So I have started to save for a "badace" duck call for next year. What are y'alls perspectives on wooden or acrylic. Brand too.. I would like to spend less that $100.

Nothin but wood here! Cajun brand from Lake Charles. Old school and not changing!!!

What is the pricing on those? What type do you prefer?

You have to catch them on E-bay when you can. I went to Lake Charles about 5 years ago right before the last owner of the company passed away and I bought a box full of different models that I like as well as reed replacement kits. Look for the D102 model on E-bay. Very good call and will last a lifetime if you take care of it!

Even though he is a fool and a phony...Jeff Foiles makes a great call called the straight suzy that I really enjoy.

RNT Shortbarrel in Cocabola or Acrylic. Acrylic will usually keep a consistant sound no matter the condition and is more durable, but more expensive.

Another call I really like is the Southern game Calls "nasty boy".

RNT Original in Acrylic is a good call also. Wood you need to take apart after you use them or they will swell together and you cant take them apart. Then you have to put them in the freezer to get them apart. Also candy or snuff is like super glue with wood calls.

My acrylic calls sound great but I get alot of "reed stick" on the acrylic sound board. My good wooden calls dont stick nearly as often. (is this just me or does everybody fight this?)

Also, the acrylic seems to hit higher volume without the squawks i sometimes get when trying to blow loud on a wooden call.

Just my opinion / experiences.
I like Foiles and Echo calls.

You probably just need a new cork and reed.

I usually change mine out after each season.

All the major manufacturers sell replacements.

Will try that, thanks.

Heard a guy once say he sprays the cork wedges with hair spray to keep them from getting water logged and acting like a sponge. Never tried it but might do that also. Probably could do the same using any spray on waterproofing. . . . just dont spray the call!

It's not an original thought for me. I had a RNT that I never changed the cork or reed on and it lost it's tune.

My friend changed the cork and reed and the call came back to life. It works, good luck.

This is slightly off topic, but all I change on mine is the cork. I've had the same reed in my hunting call for more than 6 years, but I change the corks two to three times a season.

Acrylic is more stable of a material, and all acrylic inserts that I the same shape will sound the same. Wood calls (even from the same block of wood) will sound different, even if machined exactly the same. Maybe not much different, but a little bit. In general, wood is more mellow and natural sounding, but again, that is in general.

I blow an acrylic insert in my wood barrel calls.

Bill

I prefer RNT or Echo but try to find somewhere that will let you try the calls first. I know I don't drop $100 on a call that I have no idea how it runs. Take some alcohol wipes with you unless they have spray there.