Duck calls hold a rich tradition in the world of waterfowl hunting. Some folks treat their call collections with as much pride as their decoy spreads. The magic behind a crisp, sharp quack doesn’t always come from a master woodworker; most modern duck calls rely on a type of acrylic resin that delivers both performance and style.
Many companies in the call-making business use cast acrylic, specifically polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Walk into any hunting shop and that’s the hard, glassy stuff on the shelf—bright, sometimes wild colors. It’s tough, gives a clear, consistent sound, and stands up well to abuse in the field. PMMA resin doesn’t just offer strength; its structure lets sound waves ring clean and true, which explains the unmistakable punch you hear from a solid acrylic call.
There’s something to be said for consistency. Wood and other materials pick up moisture and change shape over time. Cast acrylic doesn’t swell up in your blind bag or shrink after drying by the wood stove. It handles temperature swings and humidity without flinching. This consistency gives call makers peace of mind and hunters the sort of reliability that matters in muddy or freezing conditions.
Besides that, the acrylic resin for duck calls often starts in rod or tube form, poured and hardened in molds before being cut and turned on a lathe. The pores are tight, so the resin finishes up polished and smooth. Unlike injection-molded plastic, cast acrylic doesn’t get the little bubbles or weak spots that make a call go dull or crack along a seam. That polish and density feel good in the hand, and the difference shows up in the price, too. A true cast acrylic duck call doesn’t come cheap, but you get what you pay for.
You’ll see some cheaper calls made from injection-molded polycarbonate or ABS—both plastics, but different from cast acrylic. Polycarbonate works for entry-level calls and youth models. It’s decent in a pinch but never gets that sharp bite across a marsh. Cast acrylic, by contrast, holds up season after season. It’s not just about noise; acrylic calls feel satisfying and are easier to clean up after a long weekend hunting.
Every hunter I know grumbles about waste, even if duck calls don’t pile up like shotgun shells. Manufacturing acrylic does draw on petroleum, and cast-off ends or dust from turning a call wind up in the trash. Some smaller shops have started collecting resin scraps to send off for recycling or repurposing. There’s a small but growing circle of callmakers exploring ways to use more sustainable resins or build hybrid calls that combine acrylic with renewable materials.
As the industry presses forward, it makes sense for companies—and the rest of us who care about the landscape—to keep asking hard questions about sourcing and disposal. The blend of reliable materials and respect for nature’s limits can help the future of duck calling stay strong without putting more strain on what we love.
