a reed. If your fingers are too cold to work the call, a muff from our hand warmers page helps more than a new insert ever will.
Duck Calls FAQs
What is the best duck call for a beginner?
A double reed mallard call. The Power Calls Jolt2, Impact2 and Volt2 are the starting points on this shelf.
Do I need a different call for teal or wood ducks?
Not always, but it helps on early-season and small-water hunts. The Power Calls Teal Call and Wood Duck Call are made for those birds, and the 6-in-1 whistle is there for the whistling ducks.
How do I keep a duck call working in the cold?
Keep it inside your coat between sequences so moisture does not freeze on the reed. If a reed sticks, tap the call against your palm and blow gently. A tuning kit helps with reed adjustments.