Capital Waterfowling

[wyeduck]

You forget too easily what life is like once you catch the water fowling bug. You also forget the booming 70s when guys stood shoulder to shoulder in our marshes....more importantly you forget the steep decline in the 80/90s.....which has never rebounded! Canada needs more entrepreneurs in the waterfowling world.... We are decades behind our southern counter parts....unless you want to continue to import your quack decoys or mud motors, I suggest you encourage new waterfowl business in canada. That will only lead to new Canadian made products....or at least more reasonably priced imports...if you think an ottawa sens defence man decided that he would be better off investing in a new waterfowl call to make his millions....Give your head a ing shake. He, as with the others, likes ducks. The end.

[brent]

I think the numbers of waterfowlers are holding their own. Sure, not the numbers of the 60-70s but doing pretty good.

But regardless of how much it grows, it will never grow enough to see any kind of major waterfowl product manufacturer set up shop in Canada. Cost of material, labour, transportation is just too much and there will never be enough waterfowlers in Canada to solely support such thing.

But let's be serious, the amount of migratory birds shot in Canada compared to the US is minimal at best.

[Quigy]

What major waterfowl companies manufacture most of their product in the US? And why couldn't a Canadian company make an impact in the waterfowling world?

[bardern]

there are no where near enough duck and goose hunters in Canada to enable a solely waterfowl based comapny to be viable on any type of scale et la Drake, GK, GHG or Zink. I am not saying a Canadian startup could not be successful only you would have to have a standout product that would sell in the States. Which means a lot of startup money (or investors) marketing, promotions and a product that people want to buy.

[GBuck]

What major waterfowl companies manufacture most of their product in the US? And why couldn't a Canadian company make an impact in the waterfowling world?

very few. DSD and Real Geese are the only ones I know of.

I believe that a Canadian company would face an uphill battle due to (a) a much smaller market (and significantly different market characteristics), (b) punitive tax regimes compared to many other jurisdictions, (c) high costs of shipping compared to the US, and (d) higher costs of production - e.g. labour.


Is it possible to create a Canadian version of DSD? Yes. But the probability seems quite low.

[Dead Ringer]

G&H is also US made. And dam fine products I might add.

As for this whole thread, it just points at how ridiculous the whole waterfowling market has become. In recent years, there have been so many start-up call companies. I have respect for someone who is hand-making a call and can't say that I've taken time to do it myself. But what really separates these dozens (if not nearing 3 digits) worth of call companies? For most, they are the same thing. It's not like any of these companies are engineering better sounds with science or extensive testing. They are turning barrels, installing inserts and saying "that sounds good". But you'll have guys going on and on about how their call is so great.

After last season, I finally own my first custom call. But it was a gift and I chose that one to support a friend in his startup. Not because I thought it would get me more birds.

[CocoZoo]

I think the numbers of waterfowlers are holding their own. Sure, not the numbers of the 60-70s but doing pretty good.

But regardless of how much it grows, it will never grow enough to see any kind of major waterfowl product manufacturer set up shop in Canada. Cost of material, labour, transportation is just too much and there will never be enough waterfowlers in Canada to solely support such thing.

But let's be serious, the amount of migratory birds shot in Canada compared to the US is minimal at best.

Agreed. And more is not always better. Canada pop is around 35 mil or so. U.S. Approaching 400 mil if not past that already. And hunting in the U.S. ain't cheap in most cases for access to good hunting, Americans pay big bucks to hunt, because they can (Economic differences.... Too long and boring to get into). Not to say there aren't Canadians who will spend the bucks, but I believe the % per capita with the time and disposable income to do so is much less. Just a hunch of mine.

Dwindling access to hunting areas is probably the most negative impact we face IMO. That and the forever onslaught of Liberalism (I blame Liberals whenever possible, it's usually a good failsafe). A way of life that hates guns and self generated thought.






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[Quigy]

Making a duck or goose call from scratch ain't easy, and I can respect anyone that puts in the effort to make their own. That said, my sense is that most of these start ups are punching numbers into a cad machine and coming up with identical dimensions (or eerily similar to an existing call's dimensions). I guess I have some custom calls, though I can't say I think any of them are better than the higher end big brand names. I suppose any start up faces significant challenges and competing with the big companies wouldn't be easy for anyone, whether they are Canadian or not.

Still, some calls companies have come to prominence in recent years. Zink, for example, is relatively new, and they look like they are doing fine. I guess ultimately, I think if you make a great product it can sell, but being a world champion carver or caller will may be the only way to facilitate that. That said, if a Canadian lad wins the worlds in either duck or goose, I'd bet he could sell a few calls. That's how most of the big ones got on the map -- win with someone else's...make your own...win with it.

As for Capital, anyone try the calls yet?

[bardern]

As for Capital, anyone try the calls yet?

I have, they run pretty well.

[heronk]

I doubt that a Canadian company could be successful without making a lot of sales in the US. The Canadian market is just too small and widely dispersed. And unfortunately, "Made in Canada" is not the selling point that "Made in USA" is in the States.