Goose Calls
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Best Goose Calls
We found the most affordable yet high-quality and realistic goose calls – find out the best goose call for you! Many hunters tend to neglect the power of a good goose call. But we don’t, and you shouldn’t either! So… Here’s a list of the best goose calls on the market. They can honk, moan, and cluck your way into the flock. This article will teach you everything there is to know about the said goose call and how we found them to be the best. Also:- The pros and cons of using each of them;
- What goose sounds they can make and how realistic they are;
- What’s most durable and easy to use;
- Which ones are affordable or expensive;
- Tips about choosing the best goose call to add to your gear; and
- Lots more!
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Geese make distinct sounds that are hard to copy. But with the help of goose calls, it’s so much easier for hunters to attract geese nowadays.
Goose calls are these wind instruments made of either wood, plastic, or acrylic. They’re made to mimic the sounds of different geese to get their attention.
But…
Not all goose calls sound the same. We tried all of those that we could find – they differ in price, quality, sound, etc. And some of them impressed us more than the others.
So we decided to compare and contrast each goose call in terms of durability, ease of use, grip, and value for money.
And this is what we found out!
Scroll through this article to know which ones may work best for you.
We also added other details and tips to help you decide on your next buy!
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1 - Best Easy-to-Blow Goose Call- Editor’s Choice Award
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
- Manufacturer: Primos
- Range: Short reed
- Material: Synthetic
- Shape: Missile-shaped
- Size: 5 x 2 x 10 inches
Bottom Line: With an easy blow, this Primos goose call gets the geese running to you.
Pros
- Easy to blow
- Easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble
- Loud and clear
- Realistic sound
- Relatively affordable
- Durable build
Cons
- You need to break it in first before it works properly
- Hard to tune back after reassembly
SUMMARY:
Primos is a popular brand in this industry. And it’s for a good reason too! Our Editor’s Choice is from Primos and it’s a very reliable product.
Why is that?
This short reed goose call has patented ditches to belt out natural-sounding goose calls. And the sounds are loud and clear! If we could hear it from far off, surely the geese would too.
And it doesn’t require too much air pressure, so it’s one of the easiest blow calls we’ve seen.
But you might not like it at first. You need to break it in with a few blows before it tunes and the realistic sounds come out. Once it’s done, you can keep enjoying Primos!
Besides that…
Its patented reed system allows for easy disassembly. You can take it apart when you want to clean it and quickly put it back together.
Just be sure to have an expert caller near you because some of us found Primos a little hard to re-tune. But we didn’t have other problems with it.
In fact…
We were impressed by the durability of this goose call.
You won’t be able to count how many times we dropped Primos while running around the field. One of us even stepped on it, so we were doubtful whether we should still let it near our mouths.
But it’s still as good as new and it was nothing that a little cleaning couldn’t fix.
And on top of that…
Primos costs less than half of other more popular brands. So this affordable beauty has been sitting right under our noses this whole time!
2 - Best Low Budget Goose Call - Best Value Award
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
- Manufacturer: Primos
- Range: Flute
- Material: Synthetic
- Shape: Flute-shaped
- Size: 5 x 1.75 x 13 inches
Bottom Line: Begin your hunting journey with an affordable yet high-quality goose call from Primos.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Durable build
- High-quality material
- Great for beginners
- Easy to blow
- Easy to assemble and reassemble
- Easy tuning
Cons
- It might be too thin to grip securely
- Not as realistic as other goose calls
SUMMARY:
Our Best Value product is another one from Primos. This brand surely knows how to combine affordability and quality!
Just an FYI…
Flute calls aren’t as beginner friendly as other types of goose calls. They’re harder to operate and their sounds take more expertise to control.
But Primos gives us a flute call that even beginners can practice with. It’s easy to get a sound out of it and it wouldn’t take an expert to tune it.
It may not sound as realistic as other Primos goose calls, but it would do if you’re just starting with this hobby. And it doesn’t sound too far off, anyway.
Besides…
It doesn’t look cheap at all. Just by looking at it, you can see that it’s not going to break easily.
And that quality goes beyond looks!
This goose call has met more accidents than the others. That’s mainly because it’s a bit too thin to grip securely – most of us have hands that are too big for such a small tool. But Primos comes back with barely a scratch.
You’ll see that this cheap product is going to stay with you for a good while!
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3 - Best User-Friendly Goose Call- Top Pick Award
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
- Manufacturer: Duck Commander
- Range: Short reed
- Material: High-impact plastic
- Shape: Missile-shaped
- Size: 6.89 x 4.76 x 1.46 inches
Bottom Line: Your duck calls will come out naturally with one of the easiest blowing goose calls from Duck Commander.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to blow
- Good for beginners
- Loud and clear
- Realistic sound once broken in
- It can mimic multiple goose sounds
- Secure and comfortable grip
Cons
- Hard to break in
- Less durable build
SUMMARY:
If you’ve been in this business for a long time, you probably already know that geese answer to more than just one sound. And there’s a different effective sound for every type of goose.
With our Top Pick Duck Commander, that’s not a problem at all!
How’s that?
This short reed goose call is designed to make deep and raspy versatile tunes. You can shift from a Canada goose’s call to another bird with a few easy techniques.
In other words, Duck Commander can make multiple geese sounds. And you’ll find that Duck Commander requires minimum air pressure to produce an irresistible natural sound.
So you don’t have to be an expert to do that. Just a few practices, and you’ll get the hang of it.
Only…
We found it hard to break this goose call in. It took us a while to finally get its interiors to work and get it in tune. But once done, there weren’t any problems.
Except for its slightly flimsy build – the case seems a bit too thin to absorb impact.
But then again…
It’s shaped with a finger groove that would allow you to grip it securely as you use it. So, in the field, none of us accidentally dropped this one.
Even those with big hands found it comfortable to hold the Duck Commander goose call.
Not to mention…
You can have this high-quality goose call from Duck Commander for a relatively affordable price!
Related: Best Bunker Food: Definitive Guide
4 - Best Quality Goose Call
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
- Manufacturer: Sean Mann Outdoors
- Range: Resonate chamber
- Material: ABS plastic
- Shape: Missile-shaped
- Size: 10.5 x 1.38 x 1.38 inches
Bottom Line: This Sean Mann Outdoors goose call can withstand the toughest goose hunting situations.
Pros
- Durable build
- Loud and clear sound
- Realistic sound
- Easy to blow and break in
Cons
- Very expensive
- More suitable for experienced goose hunters
SUMMARY:
So that it’s out of the way – Sean Mann Outdoors is an expensive goose call brand.
That’s why we weren’t surprised that the Shoreman XP-1 would cost three to four times the other goose calls on this list.
But don’t let that discourage you!
The Shoreman’s expensive price is evident in the durability of its build. It’s made of ABS plastic that resists impact whether you drop it on cement or soil.
It happened with us and there wasn’t even a scratch! It also didn’t hurt that Shoreman looks so stylish!
But that’s not all…
Shoreman’s sound quality is almost as loud and clear as acrylic calls despite being made of plastic. It produces the most realistic sounds that would beckon Canada geese and other types from a great distance.
This is especially advantageous when hunting late-season geese – that’s what the resonate chamber goose calls are known for.
And it won’t take long to break Shoreman in. After a few tries, we were able to find the best tuning and use it effectively in the field.
Just one thing…
It’s not the most beginner-friendly goose call we’ve seen. You may have to learn a few techniques to alter and tune this one.
But overall, you won’t regret a single penny spent on Shoreman XP-1!
5 - Best Longest Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
- Manufacturer: Dream Corp. - Dropship
- Range: Flute
- Material: Heavy plastic
- Shape: Flute-shaped
- Size: 13.5 x 2 x 2 inches
Bottom Line: If you’re used to long goose calls, Flambeau Outdoors is your best bet.
Pros
- Easy to blow
- Realistic sound
- Hand-tuned
- There’s no need to break it in
- It can mimic different goose sounds
Cons
- Might be too long for many hunters
- Relatively expensive
SUMMARY:
If you’re planning on calling multiple geese, you should consider buying Big River from Flambeau Outdoors.
Some of us complained that it’s too long and might be inconvenient for some. But still, others didn’t mind. And you wouldn’t too!
Because…
Big River is hand-tuned to mimic that rich waterfowl heritage unique to this product. It is long because the manufacturers tried to be as close to a goose neck anatomy as possible.
The other goose calls we found are limited to Canada goose sounds and other more common games. But how about those who love waterfowl hunting?
If you’re one of us, this might be your goose call.
Plus…
It might not be the poster call for durability, but it’s one of the most realistic-sounding goose calls we’ve found.
And there’s no need to break it in! Straight from the box, it sounded like an expert caller’s tool.
So…
If your budget’s not that tight, you can opt for Flambeau Outdoors Big River.
Once you’ve experienced this call’s quality for yourself, you won’t mind the few extra bucks you spent.
Not to mention…
Its mossy oak camo finish makes it look cool. It will also add to your stealthy vibe when you go out hunting!
6 - Best Perfect Grip Goose Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
- Manufacturer: Legend Calls
- Range: Short reed
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Shape: Missile-shaped
- Size: 8.07 x 3.86 x 1.57 inches
Bottom Line: You can hunt in comfort with Legend Calls goose call even in the most rugged hunting fields.
Pros
- Durable build
- Secure and comfortable grip
- Easy to blow
- Easy tuning
- Well-insulated
- Rugged design
Cons
- Hard to reassemble
- Not so realistic sound
- Relatively expensive
SUMMARY:
When going through rough terrains, it’s easy to neglect the tiny things on your gear. One of those tiny things is your goose call.
You might drop it and damage it while focusing on your safety and protection.
Legend Calls considered this problem.
Now…
They have Legend Calls LXC – the goose call made for extreme and rugged hunting conditions!
It has an extreme grip exterior that allows for a comfortable and secure grip. LXC won’t slip out of your hands while you call for geese because it will sit snugly inside your palm or fingers.
The manufacturers completed the extreme grip exterior with insulated bands. This feature will keep you comfortable under any weather. And at the same time, it keeps the sound quality consistent.
Also…
Legend Calls LXC has a very durable extreme range build.
Although, you may have to tighten things up after taking them out of the box. The one that we got came loose and we needed to adjust the bands first.
The same thing happened after cleaning it. We had to disassemble it and it was hard to put it back together.
Luckily…
It didn’t affect the sound.
And speaking of sound – this short reed goose call can produce convincing Canada goose sounds. But it’s not as realistic as the others that we tried.
Still…
This would be a great goose call for beginners because it’s easy to operate. Legend Calls have its durable extreme range equipped with patented LEGEND quick tune guts.
It’s designed for easy tuning and requires minimum air to make a loud and clear sound.
So, overall…
Even if it’s a few bucks more expensive than most of the calls in this list, Legend Calls is a highly recommendable tool.
7 - Best Realistic Goose Call
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
- Manufacturer: Primos
- Range: Short reed
- Material: Synthetic
- Shape: Missile-shaped
- Size: 5 x 1.5 x 13 inches
Bottom Line: The snow geese will come running to you with just a single blow on this goose call from Primos.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Loud and clear
- Easy to blow
- Realistic sound
Cons
- Might be too high-pitched and not tunable
- Less durable build
SUMMARY:
The Primos Hunting 828 might be one of the most unique short reed goose calls we’ve tried.
Why is that?
Most goose calls are made for common birds, but Primos Hunting 828 is specialized to sound like a snow goose.
And it sounds so realistic it might even fool you! If you find it too high-pitched, that would be because it’s what snow geese sound like.
This is quite impressive because the snow goose sound is one of the hardest to mimic. That’s why we couldn’t find more of these on the market.
And besides that…
Primos Hunting 828 is easy to use. Just a few blows and it’s broken in.
And with just a little air, you’ll be able to produce a loud and clear sound.
All in all…
You only need to be careful in handling this goose call – it’s not the sturdiest we’ve tried.
But it’s one of the most affordable ones. Primos Hunting 828 still exceeded a lot of our expectations from a cheap goose call.
Why Trust Us
We don’t claim to be game-call technology experts. But we are experienced in this field – we’ve been goose hunting for years.
We’ve heard for ourselves what pitch-perfect calling sounds like. And we can confidently differentiate power calls from barely sounding calls.
That’s why…
We took it upon ourselves to go through the market and buy goose calls of different sizes, shapes, and ranges.
Most have bellowing calls. Some are field-proven calls before we even tried them.
But still, we tested their durability, used them while hunting – from beginner to experienced hunters – and gathered our experiences and observations.
Now…
We have this article and hope that you enjoyed it. But more importantly, we hope it helps you with your next purchase
Buyer's Guide: How To Choose The Best Goose Calls
What are the different types of Best Goose Calls?
- Short reed goose call – the most versatile of all ranges; it can mimic sounds of different geese because of its wide tone and pitch range.
- Flute call – mimics a goose call by generating an automatic back pressure; it’s also versatile but takes more practice to master than the short reed.
- Resonant chamber – less versatile than other ranges but the easiest to learn; it sounds higher-pitched because it needs more airflow to reach the low notes.
Features to look out for:
- A hand-shaved reed produces better sounds than machine-made calls.
- An automatic back pressure requires less effort from the caller to sound the goose call.
- Longer goose calls are made to copy a goose’s long tone channel and the loud tones and deep, hollow sound they produce.
Goose calls and specifications explained:
Goose calls are tools made for mimicking goose sounds so they’d flock to where hunters can aim at them.
- Range – you can choose a resonant chamber call, flute call, or short reed goose call.
- Material – you can choose between a plastic/polycarbonate call or a wooden goose call; there also are acrylic goose calls, but they’re more expensive yet brittle.
- Shape – Flute calls are also flute-shaped, while the other range types are missile-shaped.
- Size – different hunters prefer different lengths and thicknesses of their goose calls.
These are things to consider:
- Acrylic calls are louder so they’re advantageous in bigger fields, but they tend to be more brittle and less durable than wood or plastic.
- Wood calls sound more like a real goose than plastic calls, but they shrink and dry up over time.
- When choosing the best goose call, the number one priority is how realistic its sound is.
Jargon buster:
- Range – the notes that goose calls can produce to create and mimic goose sounds.
Best Goose Calls Top Tips:
- Short reed goose calls are beginner-friendly and versatile.
- There may be versatile goose calls but you’ll do better with specialized ones, especially if you’re a beginner. They require less meticulous air techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the best goose call on the market?
A - Primos 866 is a durable, affordable, and realistic goose call. But this top list has other natural-sounding goose calls that you can choose from.
Question 2: What's the easiest goose call to use?
A - Most goose calls in this top list are easy enough to operate. But Primos hunting 866 and Duck Commander stood out among the others.
Question 3: What do you say when calling a goose?
A - You can make “hoo-hoo-hoo” sounds but it’s best to use the best goose call that you can find.
Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
Value for Money
You’d be surprised how expensive goose calls can be. You can find ones that look their price but sound as cheap as a child’s toy.
Luckily…
We found those that are affordable yet sound like the best goose call you’ve ever heard.
Our Best Value Primos is one of the cheapest flute-styled calls. But it has qualities that topped our metrics even compared to expensive brands on the market.
The others in this list are priced just slightly higher but still within budget. That includes Primos Hunting 866, which is our Editor’s Choice.
Also…
Our Top Pick Duck Commander and Flambeau Outdoors’ Big River 870 are comparable to more expensive brands.
If you’re on a budget, these goose calls might be the ones you’re looking for.
Value for Money Rating
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
Ease of Use
A goose hunter knows that hunting for geese or ducks is a very exhausting job – or hobby.
You’ll have to bring your gear, walk through a complicated terrain, and stealthily approach your target. Then there’s the aim and shoot part, followed by taking home the price where you can clean it.
So…
Goose hunters don’t need to waste their breath trying to get the right air pressure into goose or duck calls. Sadly, we found calls on the market that need a lot of effort and technique to sound realistic.
So, we looked for those already in tune and can sound great even if you’re a beginner caller.
We also considered if it’s easy to take apart for cleaning, assemble again and tune.
Good thing…
There’s our Top Pick Duck Commander, which is probably the easiest blowing goose call we tried. Our Editor’s Choice Primos Hunting 866 is also a very convenient one to use.
We took some points off the others in this top list because of minor inconveniences. But they’re all user-friendly, unlike most products we found on the market.
Ease of Use Rating
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
Durability
The goose calls that we tried have gone through many tests for us to judge their durability.
We tested their sturdiness by dropping them to the ground multiple times, carrying them around our necks while we ran, and taking them with us to the field. We also looked at the interior, not just the exterior.
And we found out…
Sean Mann Shoreman has the sturdiest build in all the goose calls we tried. Our Editor’s Choice Primos Hunting 866 can also compete with it.
Rest assured, the products in this top list might not be equal, but they won’t break too quickly.
Durability Rating
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
Grip
As mentioned before, goose hunters already have too much on their plates. So you don’t need more inconveniences – like goose calls that slip out of your hand while in the field.
The good news is…
The market has many products that are easy to grip. But in terms of comfort and security, the ones that made it in this list towered over the rest.
Specifically, our Editor’s Choice Primos Hunting 866 and Top Pick Duck Commander have those qualities. And the Legend Calls LXC features an extreme grip exterior.
Just take your pick!
Grip Rating
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
Our Final Verdict: Best Goose Calls
The goose sounds have spoken!
After weighing in all the metrics, these are the seven best goose calls on the market.
Our Editor’s Choice Primos Hunting 866 excelled in durability and ease of use. Our Top Pick Duck Commander creates a realistic sound without much effort. And our Best Value Primos can compete well with others despite being one of the cheapest.
You’ll see…
None of these goose calls will disappoint you!
Best Goose Calls Rating
Primos Hunting 866 Goose Call, Honky Tonk
Duck Commander Canada Goose Call
Primos Canada Goose Flute Call
Sean Mann Shoreman XP-1 Canada Goose Call
Flambeau Outdoors BR870 Big River Stuttgart Megaphone Duck Call
Legend Calls LXC Blue Canada Goose Call, Insulating Band Technology
Primos Hunting 828 Goose Call, Shaved Reed Snow
Conclusion: Best Goose Calls
Most hunters neglect the importance of bringing the best goose call to the field. But you’re not one of them, are you?
Surely…
Your goose hunting experience will level up with one of our affordable, durable, and natural-sounding award winners!
You can choose from our Editor’s Choice and Best Value, Primos Hunting 866 and Primos Canada Goose Call, respectively. Or our Top Pick Duck Commander.
Also…
You might want Legend Calls LXC’s strong grip and durable extreme range equipped with LEGEND guts.
But if a durable build is your priority, Sean Mann Shoreman knows how to meet that.
And don’t forget the camo Flambeau Outdoors – its long tone channel enriches its hollow tones for a more realistic call.
Now…
The final verdict is all yours, so take your pick.
Those shy birds are waiting for your call!
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About Author
Bug Out Bill is an adventurer and survivor through and through. From the time he was just a little boy (Bug Out Willie) running and jumping through the backwoods of the rocky mountains in Colorado, to the man he is today. Backpacking through South America, scaling two 26,000+ ft peaks, sailing across the Mediterranean, surviving a near death 50 foot fall with very little food while waiting 6 days to be rescued in the wilderness, and everything in between. No wonder he wants to Bug Out, hahaha. BO Bill is truly a passionate outdoorsman when it comes to living life to the fullest with no boundaries. The way we were meant to live and survive. He shares that passion here with you in his writing and sharing. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Bug Out Bill website. . Now Bug Out!
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