Duck Commander Duck Calls: Jase Robertson’s Guide to Calling Real Ducks

What makes a duck call work in the field? For Jase Robertson, it comes down to a simple idea passed down from his father, Phil: make your call sound like a real duck.

In this guide, Jase shares the Duck Commander approach to calling, explains how to create the air pressure behind a realistic call, and tells the stories behind several calls he uses. Whether you’re new to duck hunting or looking to improve your calling, the goal is the same: listen to ducks, learn their sounds, and call naturally.

“Our Judges Have Wings”

Duck calling contests and duck hunting aren’t the same thing. A contest caller may perform for judges on the ground, but hunters are trying to communicate with ducks in the wild.

Phil Robertson summed up the Duck Commander philosophy with a memorable line: “Our judges have wings.” The best way to learn how ducks sound is to listen to them on the water and practice imitating what you hear—not just the sounds that score well in a contest.

Jase demonstrates the difference between a high-air contest routine and the natural sounds ducks make. The lesson isn’t that calling contests have no place; it’s that hunters should focus on calls that sound believable to the birds they’re trying to attract.

Learning to Call in the Field

Growing up around an experienced caller can be intimidating. Jase recalls feeling nervous about calling in front of Phil, so he spent time practicing on his own.

One slow morning in the blind, Phil told him, “Hit ’em a lick, Jase.” Jase called along with his father, and the two brought a flock in. That moment became a milestone in his development as a hunter—and a reminder that calling is learned through practice, patience, and time in the field.

A call and a spread of decoys are tools for creating a convincing scene. The aim isn’t to make the most noise; it’s to give passing ducks a reason to believe other ducks are there.

How to Make a Duck Call Sound More Natural

A common beginner mistake is simply blowing into a mallard hen call. Without controlled air pressure, the call may sound flat or forced.

Jase emphasizes building pressurized air using your breathing and diaphragm. Rather than producing the sound with a throat grunt, use your tongue to help control the air moving through the call. Think of the tongue as a valve: it helps shape and release the air to create a more natural sound.

Good calling takes practice. Work on steady air control, listen closely to real ducks, and focus on keeping your sounds relaxed and believable.

Duck Commander Calls and the Stories Behind Them

Old Raspy: A beginner-friendly duck call

Jase describes the Old Raspy as a forgiving call that can sound ducky even when a beginner’s air control isn’t perfect. Its history began with a design mistake, but the resulting sound became part of what made the call distinctive.

For new callers, a forgiving call can make practice more enjoyable while they work on breath control and tone.

The original DC-200

The DC-200 traces back to Phil’s early handmade wooden calls. Jase describes its tone as a flat, natural hen mallard sound—a classic example of the straightforward calling style that helped shape Duck Commander.

Building Duck Commander calls

Jase also shares memories of helping make calls as a boy, including operating equipment and doing hands-on work in the shop. The stories offer a glimpse of how the business grew from producing a few thousand calls a year to making many more.

The 4-in-1 and 6-in-1 Whistle

The story behind the 4-in-1 and 6-in-1 whistle starts with a Christmas toy. Phil took one of Jase’s toy whistles, adapted it with a bell housing, and turned it into a working waterfowl call.

Jase demonstrates several sounds made with the whistle, including:

• Green-winged teal drake peeps
• The three-note wigeon whistle
• Pintail whistles
• A low mallard drake buzz
• Mourning dove and quail sounds

The whistle’s range makes it useful for more than one species. Learning the different notes can add variety to a hunter’s calling options.

Duck Commander Calls on Jase Robertson’s Lanyard

Jase walks through several calls he carries and explains the sounds and situations each one is designed for.

Triple Threat

The Triple Threat is a triple-reed call designed to produce a raspy, authentic hen mallard sound. Jase discusses how its design helps create the tone he wants when calling.

The Select

The Select has a sharp “crack” on the high note. That distinct sound can help a caller cut through weather and make a hen-style call stand out.

Duck Commander teal call

A teal call should sound natural for the bird. Jase explains why making teal calls excessively loud can be counterproductive and demonstrates the quieter pitch he prefers.

Duck Commander wood duck call

Jase challenges the idea that wood ducks can’t be called. He describes using the call to imitate the sounds wood ducks make when they’re sitting on the water, rather than relying only on the squeals heard from birds in flight. Pairing the sound with visible decoy movement can help create a more convincing setup.

Jase Robertson Pro Series

The Jase Robertson Pro Series is designed to require minimal air pressure, making it an option for hunters who want a call that’s easy to blow throughout a day in the field.

Choose a Call and Learn Its Sound

The right Duck Commander call depends on what you’re hunting, the sound you want to make, and how comfortable you are with air control. A beginner may appreciate a forgiving call, while an experienced caller may choose different calls for specific tones or species.

Whatever call you carry, Jase’s advice starts with the same principle: listen to real ducks and make your calls sound natural. Practice with your call, learn what each sound is meant to imitate, and let the birds—not the audience—be your judges.

Watch Jase Robertson Discuss Duck Commander Duck Calls

In the video, Jase covers the Duck Commander calling philosophy, his early days around the call-making business, air-pressure technique, the origins of the multi-species whistle, and the calls he carries on his lanyard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Duck Commander philosophy of duck calling?

The focus is on making calls that sound like real ducks in the wild. As Phil Robertson put it, “Our judges have wings.”

What is a good Duck Commander call for beginners?

Jase describes the Old Raspy as forgiving and capable of producing a ducky sound while a new caller develops air control.

How do you use air pressure on a duck call?

Jase recommends creating controlled, pressurized air through your breathing and diaphragm, then using your tongue to help shape the airflow.

Can wood ducks be called?

Jase says they can. He demonstrates calling sounds associated with wood ducks on the water and discusses using those sounds with decoy movement.