What causes a duck call to stick?

A well-known issue with many single-reed calls is their tendency to stick or “blow down,” when too much air pressure is applied to the reed. In many single-reed calls, when you blow too hard, the air pressure lifts the reed right off the tone board.

How do you clean a duck call?

Cleaning can be as simple as running tap water through your call. Or, if you have a plastic or acrylic call, soak it in a bowl containing a combination of mild soap and water. Rinse well, and let the call dry. To finish, work a piece of dental floss between and under the reeds.

What makes a duck call good?

Most duck calls sold today are made of acrylic, wood, or polycarbonate. Wooden calls are usually softer and mellower than acrylic calls, and they are a good choice for close-up calling situations. Polycarbonate (molded plastic) calls fall between acrylic and wood for sharpness and loudness.

How long do duck calls last?

Most duck calls will hold their tune well for at least two or three years, but after several seasons, they may require retuning. Reeds and other internal parts may need to be replaced.

How do you make duck calls more raspy?

“Sanding adds texture to the tone board’s surface, and this makes the call raspy,” McPhearson continues. “You don’t want to get too aggressive with the sanding. Use 220-grade paper or finer, and sand the tone board lightly. You don’t want to remove any material, just rough it up a little.”

Can you turn a double reed into a single reed?

There should not be any huge difference to remove the double reeds for a conversion to a single reed. You may however need to have a slightly thicker cork. The call will likely blow hard due to a larger bored toneboard hole. But, if you like a hard grunter call, it will be loud.

How often should you clean your duck call?

For habitual hunters, you may need to clean your call a few times during hunting season. Normally, you should clean your duck call twice a year during the off-season, typically before the start of hunting season and at the end, to keep it well-maintained.