Team Calling: When Water Duck callers Work together as a Group, Drawing Power Increases

When two or more duck callers work together, their drawing power increases exponentially and it is known as team calling. Calling ducks as a team while hunting is increases the chances of drawing a “flock” of birds for easily targeting. Therefore, in today’s waterfowler’s world discussion, we will focus on group team calling.

When you coordinate your calling with a team, you can effectively lure distant or uninterested flocks closer. John Stephens, president of Rich-N-Tone Calls, and Josh Raggio, owner and creator of Raggio Custom Calls, believe that this team approach has contributed significantly to their hunting success.

Before we continue, bear in mind that the group needs to have different duck callers. Furthermore, choosing the right duck call depends on your preferences and needs. You can pick any of the Best Affordable Duck Calls to Buy Right Now at Amazon for hunting.

With all that information of hunting in mind, here is the guidance on how to build a successful water duck calling team.

What is a Group of Ducks Called?
What is a Group of Ducks Called?

Pick a Group Team Leader for the Duck Calling

Stephens often hunts alongside his brother and son, while Raggio shares his season with friends who are also skilled callers. Stephens points out that when you hunt frequently with the same people, you tend to know who will do what, but it’s essential to plan ahead. Just as you designate one person to take the shots, you should also choose one person to lead the calling.

It is recommended that you to have a lead caller who can devise a strategy,” Raggio emphasizes. “This way, everyone understands when to use specific calls based on what the birds seem to respond to on that particular day. The main goal is to mimic the sounds of many ducks. If everyone is making the same calls simultaneously, you won’t achieve that goal.

Hunt with Individual Strengths

As a group, to avoid overlapping calls and maintain a coordinated effort, it’s essential to focus on each hunter’s strengths. Stephens explains this by saying, “I’m particularly good at producing the chattering sounds that mallards make when they’re on the water. It is what I excel at. My brother, on the other hand, is skilled at using greeting and comeback calls to attract birds and make them turn. My son often throws in a variety of quacks throughout the hunt. We function as a team because each of us has a specific role and knows when to act.

“When you’re trying to manipulate the birds and need to grab their attention,” Stephens continues, “everyone may want to participate. However, you can influence ducks with various calls, whether it’s quacks, chatter, or a series of calls. It’s all about how you deliver them. If I intensify my chatter while my brother simultaneously hits the ducks with an assertive series, it’s incredibly effective. Most of the time, it’s not just about what you say but how you say it. This way, we end up sounding like a larger group of ducks without interfering with each other.”

Complement Each other, Don’t Argue or Compete

Since you are working together a a team, it is wise to cooperate with one another. It will help the team to succeed in catching ducks. To avoid competing with each other, a useful tactic is for each caller to mimic different duck sounds, even when using the same calls.

Raggio illustrates this by saying that when he joins a friend who’s trying to attract a distant flock with hail calls, he might jump in midway with a distinct tone or rhythm. “Our goal is to intentionally sound like different ducks, and this guides how we complement each other,” Raggio elaborates.

“If he’s using quick, assertive calls, essentially instructing the ducks to approach, I’ll introduce a more drawn-out, plaintive call, so our calls work together. If he’s performing the role of the dominant hen, commanding and with a rapid pace, then I’ll go slower. When the ducks draw near, we switch to feeding calls with lots of voice modulation and trade lonesome hen calls, as if two hens are responding to each other.”

Read and Understand the Movement of the Ducks

“Effective calling ultimately comes down to observing ducks and taking cues from your hunting companions,” Raggio adds. “If a friend is using a loud hail call, I understand that the ducks are far away, and I might join in at a similar volume. However, if I notice another caller starting with a soft feed call or a lonesome hen call, I interpret that the ducks are nearby, and I refrain from using my call. Being in sync with the other callers is essential for success.”

Stephens emphasizes the importance of this synchronization, especially when ducks are approaching closely. “When the birds start paying attention to your decoys, reduce your calling and pay close attention to what your fellow hunters are doing,” he advises. “You want the ducks to focus on the decoys, not on you. So, we typically call when the ducks are looking away. Someone once said that the goal is to make your calls sound like they’re coming from the decoys. That’s a solid strategy for luring ducks in for the final approach.”

Travis Mueller AND Avery Outdoors Practicing the Tactics for calling ducks
Team Calling – Travis Mueller AND Avery Outdoors Practicing the Tactics for calling ducks as a team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Team calling water ducks meaning?

Team calling water ducks is the collaborative hunting technique where multiple hunters use duck calls to mimic the sounds of waterfowl, particularly ducks, in an attempt to attract them within shooting range. When hunters work together to produce a convincing and varied array of duck calls, they increase their chances of luring ducks towards their decoy spread or blinds, creating a more effective and successful hunting experience.

What is a group of ducks called on the ground?

A group of ducks on the ground is commonly referred to as a “flock” or simply a “group” of ducks. For example, you could say; “The flock of ducks waddled along the edge of the pond, searching for food”.

What is a group of geese called?

A group of geese is typically called a “gaggle” when they are on the ground or in the water. However, when geese are in flight, they are often referred to as a “skein” or “wedge.”

What is a group of ducks called on the ground

A group of ducks on the ground is often called a “flock.” Therefore, a “flock” of ducks refers to a gathering of ducks when they are on land or the ground.

What is a group of mallard ducks called?

A group of mallard ducks is typically called a “sord” or “flight.” The specific term used may vary depending on the context or region, but both convey the idea of a group of these mallard ducks coming together.

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