Wild duck baits are sonic baits that help a hunter catch the attention of waterfowl. They are an instrument made of reeds and plastic, which helps to imitate the sounds of a duck, thus attracting the attention of the bird and heading to the location of the hunter. The wild duck whistles are so tuned that they allow the hunter to adjust the volume and type of call he wants to play. They are a must-have hunting accessory for anyone who wants to successfully hunt wild ducks.
History
Before making wild duck whistles into mass production, hunters used ordinary whistles or artificial baits that resemble the animal itself. It is about 1678, though the duck call simulation is thought to have been used long before in the Far East. Even then, people lured the watercraft, using their own sounds, then lured them even closer with food and trapped them.
Non-patented duck whistles have been manufactured since 1850. The first patent was granted to Elam Fisher in 1870. A little earlier, in 1863, manufacturer Fred Allen created whistles that reproduced duck sounds but had no patent. Alan's whistles were straight canes with cylindrical curves. At first, they were made of metal, but hunters felt them too cold on their lips, so the design of the model changed, incorporating wood instead of metal. The patented Fisher's whistles were two parts of curved wood that were face-to-face and a metal cane was attached in the middle, secured by a support device (usually a strap), which covered and secured all the parts. These lure whistles had too little sound variation, and it was often the case of the hunter cutting his tongue or mouth. Therefore, it is not Fisher but Alan who is the first to win a good name on the market with his wild duck whistle. In 1880, they were already known and widely sought after.
David Fuller was the first manufacturer to receive a patent for his goose whistle in 1885. In 1903 he produced a new kind of sound bait - whistles, combining goose and duck sounds. These whistles had a special screw that retracted from the inside of the cylinder, altering the sounds played.
During the years 1900-1910, many modifications were made to improve the whistle for wild ducks, for example, the shape of the mouthpiece, where the sound is produced, is rightly modified in a rounded manner; the wedges are replaced by grooves and cork lock systems. After that, ducks’ whistles were made of materials other than wood like - rubber and acrylic - have started production.
Philip Sanford Olt of Perkin, Illinois is one of the most famous duck whistle manufacturers in the early part of the last century. He founded his company in 1904, beginning with the production of a whistle called the Arkansas Style duck call. It features a straight reed and a curved mouthpiece - the design resembles modern duck whistle models. Olt received a patent for the first wild duck whistle to be tuned in 1905. It is made of solid ebonite and allows hunters to change the volume and its specificity.
In the 1920s and 1930s, several more models of wild duck whistles began to be produced, using different techniques to reproduce specific sounds to attract wildfowl. By the mid-1920s, a man by the name of Charles Dito began making a new model of duck whistle called the Eureka Model. They are in two parts and contain hard rubber inserts and reeds. In the next decade to the 1950s, manufacturers Clarence and Dudley Folk (father and son) made the first plastic whistles for wild ducks but also produced several models of wooden whistles. In 1935, the demand for wild duck whistles in the United States increased tremendously, making sound bait production a successful business.
By the 1950s, more manufacturers of wild duck calls were emerging, offering models in a variety of colours and patterns. This contributes not so much to the development of the technology used in the production of sound baits, but to the aesthetic appearance of duck whistles. However, technological innovation comes in 1950, George Jentzen and his partner Cowboy Fernandez designed the first double and triple cane whistles to dominate the duck, whose production dominated the market for the next 20 years.
In 1972, Phil Robertson created the now-famous Duck Commander Call Duck Whistle and a year later founded Duck Commander Company. His product, as well as the company name, became even more famous thanks to his son, Willie Robertson, who made it from a family business into a multimillion-dollar empire.
What distinguishes the design of Robertson's duck call whistles from previous models? Their sound lure consists of two parts: a base for air intake at one end and a whistle at the other. The two parts are placed in a resonant tube, which contributes to a more complete sound production. Some of the models the company produces incorporate a number of detachable particles into the whistle, which, when producing the sound, mimic a female wild duck. The call manufactured by Robertson are believed to withstand any weather conditions - something that has not been available on the market so far.
Specificity of whistles for wild ducks - construction and materials
The design of any wild duck lure whistle is no different than that of any ordinary whistle designed to mimic the sounds that waterfowl make. The first wild duck whistles were the most ordinary wooden instrument in cylindrical form, at the beginning there was an opening from which the sound came out. Many hunters have previously used their own voice to mimic the sounds that ducks make, but thanks to sonic baits that are gradually evolving to include many new sounds and the ability to increase/decrease the tone, this is no longer a need.
The two most common high-quality materials used to make duck whistles today are wood and acrylic. There are acrylic whistles, wood whistles and whistles made from both materials.
The first significant difference between wood and acrylic whistles imitating duck sounds is that the sounds from acrylic whistles are much stronger and extend further than those of wood whistles. This must be taken into account according to the specificity of the hunting, ie. the hunter must consider what kind of whistle he will use relative to the distance the duck is. Acrylic whistles are preferred when hunting in large, open spaces because through them the sound is able to reach further and entice wild ducks. And the wooden ones are suitable for hunting in a swampy area without strong wind and storm.
A second key difference between acrylic and wood whistles is that acrylic, although stronger, produce much less sonic variation. However, the third difference is that the wood shrinks and expands according to the moisture level and temperatures at which it is exposed, and the acrylic is not affected by the weather. As wood whistles shrink and expand (something that happens not immediately, but still needs to be taken into account), the sound they produce also changes.
There are long-distance and short-range lures. This is determined by the volume that the whistle is capable of delivering. Accordingly, a pitch change is required for a longer distance, producing sounds with a higher pitch, and for a closer lure, a lower pitch, as a loud sound can scare away the waterfowl. Meteorological conditions must also be taken into account - in the presence of strong wind is required a whistle that can make higher sounds so that ducks can hear them and the catch to be successful.
Types of calls
Every wild duck hunter is aware that there are different types of calls, each tailored to the situation during the hunt. The whistle can’t do all the work. The hunter must, on the one hand, be familiar with the types of sounds and, on the other, know how to reproduce them with the whistle.
Here are some of the most commonly used sounds for calling wild ducks:
1. The Basic Quack - This is the first, most ordinary duck sound that every hunter must master. The main sound is short and sharp, it is the most commonly used for hunting waterfowl and it catches their attention. When the duck flies past the hunter, looking for a place to land, this signal will entice her to point in the direction of the hunter. However, when the bird goes to the hunter, it is wrong for the bird to continue to reproduce the same sound - to change to another.
2. The Greeting Call - Most hunters use this signal when they notice ducks and have already caught their attention. It is a series of 5-7 tones, played in descending order with an even rhythm.
3. The Hail Call - one of the two loudest and longest sounds that are commonly used to attract a bird's attention when it is far away. The volume may scare off the ducks if the distance between them and the hunter is short, so care must be taken when using this signal. But when played, the whistle must be blown until a high, strong and loud sound is reached. However, if the hunter is not sure when to use this signal, it is advisable not to reproduce it.
4. The Comeback Call - the second strongest and longest signal, which is also recommended for use only by professionals and experienced hunters. Reproduction at the wrong moment can scare the birds and chase them away. This signal is used when ducks do not respond to greetings. The sound is fast and hard, 5-7 tones are played and should not be complicated.
5. The Feed Call - A series of fast and short sounds. The volume is raised and lowered smoothly. This imitation is used with a variety of other sounds and to create a more plausible lure.
6. The Lonesome Hen - This is often an overlooked signal by hunters, but it can be especially effective if the duck is scared and unresponsive. This signal can be described as a widespread, irregular but prolonged nasal "croaking". Some hunters use it to attract the attention of ducks in the water, but farther from them. The Lone Duck sound should be evenly distributed, low, even throaty, fast, and repeated over a few seconds.
7. The Pleading Call - The call is used to attract the attention of ducks flying over a hunter. This invitation is a series of 5-6 beeps that sound like the hunter is really praying for the duck to come down to it. The first "pleading" ringtone is usually played a little longer than the next ones in the series. Many hunters retain the Calling Sound for instances where ducks refuse to approach after hearing the main sound or the greeting.
Wild Duck Hunting - Tips for Beginners
If you are a beginner in duck hunting, the best decision is to take this activity several times in the company of an experienced hunter. Keep track of his actions, learn from his experience and be alert, because hunting ducks is not an easy endeavour. Here are some basic tips for beginner hunters:
1. Recognition. Go to the place where you plan to hunt, find a suitable place to watch and keep track of where the waterfowl gather - this will be your place of hunting. Once you've identified the area where you will lure the ducks, look for the closest place near them to hide.
2. Hiding. Try to get to the predetermined place from which you will be watching the waterfowl, at least one hour before sunrise, so that you will not be noticed. Cover up as best you can - this is crucial for successful hunting. You can hide behind a bush or create an imitation of it yourself - for example, with reeds and willow twigs. Do not bring with you white objects (box, bucket or chair) that can be easily spotted.
3. Bait. It's important to know the following - ducks will fly against the wind. If you carry an artificial lure with you, consider where to place it to produce the desired effect.
4. Call with a whistle. If you are a beginner duck hunter, practice playing at home as many times as necessary until a properly reproduced signal is received. Familiarize yourself with the different types of sounds we described above and learn how to judge each situation. If you are playing ducks and they are pointing straight up instead of at you, then you have scared them and need more preparation. Start with the basic signals, and only when you have learned to play them properly - pay attention to others. Don't underestimate the sound lure - this is the most important step to successfully catching wild ducks.
5. Shooting. Before you start hunting, make sure you have a good understanding of the specifics of your weapon. Practice in advance and explore all its features.
6. Rules. Remember to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations for your area before undertaking the planned wild duck hunt.
