To become a successful waterfowl hunter or goose hunter you have to master or at least become proficient in quite a few hunting skills. For example learning how to scout for geese, knowing how to set up a goose spread, when and how to flag geese, and how to blow a goose call. Learning How To Blow A Goose Call is one of the more challenging aspects for any novice or even experienced goose hunter. It takes time learning how to blow a goose call correctly. Therefore, to help with this we have compiled the top tips and our top videos to help you master the art of the goose call.
History Of Goose Calls –
Before we get into the details of blowing a goose call, we first have to take a look at the history behind the goose call. Now, who knows exactly the first person to create a goose call, considering the numerous inventors, craftsmen, and outdoorsmen. However, the first to be granted a panted for the goose call was David Fuller from Chicago, Ilinois, in 1885. The call was designed to not only fool geese but lure in the elusive crane to a shooting range as well. Fuller’s first calls were made from brass and nickel, with a mouthpiece made of boxwood. Some of these first calls were sold through mail-order catalogs across the nation. It’s hard to believe that goose calls have been around for 100+ years, but then again leave anything to a goose hunter and we’ll figure out a way of inventing something that makes hunting easier.
Learning How To Blow A Goose Call – What’s Needed?
Goose Call –
There are a few basic components for learning how to blow a goose call and the most important one is an obvious goose call. Now there are a few options for goose calls. As far as a budget goes, most goose calls fall into one of three categories. First is the beginner to the intermediate budget which usually starts around $20 and ends around $50 dollars. Next, you have the more intermediate calls which range between $50-$100 dollars. Finally, the high end more advanced calls fall above the $100 dollar price range.
When learning how to blow a goose call you can easily get started on a beginner call to start learning the basics. The limitation is the quality of the sound and the range of volume and tone that you’ll be able to achieve with an inexpensive call. Therefore, eventually, every goose hunter has to move from the entry level call to a high end. Our advice would be to skip the intermediate level goose calls and spend a fair amount of money on a really solid custom goose call. Most calls from these manufacturers are built and designed to sound like a real goose. As a result, you’ll be able to hit every note in the book once you understand the basics and spend time practicing.
Practice –
Goose calling isn’t going to happen overnight, may not even happen over a season. It takes practice to be able to master the notes and sounds of a goose. However, the best way to begin is to practice frequently. The offseason is a perfect time to keep your calls in your truck or in your garage. Find as much time as you can to start getting comfortable with holding the call, placing it on your lips, to hitting every cluck and moan. It takes time for muscle memory to occur, and that’s how you’ll start to become a goose caller.
Mouth Placement When Calling –
Placing your mouth on the call is an important step to have full control of the sound and volume of a goose call. Therefore, placing the call on the surface of your lips similar to when drinking out of a bottle. This will give you the range of motion in your mouth cavity to create the rush of air necessary to break over a goose call. Placement practice will also start creating the muscle memory needed so that you won’t have to think of how to bring the call to your lips. This is why the offseason is so important when practicing, by the time the season rolls around you won’t be thinking about this step anymore.
Hand Placement For Learning How To Blow A Goose Call –
If you watch instructions or read about some of the top contest callers they will talk about your on hand placement at the end of the goose call. Guys like Field Hudnall and Chad Belding talk about creating an air pocket with the hand that is holding the call. While using the opposite hand to direct the sound of the goose call. Many beginners think that the hands are necessary for making a honk or cluck.
However, really the hands are giving you the ability to make your call sound like two geese. Think of yelling at someone with your hands cupped around your mouth, this will produce a unique volume and sound. Compared to yelling at someone with your hands covering your mouth. Essentially with your hands, you’ll provide a more natural “goosie” sound and have the ability to sound like multiple geese when calling.
Beginner Calling –
How To Blow A Goose Call – Honk
Now a common misconception or even maybe a beginners error is to use your hands to create back pressure allowing the call to break over or “honk”. Instead, you should be able to learn how to blow a goose call without the need of your hands to make the call break over. Having the ability to properly make the sound of a honk without your hands is going to set you up for nearly every note after this one. Therefore, to ensure you are using the proper techniques to break over the call and making the sound of goose honk. We created a few simple steps along with Joey presenting a demonstration in the video below.
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STEP 1 –
- First, you need to put the call up to your lips and blow your goose call with cool air. Meaning you aren’t putting voice inflection into your call like you would with a duck call.
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STEP 2 –
- Next, start by blowing that air to make the “moan” which is done so by keeping the tip of your tongue to the back of your lower teeth. As the air passes over your tongue you’ll hear a high pitched moan. Once you master a solid moan. You can learn to break over the call.
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STEP 3 –
- In order to create the honk, you start by blowing a moan and then closing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. As a result, the meaty/middle part of your tongue will close off the air flow and cause the reed of the call to “honk.” Therefore, this third step is a little hard to get used to when learning the honk. However, if you listen to the video to what it sounds like in the back of a call. You’ll have a better idea of what Joey is doing with his air flow and tongue.
How To Blow A Goose Call | The Honk
About The Author –
Chris Gezella is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Growing up he was always out shooting trap and chasing upland birds, but his true passion resides in waterfowl hunting. As the owner of Alpha Dog Nutrition he has a passion for bird dogs, and as a hobby, he also helps operate The Upland Hunter, The Waterfowl Hunter & Guns Cleaner.
