Your Guide To Selecting The Right Goose Call for Alaska Hunting

The satisfaction of watching a group of Canada geese confidently landing just 10 feet in front of a hunter is undeniable, especially when expertly executed calling convinces them to commit.

Most air-driven goose calls, regardless of design, consist of five basic components: barrel (or mouthpiece), insert, reed, tone board, and wedge. The barrel is the end of the call that is placed against the user’s mouth, while the insert is located at the opposite end, where the hand is typically placed. The insert houses the reed, tone board, and wedge, often referred to as the call’s “guts.” Reeds are factory-cut to match the sound properties of the specific calls they are designed for. Some call makers shave reeds to a thinner diameter to require less airflow.

Three types of goose calls dominate the market today: resonant-cavity, flute, and short-reed. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, yet all can effectively call geese.

Flute Calls: A Reliable Option for Goose Hunting

Flute-style calls offer a wide range of pitch and user-friendly characteristics. The long barrel and insert design create built-in backpressure, allowing hunters to produce goose-fooling sounds with practice.

With sufficient practice, a flute caller can generate a diverse range of goose calls with accurate pitch and volume. However, the flute’s design may complicate control during fast-paced calling scenarios. To address this limitation, call makers have developed designs that prioritize user control and a complete range of goose sounds—namely, the short-reed call.

Top Flute Goose Calls

Sean Mann Eastern Shoreman Express Goose Call – TrueTimber DRT

Trusted by numerous champion goose callers and hunters, the Sean Mann Eastern Shoreman Express Goose Call sets a standard for realism and effectiveness in the field. This call enables hunters to produce a full range of Canada goose sounds with minimal effort.

Big River Game Calls Long Honker Goose Flute

For your next waterfowl hunt, the Big River Game Calls Long Honker Goose Flute is an excellent choice. Known for its ease of use, this call features a long tone channel that enriches sound quality as it travels through.

Short-Reed Calls: Precision and Control

Short-reed goose calls gained immense popularity in the 1990s and continue to thrive today. While thousands of short-reed calls are available, they all share the same basic components: barrel, insert, tone board, wedge, and a “short” reed. The differences lie in their internal and external dimensions.

The placement of the reed inside the call significantly affects sound production. Generally, a reed positioned farther from the mouthpiece allows for greater control over the call. However, this setup typically produces mellower and deeper sounds.

Moreover, the overall length of the short-reed call impacts sound quality and production. Increasing the length beyond the reed enhances built-in backpressure, which aids beginners in mastering basic goose sounds and assists experienced callers in one-handed operation, crucial during hunting.

Short Reeds: Easy Blowing vs. Easy to Learn

“Easy blowing” refers to the minimal airflow required to operate short-reed goose calls and is often misunderstood. An “easy blowing” call is not necessarily easy to learn. In fact, calls that require less air pressure can be the most challenging to master.

Beginning callers often force excessive air into a call, mistakenly believing that increased volume will enhance performance. This approach is not effective for short-reed calls; proper sound production relies on air pressure rather than volume.

Similar to how a thumb regulates water flow through a garden hose, air must be manipulated by tongue placement before entering the call. The tip of the tongue is rarely involved in basic short-reed calling; instead, air pressure is controlled by the back, or “arch,” of the tongue pushing the air stream against the roof of the mouth.

Practice: The Key to Mastery

Practice is essential for mastering any musical instrument, and goose calls are no exception. Making practice enjoyable will yield rewards in the long run. Few experiences in waterfowl hunting rival the thrill of working a flock of Canada geese into decoys—”Take `Em!”