Cut-Down Calling Made Easier | What is a Cutdown Style Duck Call?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks for watching! Ask your questions about the cutdown!

[@wm8822]

How much is to much to pay for one. I help guide hunts here I nc and I've always used traditional calls but I'm looking to start yousn cut-downs I'm a big fan on rnt calls but I know they tend to over price. So how much is enough that I'll get a good call but not over pay for something I don't really need

[@aaronsnatic2446]

Duck Calls and Star Wars references....I LOVE this channel!!!! I'm currently working on blowing a cutdown, the Mondo 2B. In fact I need to get back to practicing on it, but tough when I'm working on my competition calling also, LOL!!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Tough indeed! And may the force be with you!

[@brandoncorley1514]

Right now i hunt with a Singleton cutdown & Llares Hybrid. Best combo ive found yet! Love all ur vids!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Awesome! It’s so good to find something that works well for you! And Thank you!!

[@brandoncorley1514]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason for sure! Ive found over the short 4 years of duck hunting, that confident in anything from calls, to deeks to ammo/ guns and clothes, makes ALL the Difference!!

[@DaddyDuck365]

Master Joel.....The Jedi of editing

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks Matt!

[@brucerudd69]

Joel, after blowing double reads for about 4 decades I decided to try a single reed last season and got a JJ Lares T1. Took a minute to learn it but by the end of the season I was pretty happy with it. I like the sound of your Mondo in these videos and think I want to give them a try. I think you use the DC but I see a couple of other varieties of the Mondo are available. It would be great if you could do a video on the differences in the calls; how they blow, how they may sound different and when one might be preferred over the other, either in hunting situation or the guy blowing it. Thanks, Bruce

[@brucerudd69]

I went ahead and got a DC Mondo and at first was not happy. I shortened the reed a bit and not is sounds much better. I have more tuning to do. I had to do the same with the JJ Lares T1 I got last year but I am really like the sound it has and I am able to make a nice cajun squeal with it. Blew single reeds all my life and cheap ones at that. I am thing that tuning is much more important on these higher end single reeds.

[@scenicriversfarmforestcons9616]

Just bought a DC Mondo 2B. I'm taking your advice to buy what I want (or in my case, what I think I want) and then learn it..

[@4mrholsterco981]

Here 3 years late, but I absolutely love my single reed echo breaker. I can get super loud and actually catch the attention of high flying ducks, and also get low and raspy with it for closer ducks. My backup call is my cheap zinc polycarbonate power hen double reed. I’m going to make some custom barrels soon for me and my buddies for duck camp and use echo inserts.

[@mikeries8549]

Had a d2 cut to fit my hand. Barrel and tone board modified. It sounds fantastic at from 100 feet and up. Up close not too much. Record yourself close then step off 100 feet. Way different.

[@brucerudd69]

So true. Was in the blind with my dad last year and I got out once to do something. When I was 50 yards away with some trees between us I’d have thought he was a freakin duck. Sitting next to him, no so much.

[@nathanswartz5824]

I remember when I first learned to blow a cutdown. Lots of practice sessions ended with headaches from trying to force a lot of air into it. Glad I learned though as it has definitely made the difference on several hunts over the years.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on 👍🏻💪🏻👊🏻

[@woalmann6288]

Great info Joel! Starting out on a cut down I bought a Kirk McCullough X-maker, very forgiving call and still very ducky. I highly recommend one for anyone looking to get in the game and not break the bank. Just calling around in the house or whatever the single quack sounds flat....but when you get it in the woods or marsh. It sounds just like an old mallard hen.

[@honkerh8r564]

I have a pretty out of control collection of duck calls, and a bunch of them are cut-downs. I have mondos, Kirk McCullough, Timber Thief, Echo, Power Calls, Olt keyhole, and some others I can't remember right now. The cut-downs that make it to my lanyard are the Power Calls Ignition and a RNT Rockin' R. Sometimes a mondo if I feel like something different that day.

[@gunguru7020]

Brought a cut down a couple years ago to our club. Had guys telling me to put it away. Only used it when hunting by myself or with certain friends and was pulling ducks. Started using around the naysayers and now I laugh when it pulls ducks the jframes won't. They still won't admit it but they don't tell me to put it up anymore, lol.

[@kraigkaatz6858]

Thanks Joel.. Good information...

[@neiloliver5317]

I am trying out a Rolling Thunder Original cutdown. I am trying to learn how to use a standard mallard after using a whistle only for years.

[@jasonwaldon4351]

Hey please show some land management videos. I love that stuff and so do alot of other people. Thanks!!

[@kitchencreekoutdoors6298]

I use my own make. They are primarily Arkansas style. I am getting ready to start making some cut downs. I do have a sure shot yentzen that has been in my lanyard for 20 plus years.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on!

[@Penguin_vrr]

I blow a boots on regular mondo that’s been cut by Kurt McCullough... he also modified the rim of the barrel and flared the insert.... his mods are money👌🏼

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Sweet!

[@clintezell3298]

I use a buck gardner, still have an olt d2 that sounds good, my favorite is an old 2 reed knight and hale it sounded the best at the time ,used it for over 20 yrs

[@timcollins1626]

Joel....like you I have been hunting ducks for about 40 years. I love the calling! Bryce Decker (Black River Duck Calls) from down in your neck of the woods, makes a call "The Tyrant" single reed. I ordered one and it sounds almost exactly like a "Cutdown" only easier to run real raspy and I believe you would sound great on that call. You should look into getting one!

[@ChasingGreen]

Echo 🤘🏻

[@samstrickland4632]

Joel, just found your channel. Have been duck hunting since I was 10. Mainly Texas rice fields, coastal marsh and back bays. Great info in your videos. Would like to come hunt with you.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks, glad you like the content. You can check out the lodge’s website www.cypresscrossingduckclub.com

[@jacobschlatre7333]

blowing a cutdown really is a process, it takes a lot of time, and it is very non traditional. I haven't seen how ducks react to mine personally, but I love the sounds that I have learned to make, and can't wait for the field test.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

If you hunt in an area where you can call aggressively, it will blow your mind how they will react to your call (some days)!

[@etiennescarbinski7890]

I have a mccollough grafton cutdown, sounds good

[@pineridgeco.1643]

I went to cypress crossing last year and can’t wait to come back

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on 👍🏻💪🏻👊🏻

[@neelrandall4803]

Have echo ace in hole sounds great but just can't get feeder call

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I haven't blown that one. Just keep practicing and the feed call will come!

[@garyadams2822]

The wife just bought me one from RNT last week. Very loud . I’m going to keep practicing👍

[@nicsown867]

I learned how to call on cutdowns, trying to blow a traditional call is a bit of a challenge for me. I blow Black Stick of Death Colt 45, Elite Big Hurrkin, and RNT Mondo. Used them to kill 246 birds last season, all on public land.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Cool stuff! Yeah I guess it goes both ways lol

[@codywolf5134]

This isnt about the cutdown but is there any chance you could do a speck calling video ive been trying to learn just no good videos for it

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yes... it’s on my list!

[@codywolf5134]

Awsome thank you

[@brucerudd69]

Another great video, Joel. You have the best hunting content anywhere. I have been trying to contact your lodge to book a hunt this season and neither the phone number nor the online form are working. I did just sent and email but was hoping if I let you know about it, I might rattle a tree or two. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

You should txt Scot to the phone number. I'll reach out and let him know to be looking for it.

[@brucerudd69]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason thanks Joel. He called me a little after I made this comment and looks like we’re going to set up a hunt in January. Looking forward to it. Thanks.

[@chrismcneil5543]

Light Saber was the best! Love it. Fyi the video did not show up as a link at the end of this video. Joel we’ve discussed it several times, I bought three new reads and just have an extra 16th of an inch length as opposed to the reed I had and it makes a massive difference. Now I can blow real hard without distorting, the other one would start to distort having been trimmed a hair too short. Have you ever bent the tip of the reed up, if so did you like the results?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Hey Chris, I tried the link on 3 different devices and a computer… worked fine for me 🤷🏻‍♂️ No haven’t messed with bending the reed tip. I’ve heard others talk about it though.

[@chrismcneil5543]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason Oh OK, it’s just that when you pointed to the right in your video the video and description didn’t show up on the screen, at least when I watched it. That’s just an FYI as I have watched that video before. Again great content keep doing it!

[@jacksonrutledge5165]

I grew up on an original Olt, regular duck call. I learned to blow on it. And now anything I blow I blow way too much air into. And now I’m looking hard for something similar or at least how to change my style

[@anthonymirkovich5156]

Olt 66 olt mkv for me and a iverson ceramic

[@BlackBeltProduction]

I want to learn a cutdown, I have a singleton cut down right now I’m trying to learn, but currently is a Echo

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on brother. It may take you a while, but you can do it!

[@tylerlower5140]

I run a single reed acrylic... To me it sounds the best.

[@graydoncarruth5044]

Do you use any backpressure with your cutdowns?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Back pressure is built in to the duck call itself, you don’t need to manipulate your hands and such to create back pressure like you do with goose calls.

[@graydoncarruth5044]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason I was talking about using back pressure on J-frame. Have done so for years to manipulate tone but maybe not with a cutdown?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

@@graydoncarruth5044 I'm not entirely sure what you are talking about, but cut downs have a larger bore and much less back pressure than traditional J-frames. I never really thought about it until you asked the question, but that is why cutdowns are less forgiving than traditional calls... less built in back pressure. I'm not sure if that answers your question or not, or helps you. It may be that you are using the term differently that I'm accustomed to hearing.

[@graydoncarruth5044]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason that actually makes a lot of sense. I have used my free fingers to create backpressure (maybe I'm using the wrong word) to manipulate tone and volume, like working your hand over a goose call, for a long time with the traditional J-frames. Maybe we are using the same word to describe different things? Or maybe I'm just nuts lol. I would describe myself as a somewhat successful amateur at best.

[@mikhailrochester7272]

Great video!! In my group of duck hunters I have been voted the caller. Im not the best or a competition call by any means. But I've been able to turn and pull birds in multiple times. Over the years I've been trying to advance my skills. Learning the Cajun squeal, bouncing hen etc... I'm very interested in the cutdown. Is there a brand you would recommend? I know you use the mondo by RnT. I'm a big fan of Echo calls. But I'm open to suggestions. Thanks again for all you do. Your channel and videos bring new ideas and tips to the duck hole.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks! My recommendation would be the ones I mentioned in the video- RNT, Challenger, and KM. Echo was a little late to the dance with their cutdown, so I had already 2 Mondos by the time they came out with one. I don't know anyone who blows one or really anything about it.

[@Drblood6721]

Joel, another great vid. I picked up the Mondo 2B after watching you then heading to RNT's youtube as well. I started on a double reed 3 years ago, have a few singles and then wanted a really nice call so I splurged on this. Question is, I find it much harder to make a feed call (rolling or broken) on this. Could it be a stiffer reed not offering as much "snap back " as others I've had? I do love the chop chop on it though!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I'm not sure, I find the feed call easier to blow on a cutdown. I guess everyone is a little different.

[@Penguin_vrr]

Mondo 2B is not your normal cutdown... it blows nothing like any of the other mondos the 2B has a lot of back pressure built in which a mondo or a regular cutdown does not making it a looser call and there for easier to get a feed call out of it

[@Drblood6721]

@@Penguin_vrr Wow, that was actually really inciteful thank you. Maybe I'll try to get my hands on a regular Mondo and see the difference. Unfortunately they don't have too many duck shows up here in Vermont and returning calls isn't super sanitary, ha. Happy with the 2b sound, just have to learn how to run it more

[@graydoncarruth5044]

Are the responses you've seen mallard specific or across all species? I have a bit of a gadwall problem lol.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I routinely call in all types of ducks using mallard calls. Gadwalls are odd though. You can never know what they will like. You might try using a gadwall call.

[@graydoncarruth5044]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason oh I have. So no magic bullet for the circle.....circle....circle......circle...... routine? Dang it. I hate gadwalls.🙄

[@robdishjr4912]

@@graydoncarruth5044 from My experience with gaddys I use my mallard call in short choppy raspy quacks and it tends to work. They are def hard headed but that's what tends to work for me. First note like a normal raspy quack then 2 short choppy quacks to follow.

[@Dopey_Fudd]

I left waterfowl hunting (after 15 years of running hard) during the "duck dynasty fad". My last season was the 13-14 season. Too many "duck commander wannabes". Anyhow, seeing these cut down calls has peaked my interest. When I went on hiatus, I had never heard of them. I run a single Reed, double Reed, and a Reed and a half. Would this be a good option to replace my single reed with? The single is loud and fast, but is due to be upgraded. What say you?

[@devanstory7048]

737 cut down tomahawk i just got it and its awesome I just wanna get better

[@jacobschlatre7333]

also if anyone reads these comments for tips, if you are looking to buy a new call, definitely do what joel said in the video, don't just buy one, and then another after you learn. buy the one you want to learn on, and commit to it. I made the mistake of just buying a cheap ones to learn and then keep graduating to better calls, i've sunk so much money into calls this way, and i really do not think it benefited me that much because each call is so different.

[@Skyguy2017.]

If I hunt marshes, open lakes and flooded Timber which mondo would be the best for me?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

It’s entirely a preference of the user. You should be able to use any of them in any environment.

[@southernsquealers9695]

I'm 14 and pretty experienced with blowing duck calls. Should I be blowing a cutdown or a quieter call in flooded beaver ponds.

[@southernsquealers9695]

@Waxed Canvas thanks, I usually wood duck hunt and you don't have to call much for them but wanted to try and get some mallards this past season.

[@fordoutdoors3229]

Hey Joel do you hunt with Colton Kerr?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yes we both guide at Cypress Crossing Duck Club.

[@christopherkwasny5333]

How often do you practice calling?

[@SKiiTTLe5]

Which sounds better (even if slight differences) the Mondo or the Mondo S? Is one raspier than the other or do they sound basically the same and the only difference is the length?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

“Best”is totally subjective. The difference in the two calls to me is in the way they respond to the way you blow them. I tend to prefer the short barrel. But there are some guys that prefer the regular. Neither is louder or more raspy.

[@SKiiTTLe5]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason bought the regular Mondo today and it probably took less time to get used to then when I first grabbed a double reed…maybe all those trumpet lessons back in the day paid off😂

[@dylanthornton4434]

@@SKiiTTLe5 I just got a mondo last week and seems to me that I’ve had an easier time learning how to use it than the double reed that I had before

[@jeremywilson4277]

I sold my mondo ivery.....it seem to stick really quickly.....I don't need to blow at ducks. n it sticks n the middle of a greeting call

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Cut downs are very difficult for many people. It definitely takes time to master it. I almost gave up a few times lol

[@FreedomWon20]

I have a Mondo LT, can you please tell me how to make higher and lower tones.. I can ONLY get one tone? Why?

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

It’s in the way you shape your mouth as you force the air through the call. I talk more about it on the cutdown instructional video. You should check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXXTnpqjfcp5qa8

[@FreedomWon20]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason watched it 4 times... still can't get it... ???

[@dust2711]

@@FreedomWon20 Practice, practice, and more practice. That’s what really helps at the end of the day. You can try trimming a tiny hair off the back of the reed. That might make it a little easier for you to blow and learn the different tones. Just my 2 cents

[@chrismcneil5543]

I had to cut the length to get it to attenuate

[@FreedomWon20]

@@chrismcneil5543 well I bought the RNT reed tuning kit. So I have plenty of reeds so I'll cut a hair off at a time and see if I can't get it... Thanks man....

[@danjensen1565]

What’s the best budget cutdown call that you would recommend?

[@haztactical9438]

Is it really worth buying a $60-$100 + call over a $20 primos.

[@TripleCurlProductions]

Theres a difference for sure

[@jacobschlatre7333]

i blow the KM X-Maker

[@sabelewellyn8702]

Do you or have you every blown or hunted with a Kirk McCullough Cut-down? If so what is your opinion?

[@duckcrazywaterfowl2608]

Rolling thunder Brute R

[@apatriot1762]

I can’t believe you don’t have a million subs yet

[@crowman5936]

Use J.J.Lares calls the originals made by Joe Lares.

[@aaronekker3250]

Cut-down 2.0 DC and a DC oak

[@christie0129]

What is your take on duck calling apps with high end bluetooth speaker? I love gadgets!

[@wm8822]

Lol I hope this is a joke

[@BeatRock253]

Jason this is illegal

[@combatmedic7678]

Please don’t do this.

[@jeremywilson4277]

I still don't like them...