I really don't know why many of them went to extremes in checkering and carving perhaps it was marketing on a much simpler level. It's true, many of the old calls don't sound that great, but, back then, if it quacked at all you really had something. Many of them were market hunters and guides and made a living that way. Most made calls out of necessity, especially when the use of live decoys was outlawed. I guess Howard Harlan sums it up best in the title of his book, 'Duck Calls, An Enduring American Folk Art.' Like what has been previously said, most of the early call makers were artists whether they knew it or not. The CNC calls made by the thousands are not going to get into the realm of stupid money but more of the one at a time guys that do it by hand, The calls will not be perfect but you can rest assured that they will be worth a serious amount of money down the road.Д«esides its more fun than collecting golf clubs NO MATTER what you may pay for these calls today they are an investment because as the supply of calls decline the value of them will go up. Some of the guys making calls today are just flat out awesome call makers, Look at the recent St Charles event as well as the NWTF event to see some serious works of art. Times have changed and so has the need for better sounding calls and more proficient callers. Its the call, The call maker and the history of the call that I look for when I am spending my children's college funds, The fact that some of the older calls sound lame compared to some of todays calls is due in large part that when the skies were filled with ducks little skill with a call was needed ergo little more than a feeble quack was needed most of the time. When your looking at older calls some will be collectibles and some will become footnotes in history. Unless the call is highly collectable, I will probably stay away from it. There are some neat calls being sold that you would think might sell for more, but when they barely make a sound like a duck, I can't stand the thought of shelling out money for another one. I probably won't buy a marginal collectable call if is sounds terrible. They sound great, until they get wet and they are the most sticking SOB's ever. I think advancements in materials & knowledge have allowed makers to make some pretty good advancements in call making. Some people might not agree with me on that, but I would put a Watkins on my lanyard before a Taylor any day of the week. I will go out on a limb here, but I think some of the calls being made by the makers at the top of the page are some of the best sounding and performing calls EVER.

and I still think that sometimes they are only marginal. A lot of them too! I have tweaked reeds, corks, etc. I can't tell you how disappointed I have been with some old calls when it comes to their tone. It may also be the mystique of the person and their influence on the call making industry or hunting world? I think some of those makers that have different kinds of influence (design, shape, details, etc.) might command a higher price. Only ones out there are the ones that have already been made. The ones that are not being made any more are just that. Obviously 'supply & demand' economics come into play. You should really get some of the calls books that are out (Harland, Fleming, etc.) Some really neat stuff in there. History of calls and the sport of duck hunting really facinates me and Im always looking to learn. If you dont want to publicly post you can PM me. Id love to hear what guys you have to say. Is it the call makers themselves personalities or is it because the TOne qualities are better compared to the 'new age callmakers'? To me it feels like its a little combination of everything.Д«ut my main question is, so what are some of the best sounding 'old' calls? DanT, cootshooter, Hamp123, woodro, 80proof I know you guys are some of the more serious collectors around here. Is it solely based on the rareity of the call not being produced anymore? The 'whats out there is out there' deal. My question is what makes an 'old' call so popular and sought after. I realize many are now collectors items and cost some serious dough.

just some of the old time call makers that come to my mind off the top of my head.

Harlen,Beckhart,McLemore,Taylor,Martin, Hambone ,Iverson,Duke, England, Johhny Marsh,Kingyon, Sparks.

Antique duck hunting calls