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Should You Call Louder or Softer in Strong Winds?

April 5, 2026

Quick Answer

In strong winds, you should call louder to cut through the noise and increase the chances of your call being heard by your target.

Understanding Wind Noise

Strong winds can significantly affect the way your calls carry, making it challenging to communicate with your target. When wind speed exceeds 20 mph, it can create a significant amount of noise that can overpower your calls. This is because wind noise is typically louder than human voices, making it essential to adapt your calling strategy.

Adjusting Your Volume

To effectively call in strong winds, you should increase your volume by at least 10 decibels. This means speaking or making sounds louder than you normally would. For example, if you’re using a mouth call, you can try holding it closer to your mouth or increasing the air pressure behind the call to produce a louder sound. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a calling volume of around 90 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound of a lawnmower or a vacuum cleaner.

Maintaining Control

When calling in strong winds, it’s essential to maintain control over your voice and the volume. This can be challenging, especially when the wind is gusty or unpredictable. To compensate, try using a wind-shielded calling position, such as behind a tree or a rock, to reduce the impact of wind noise. Additionally, focus on using precise and deliberate calling techniques, such as short, sharp notes or slow, drawn-out sounds, to help your calls cut through the background noise.

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