I know this is a broad poll and there are many things to consider when thinking about this...like price, single reed vs double reed and so on...and that one company may have a better mallard call than others but not a good teal call. Taking everything into account like durability, price, how easy it is to use, and most importantly the almighty QUACK it makes...who is your #1 duck call maker overall??

Favorite Duck Call Makers single choice
	Duck Commander
	Buck Gardner
	Rich-n-Tone
	Other
Votes accepted starting: 07/12/10 12:15 AM
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dont be afraid to elaborate on why...or if you choose other lets hear who...

You missed a TON of manufacturers.

But my favorite are:
RNT
Southern Game Call
Echo

My first "nice" call was a RNT Shortbarrel that I learned on. I have become so used to using that call for over 6 years I can produce any sound on it with ease.

Southern Game Calls Nasty Boys is one ducky, "bouncy" call that is just plain nasty. Easy to do sqweel sounds and bouncing hens.

Then Echo diamondwood converted to single reed is a nice call for $50.

Heres a few manufacturers:
RNT
Southern Game Call
Echo
Foiles
Zink
Buck Gardner
Allan Stanley
Cadence
Gaston
Haydels
J.J Lares
Watkins

And

I know there are many more manufacturers than what I listed, i just didnt want to put a bunch in the poll in hopes that people would comment

I had question about your echo...what do you mean converted? I have been wanting to buy a single reed but if I can convert my echo that would be great. I have the Echo wood timber series:

All I did with mine was buy a couple of new "corks". Then just take out the reed on top, and only use the new "corks" since the rubber one that comes with the call isnt thick enough to keep the single reed wedged in place. Then just cut the single reed to fit you and your set.

If your apprehensive about doing this yourself I am sure for $10 you could mail it to Echo and they can convert it and tune it for you. Just give them a call...

If you have never messes with changing corks, reeds, and tuning you do run the risk of damaging the call; just so you know. The reed slot tab can break off if you dont take precautions.

Philip Sanford Olt

http://www.zshare.net/audio/72190679c9ca2f66/

@topH20- nice call man i've never seen one of those...did you order it online?

RNT

P.S. Olt company was founded in 1904 in Pekin, IL.They made their last call in 2002. They probably still have more game calls on the market than any maker. They have to have the keyhole tonal plug insert as shown earlier. You can find these calls on eBay and in estate sales but you have to know what you are doing. Most of them have to be modified either by sanding the tone board or by changing out the old black reed that came in them for a newer white reed.

Two companies make faithful renditions of the old Olt. They are Black Op's calls and DJ calls.

http://bayoumetoboatracingassociation.com/blackopsduckcalls.html

http://www.djcalls.com/jzcart/showitem.php?id=4339

This guy buys old Olts and cuts them down:

http://s1.webstarts.com/KirkMcCullough/index.html

I started with these calls and went back to them. They have that unique, gruff, dominant hen mallard sound. No call chatters like they do.

I will add I am very fond of the Echo Cocobola Timber and RNT Old Style and RNT Original duck calls.

I could talk to you for two days about the old Olt call and just scratch the surface. They have their following. They are hard to blow----you will think you are going to puke your guts out or pass out until you get the hang of it. You cannot cheat on the air pressure. They are LOUD. You wail on them to get a ducks attention and then quit calling as they come in. If need be you hit them with a quack or some chatter to get them back on course.

Zink for me. Calls are really easy to blow and sound great.

See below!! Those Arkansas boys know how to make a call.

I like Rich-n-Tone duck calls too. They have their own sound. If you index the tone board to your lips so that the reed is upside down, they will not load up on spit and lock up on you.

To me that cocobola Old Style is one of these best sounding meat calls made but i have issues with wood calls changing sounds when it gets real cold. They all change but not like wood calls do for me even when I keep them inside my shirt.

They have some of best service in American business today. Mr. Butch. Jim Ronquest, John Stephens, Preston.....they are all good people and the Ladies up front always have a smile on their face when you walk in no matter how busy they are.

If there was no such thing as an Olt, I would run Rich-n-Tone calls.

Daisy Cutter!!

For me

Echo: When it comes to sounding like a duck, I don't think it gets better than an Echo. Great folks, great service, and the calls produce the sound I want, period.

PS Olts, and the new DFB from Black Ops are the classic no BS hunting call. Nothing has a more proven track record in the woods.

We can convert/tune yours, Just need to get a replacement cork/reed kit from echo.

RNT!!

Foiles all the way....maybe it is because I met him at a bar in Illinois one night while I was on a deer hunt. Nice guy.

I have a white daisy cutter for sale-75.00

Kelly

RNT all the way.

I use a RNT original acrylic week in and week out - it is a great call.

When my wife's great-grandfather passed away last year they were going through his house and they found a PS Olt call still in the box - she called me and hesitantly asked if I wanted this "old plastic call" (which was still in the original box)- I about screamed through the phone "YES!!!!" When I told her relatives how special that call was I half expected for them to want it back, but they told me to take it out of the box and put it on my lanyard because that is what Granddad would have wanted!!! The only problem with the Olt call is that it's volume is way too quiet (definitely one of their original timber calls)- it is like owning a part of duck hunting history!

Killem: If you are interested, send us a picture of the with the insert pulled out. For less than ten dollars in parts, we might be able to put some mojo into that bad boy if I know what you have. You can do this without having to modify the tone board. You can do it yourself.