How to Call Ducks: 8 Duck Calls and When to Use Them

How do you call ducks? Start with a clean basic quack, greet ducks you see at a distance with 5 to 7 descending notes, use a faster comeback call when they turn away, and stop calling once they commit to your decoys. Watch how ducks react and call less, not more, when they are coming in.

Below: the eight calls every duck hunter should learn, what each one sounds like, when to use it, and the most common calling mistakes. Planning your season? See the best time to duck hunt and what to wear duck hunting.

The 8 duck calls every hunter should know

The Ducks Unlimited guide to eight essential duck calls lists the calls that prepare you for most waterfowling situations. Here is a quick reference:

Call	Sounds like	When to use it
Basic quack	A crisp "quaCK" with a clean ending	The foundation of every other call
Greeting call	5 to 7 descending notes at a steady rhythm	When you first see ducks at a distance
Feed call	"tikkitukkatikka," rising and falling	Sparingly, to add variety
Hail call	Long, loud, tapering "Aaaaaaink"	Far-off ducks only, never within 100 yards
Comeback call	Fast, urgent 5 to 7 notes	Ducks ignore your greeting or start to leave
Lonesome hen	Widely spaced, nasal, drawn-out quacks	Call-shy ducks, birds sitting on the water
Pleading call	5 to 6 dragged-out quacks, first note held	Ducks 75 to 200 yards up that will not commit
Whistle	Mallard, pintail or wigeon whistle	Pair with your mallard call, great for kids

How to call ducks step by step

1. Master the basic quack

Ducks Unlimited notes that some callers never master a basic quack. Todd Heidelbauer's advice is to end every quack: a clean, crisp "quaCK" instead of a mushy "qua qua qua." Get this right and the other calls build on it.

2. Greet ducks you see at a distance

Rod Haydel of Haydel's Game Calls uses the greeting call "when I first see ducks at a distance": a series of 5 to 7 notes in descending order at a steady, even rhythm.

3. Use the comeback when they slide away

If ducks do not respond or start to pass, switch to the comeback call. It is faster and more urgent, about 5 to 7 notes. Jim Olt's advice: "Don't over complicate it."

4. Plead with stubborn birds

For ducks circling 75 to 200 yards above you, champion caller Greg Brinkley uses the pleading call, a drawn-out begging sequence of 5 to 6 quacks with the first note held a little longer.

5. Stop calling when they commit

As Haydel puts it, "If the ducks are coming in, forget calling." Let the decoys finish the job.

When should you use the hail call?

The pros consider the hail, or highball, call overused. Jim Olt says not to use it within 100 yards of the ducks, and when you do, blow high, hard and loud, then taper off. Use it sparingly and only for birds that are far away.

What words do you say into a duck call?

Callers use syllables to shape the sound: "quack" or "kanc" for quacks and greeting notes, "tikkitukkatikka" for the feed call, and a long "aaaaink" for the hail. Say them into the call rather than just blowing air.

Common duck calling mistakes

• Calling too much: ducks that are already working your spread do not need more.
• Hailing close birds: save the loud hail for ducks well beyond 100 yards.
• Quacks that do not end: sloppy quacks sound unnatural.
• Lonesome hen quacks too close together: Olt warns that tight spacing scares ducks; leave several seconds between quacks.
• Not practicing: listen to live ducks and how they respond, then match them.

What to wear in the blind

A waterfowl camo hoodie or shirt that blends with reeds and cattails helps keep you hidden while you call. The shirts in this guide can be personalized with your name; choose the style you want on each product page. Browse more in our waterfowl hunting collection.

FAQ

How do you call a duck to come to you?

Greet ducks at a distance with 5 to 7 descending notes, use a comeback call if they turn away, and stop calling once they commit to your decoys.

What words do you say in a duck call?

"Quack" or "kanc" for basic quacks and greetings, "tikkitukkatikka" for the feed call, and a drawn-out "aaaaink" for the hail call.

How should a beginner learn to blow a duck call?

Start with a clean basic quack that ends crisply, then add the greeting and comeback calls. Listen to live ducks and practice before the season.

When should you not call ducks?

When ducks are already committed and coming in. Avoid the loud hail call within about 100 yards.