How to Run a Short Reed Goose Call
If you’ve ever stood in a goose spread wondering if your calling is helping or hurting, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions we hear at shows and seminars is: How do I blow a short reed Canada goose call?
In Slayer’s newest YouTube video, Eric Strand breaks it all down in Goose Calling 101 — the fundamentals every hunter needs to run a short reed call with confidence. Whether you’re brand-new to waterfowling or a seasoned caller looking to fine-tune your technique, this tutorial is your starting point.
What You’ll Learn in Goose Calling 101
Eric doesn’t just tell you what to do — he shows you step by step. In this video, you’ll learn:
- The parts of a goose call and how they work
- Proper air presentation and hand placement
- The three building blocks of goose vocabulary
- Tips for practicing and building muscle memory
- Field vs. stage use
Why Start with the Honk, Cluck & Moan?
Eric calls these three sounds the “building blocks” of goose calling. Learn them right, and you’ll be able to run everything from rolling clucks to double clucks and buzz clucks. He even demonstrates how the moan — his go-to in the field — can be one of the deadliest sounds for finishing geese.
The video walks through slow, simple progressions so you can crawl before you walk, walk before you jog, and jog before you run. By the end, you’ll hear how putting just a few sounds together starts to replicate a whole flock talking in the field.
The Goose Call Behind the Video
For this tutorial, Eric runs the Slayer Leg Iron Honker, a short reed designed to be forgiving for beginners but versatile enough for advanced callers. Easy air presentation, big goosey tone, and built right here in the USA — the Leg Iron gives you the tools to sound like a flock without wearing yourself out.
Check out Slayer’s full line up of goose calls.
Watch the Full Video
If you’re ready to take your goose calling to the next level, don’t miss this full breakdown with Eric Strand.
Watch Goose Calling 101 on YouTube: Goose Calling 101 with Eric Strand – Slayer Calls
And if you want quick, bite-sized goose lessons on your phone, subscribe to our Call the Wild Goose Series for more pro-level tips from Slayer's Tommy Sessions.
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