DCAN
Library
of
Duck Calling Sounds
- To hear examples of duck calling sounds click on the appropriate button and/or picture.

-These calls are examples of sounds that can be used in the field while calling ducks.

-While one can not over emphasis the importance of one's ability to "read the birds", it is hoped by presenting examples of some of the various and different sounds one can make on a versatile call, one will be better able to match one's calling with what it is the ducks are doing.

-All sounds are done by Jim James, 1996 World Duck Calling Champion & 1997 Winchester World Open Duck Calling Champion, using a Carlson Championship Duck Call.


The red hot shingle rattling, ringing Hail Call is used to attract the ducks' attention from long distances. It doesn't sound like a duck, nor is it intended to sound like a duck. It's an attention getter! Often referred to as a High Ball.



The basic Hen Greeting should be the staple of any duck caller's vocabulary. It's the main sound made by the hen mallard. It can be used to greet the ducks as well as to turn ducks as they swing and work your decoys.



Not all live hen mallards usually sound the same. Thus, the ability to create the illusion of Multiple Hens on the water can be used to convince the working ducks that your decoys are the real thing.



Good Quacks never scare ducks away.



Low End Work, consisting of chuckles, quacks, clucks and an occasional hen greeting will keep the working ducks' attention focused on your decoys and your calling. Good Low End Work will help keep the ducks in your sphere of calling influence, making it more difficult for others to “steal” them from you.



The Comeback Call is used to bring back ducks that have lost interest in your spread. It's designed to be exciting and demanding, but should never convey panic. This example is a classic "3 Topper" where 3 attempts are tried before the ducks turn. In reality, they may turn at any time. The Comeback is blown in the same shingle rattling ringing loud range as the Hail Call.



An example of Single Cut Chuckling. Used while working ducks in close. Usually easier to learn than the Double Cut Chuckle.



An example of Double Cut Chuckling. It can be used to reproduce the sound of hundreds of ducks feeding in a field. Used a lot in contest calling.







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The sound files on this page and on the Duck Callers Association of Nebraska's web site are the creation of, and the property of, Jim James. They can not be used, copied or otherwise reproduced without the expressed permission of Jim James.