If you're looking for a duck call that'll perform well in cold weather, the Haydel's DR-85, also known as "The Deceiver," is a solid option. Its double-reed design is known to make realistic duck sounds, and both beginners and seasoned hunters seem to appreciate it.
One of its handy features is the adjustable floating wedge, which lets you tweak the pitch to match different setups—even in chilly conditions. The manufacturer claims it works well in both wet and dry environments, and our research backs that up. It seems this call can hold its own against moisture, a big plus during cold, damp hunts.
From what we've gathered, many people are quite happy with its cold weather performance. It's got a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 600 reviews, showing a lot of folks are fans. However, there have been some mentions of the reeds sticking a bit in really cold conditions. While this happens sometimes, it's generally seen as a minor issue given the call's overall performance.
In terms of durability, it's considered pretty tough, but it's not invincible. Some people have mentioned it might split if dropped or handled roughly, so that's something to keep in mind, especially if you're out in rugged areas.
As for cost, many hunters feel the DR-85 gives you great sound quality without needing to splurge on a pricier model. So, even with a couple of small issues like occasional reed sticking and the need to be a bit careful with it, the DR-85 seems to be a favorite for hunting in cold weather.
