Double reed duck calls reward a different kind of hunter than single reed designs. You push air through two thin reeds instead of one, the call does most of the “talking” for you, and the result is a softer, more natural mallard hen sound with less reed control needed from your end. For early-season hunts, flooded timber, or any scenario where you want a finishing call that sounds like a contented hen rather than a loud one, double reeds earn their spot on the lanyard.
The picks below mix beginner-friendly polycarbonate shells, pro-series hardwood barrels, and a specialty whistle, plus one accessory that solves a problem most callers forget about. Every recommendation fits a different hunting style and budget, so you can match the call to your marsh, not the other way around.
A Quick View Of The Lineup
Duck Commander Classic Duck Calls – Variety of Styles
Duck Commander Jase Robertson Pro Series Duck Call
Buck Gardner BGC Double Nasty & Wood Duck Call Combo
Duck Commander Specialty Duck Calls – Late Season Hunting
Duck Commander Phil Robertson Pro Series Duck Call, Oak
PSKOOK Paracord Duck Call Lanyard – 12 Adjustable Loops
Haydel’s DR-85 Mallard Duck Call – Double Reed
Poly Double Reed Duck Call by Buck Gardner
Primos Hunting Duck Call 838, High Roller
The Picks, Examined More Closely
This RDC100 call earns its spot as the entry-level gateway into the double reed world. The smoke grey polycarbonate shell shrugs off the drops, dents, and grimy blind floors that come with a first season in the marsh, and the single reed friction-fit design produces the kind of raspy mallard hen sound that newer callers can coax out without overthinking air pressure. If you’ve been borrowing calls or running a hand-me-down, you’ll notice right away how little effort this one demands from your lungs.
For hunters still figuring out cadence, this is a quiet teacher. It’s less demanding than the Jase Robertson Pro Series that comes later in this list, and the tone leans toward the forgiving end of the spectrum. Most beginners will produce a believable hen quack on the first morning rather than the fifth.
A Few Highlights
- Tough polycarbonate body handles drops onto boat decks and gravel ramps
- Single reed design responds to a wide range of air pressure, so overblowing is hard to do
- Compact enough to clip on a lanyard without pulling the cord sideways
- Raspy hen sound works well on timber ducks and early-season migrators
Things To Consider
- Polycarbonate tone runs brighter than wood or acrylic alternatives, which some late-season hunters find thin
- Wet reeds can stick occasionally in freezing temps without a quick breath purge
Feature Snapshot
Who It Suits Best
Brand-new waterfowl hunters working through their first few seasons and anyone buying a backup call that can take abuse without complaint.
Skip It When
You hunt pressured late-season birds and want the raspy, low-volume character of the Duck Commander Specialty Duck Calls instead.
Step up from the Classic and you land in the Jase Robertson Pro Series, a call that behaves more like a tool than a starter. The burnt hedge barrel pairs with a clear poly insert and an aluminum gold anodized band, giving the call a darker tonal core than the Classic’s brighter polycarbonate. You feel the difference in your hands before you hear it: a touch heavier, a touch more focused, and tuned for the hen sound hunters actually want when ducks are working high overhead.
The real advantage shows up across varied hunting setups. The high end carries across open water when you need to reach birds at distance, while the low end softens into a finishing quack for close-in timber. If you’re running flooded corn or big reservoirs where sound has to travel, this one earns its slot ahead of the budget options.
Everyday Wins
- Authentic mallard hen tone with both piercing highs and raspy lows
- Aluminum band reinforces the barrel against the inevitable blind-bag collisions
- Burnt hedge wood adds depth that polycarbonate calls can’t replicate
- Works across open water, fields, and flooded timber without retuning
Points To Keep In Mind
- Requires slightly more breath control than entry-level polycarbonate calls
- Wood barrel needs a light coat of oil once a season to prevent checking
Best Match For
Intermediate to advanced callers hunting varied terrain who want one call that covers both long-distance hails and close-in finesse work.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
You mostly hunt flooded timber at close range, where the Duck Commander Phil Robertson Pro Series in oak produces more volume with less air.
Most lanyards start with one call and slowly grow to three or four. The Buck Gardner Timber Pack skips that slow accumulation by giving you the Double Nasty mallard call and the Wood Duck Call in a single two-pack. The Double Nasty brings a Spit-Tech toneboard that keeps the reed from sticking when moisture builds up, while the wood duck call covers a species most mallard-only lanyards completely miss.
For hunters who actually see wood ducks in their area, this kit pulls double duty on the same morning. Swamps, sloughs, and river timber all favor woodies, and pairing the Double Nasty’s feed-call rasp with a high-pitched wood duck whistle fills the soundscape without buying a second setup.
Benefits That Matter
- Two specialized calls at a lower combined cost than buying them separately
- Spit-Tech toneboard helps the call keep working after your breath fogs the reeds
- Full sound range from soft feeding quacks to sharp hails on both calls
- Covers both mallard and wood duck scenarios in one lanyard setup
Trade-Offs
- Bundle pricing only makes sense if you actually hunt wood ducks in your area
- Two calls means more lanyard weight, which some hunters find awkward in the blind
Quick Facts
Right Fit For
Hunters who share marsh habitat with both mallards and wood ducks and want a two-call setup without piecing it together separately.
Not Your Match When
Your hunting is strictly field-based mallard work and you don’t need a wood duck call on the lanyard.
Late-season mallards have heard everything in the catalog by December, and a bright, cheerful call gets ignored. The Miss Priss single reed design produces the raspy, content hen sound pressured birds actually respond to, and the high-impact polycarbonate build shrugs off the cold-weather handling that destroys lesser calls. Hunters who have watched their early-season setup fall silent in January will appreciate what this one brings.
Compared to the Jase Robertson Pro Series, the tone here leans raspier and less carrying. That’s the point. When ducks are circling but refusing to finish, a softer call that mimics a hen already on the water tends to seal the deal where louder hails spook them off.
Good Reasons To Consider
- Raspy mallard hen sound matches what pressured late-season birds expect
- High-impact plastic tolerates the frozen-handle drops common in December blinds
- Works for both novice and seasoned callers thanks to forgiving air response
- Drake call option adds a second voice for mixed-flock setups
Honest Caveats
- Short carry distance means less reach across open reservoirs
- Single reed requires more breath discipline than double reed designs in freezing temps
Key Product Details
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Late-season hunters in pressured public-land marshes where a soft, raspy hen sound out-produces louder calls.
Consider Something Else When
You hunt early season with birds that still respond to louder hails, where the Phil Robertson Pro Series oak call gives you more carry.
When you step into flooded timber, your call needs to reach around trunks and across standing water without losing character. The Phil Robertson Pro Series in oak handles that job with a high-impact barrel that pushes a loud, resonant note while keeping the raspy “ducky” tone the Duck Commander brand built its name on. It’s the kind of call you hear from a hundred yards away and recognize.
Versatility is the underrated win here. Beginners can blow it without overthinking, and seasoned callers can coax feed calls, hail calls, and comeback calls out of the same barrel. It’s one of the rare all-purpose wood calls that doesn’t punish you for switching styles mid-morning.
The Case For It
- Powerful volume carries across timber and open fields
- Distinctive raspy tone mimics mature mallards rather than juveniles
- All-purpose design works for feed calls, hails, and finesse work
- Beginner-friendly air response despite the wood construction
Small Caveats
- Wood barrel weighs more on the lanyard than polycarbonate alternatives
- Volume can overshoot pressured late-season birds used to softer sounds
Built With In Mind
Timber hunters and field callers who need volume that carries and a tone that cuts through wind and rain.
Look Elsewhere When
Your late-season birds demand the soft rasp of the Duck Commander Specialty Duck Calls rather than bold volume.
The PSKOOK lanyard isn’t a call at all, and that matters. Once you’ve built up three or four calls like the ones in this list, you need somewhere to keep them organized at the blind. The hand-braided paracord, with twelve adjustable loops across roughly sixty feet of cord, holds calls, whistles, and a goose call without tangling.
Hunters who already run multiple calls appreciate the wide 0.8-inch braid that sits flat against a jacket and doesn’t dig into the neck during long sits. It’s the kind of accessory that quietly makes every other pick on this list easier to use.
Everyday Perks
- Twelve adjustable loops hold calls plus a whistle without crowding
- Hand-braided paracord feels softer against the neck than stiff nylon straps
- Wide 0.8-inch construction spreads weight across the collarbone
- Easy to wipe clean after muddy boat rides
Worth Noting
- Lanyard-only purchase doesn’t add calling capability on its own
- Large 90cm length may be long for hunters with smaller frames
Best Suited To
Hunters running three or more calls on a single setup who want organized access without fumbling in the dark.
Reach For A Different Pick When
You only run a single call and prefer a minimalist clip-on setup over a full lanyard.
Nicknamed “The Deceiver,” the DR-85 has been on the Haydel’s roster longer than most hunters have been calling. The fully adjustable floating wedge lets you tune the reed tension to your liking, and the call blows wet without protest, which solves the single most common morning frustration. Hand tuning by professional callers means each unit leaves the shop ready to perform.
Where this differs from the Buck Gardner Double Nasty that appears later in this list is the tunability. If you’ve ever picked up a call and wished it sounded just a little raspier or a little softer, the DR-85 gives you a knob to turn. Beginners ignore the wedge and run it stock, while tinkerers spend the offseason dialing in their own signature tone.
Well-Handled Touches
- Adjustable floating wedge lets you tune reed tension to taste
- Hand-tuned by professional callers before shipping
- Blows reliably even when reeds are wet from breath or rain
- Suitable for both first-time callers and competition-level users
Points To Note
- Tunability adds a learning curve beginners may not want to tackle
- Adjustable wedge can drift mid-hunt if not locked down firmly
Perfect Match For
Hunters who like dialing in their gear and want a call that responds to tuning rather than locking you into one sound.
Swap It Out When
You want a no-adjustment call that performs right out of the box, where the Buck Gardner Double Nasty offers simpler operation.
The Poly Double Nasty from Buck Gardner takes the brand’s flagship toneboard and wraps it in polycarbonate, which keeps the price honest and the weight low. The Spit-Tech design keeps the reed free even when saliva, condensation, or rain sneaks into the barrel, so the call keeps working through the wet mornings that silence lesser designs.
Compared to the Haydel’s DR-85, you give up the adjustable wedge in exchange for a simpler plug-and-play build. Hunters who want a double reed that just works without tuning should start here. Loud, raspy output that carries well across open water without any setup fuss.
Useful Highlights
- Spit-Tech toneboard prevents sticking even when reeds are soaked
- Polycarbonate body weighs less than wood calls on a long lanyard
- Hand-tuned by Buck Gardner’s Memphis shop before shipping
- Loud, raspy sound suits open-water and field hunting
Minor Gripes
- Polycarbonate tone is brighter and less warm than wood barrels
- No tuning wedge means you’re locked into the factory sound
Who Should Grab It
Hunters hunting wet or cold mornings where reed-sticking kills lesser calls, and anyone wanting a no-fuss double reed right out of the box.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
You want adjustable reed tension and a tunable sound, where the Haydel’s DR-85 gives you the dial.
The High Roller rounds out the lanyard with something most mallard-only setups never cover. The built-in roller bar produces the fluttering pintail whistle automatically, while the same call reproduces the mallard drake grunt, widgeon whistle, and teal chatter. It’s the rare specialty call that earns its slot by filling in sounds your mallard call can’t reach.
Hunters running divers and dabblers in the same marsh appreciate the variety, especially during mixed-flock migrations when pintails ride in alongside mallards. It’s not a primary call, but as a second or third voice on the lanyard, it covers species most hunters never bother to learn.
A Favorable Mix
- Built-in roller bar produces the pintail whistle without complex technique
- Covers pintail, mallard drake, widgeon, and teal in a single call
- Adds variety to a lanyard that would otherwise run mallard-only
- Simple blow pattern works for callers at any experience level
Where It Is Less Suited
- Doesn’t replace a dedicated mallard hen call for primary hailing
- Specialty whistles add lanyard clutter for hunters who rarely see divers
Made For
Hunters in mixed-species territory who want to add pintail, widgeon, and teal voices without buying separate specialty calls.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Your marsh runs almost entirely mallards and you want the dedicated hen sound of the Duck Commander Classic Duck Calls instead.
Choosing Double Reed Duck Calls That Match Your Hunt
Picking the right double reed duck call comes down to matching tone, material, and tuning to the kind of hunting you actually do. The wrong call in the right marsh still gets ignored, and the right call in the wrong setup wastes money.
Reed Style and Sound Profile
Double reeds (two thin reeds vibrating together) produce a softer, more forgiving sound than single reeds (one reed against a flat toneboard). Single reeds give you more volume and expression but demand stronger breath control. Beginners usually settle into double reeds faster because the reeds do more of the work, while seasoned callers sometimes prefer single reeds for their range.
Material and Durability
Polycarbonate calls weigh less, cost less, and survive drops, but they sound brighter and thinner than wood. Hardwood barrels like oak and acrylic produce warmer tones with more depth, though they need occasional oiling and handle rough transport less gracefully. Your climate and how rough your blind routine is should drive this choice more than aesthetics.
Tuning and Adjustability
Some calls ship fixed from the factory, while others include adjustable wedges or toneboards that let you tighten or loosen the reed. If you’ve never tuned a call before, start with a fixed design and learn what sounds you like before chasing adjustability. The Haydel’s DR-85 is a fair stepping stone once you know what to listen for.
Habitat and Species
Timber and close-range calling favor softer, raspier calls. Open water and field hunting favor louder calls with more carry. If your marsh holds wood ducks or divers alongside mallards, a combo kit or specialty whistle fills gaps a single mallard call can’t reach.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
New callers often pick a single call based on brand recognition and assume it covers every scenario. The honest move is to think about your primary hunting environment first, then match the call’s strength to that setup. Buying the loudest call on the market won’t help if you hunt pressured late-season timber, and the softest call won’t reach birds across open water. Also, skipping a lanyard until you’ve collected three or four calls leaves you fumbling in the dark when the moment comes.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Higher-tier calls usually spend the budget on hand tuning, wood barrels, and adjustable toneboards. Hand tuning means a professional caller has dialed in the reed tension before shipping, which saves you the trial-and-error phase. Wood barrels add tonal warmth that polycarbonate can’t replicate, and adjustable toneboards let you reshape the sound as your skills grow. For beginners, these upgrades matter less than learning fundamentals on a forgiving call first.