Clyde Hancock—The Blueprint for a Duck Call Legacy

In the heart of Stuttgart, Arkansas, where flooded timber and rice fields have shaped generations of waterfowl hunters, Clyde Hancock carved out his place in history—not just as a champion caller and guide, but as one of the most influential duck call makers the Grand Prairie has ever known.

Early Roots and Humble Beginnings

Born on March 23, 1901, Clyde Hancock grew up in Stuttgart long before the town was crowned the “Duck Hunting Capital of the World.” Like many in the region, his early years were spent close to the land and its seasons. By the 1920s, Hancock had already established himself as a skilled hunter and caller. It wasn’t long before he turned his attention to crafting duck calls, an art that would leave an indelible mark on Arkansas waterfowling.

When he wasn’t carving toneboards or shaping barrels, Hancock worked as a delivery driver for the Standard Ice Company. But once the duck season arrived, he was guiding hunters in the flooded green timber. During the 1940s, Clyde guided at the legendary Wingmead Farms alongside Jess Wilson and Carl Geisler for conservationist and businessman Edgar Queeny. It was a post reserved for the best in the business—and Hancock was just that.

Champion of Champions

Hancock’s skills weren’t confined to the duck blind. In 1943, he stepped onto the stage at the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest and “literally blew his own horn,” according to the Stuttgart Daily Leader. Clyde took home the title, adding "World Champion" to his growing reputation. Some reports also credit him with winning the title again in 1948, though the 1943 championship is his most documented victory.

Master Craftsman of the Stuttgart Style

Clyde Hancock’s duck calls are now some of the most sought-after artifacts from the early days of modern call making. Unlike their northern cousins in the St. Francis River region—who preferred large, checkered calls—Hancock’s calls were smaller, sleeker, and defined by a more understated design. He typically worked with cedar, walnut, and bois d’arc woods, though cedar was a favorite for inserts due to its tonal qualities.

What set Clyde apart was not only his craftsmanship but also his method. It’s believed that he didn’t use a jig to shape his toneboards. Instead, he would clamp the insert in a vice and hand-finish the radius of each toneboard, resulting in unique markings on many of his calls. No two were exactly alike, and each carried the unmistakable touch of a craftsman working by feel rather than by template.

One signature feature of a Hancock call is the series of burn rings. Typically, he would burn three rings immediately above and below the lanyard groove on the barrel, with additional rings near the mouthpiece and insert. Yet, these markings varied from call to call. Clyde wasn’t rigid in his methods—each piece was a functional work of art, meant to call ducks, not sit on a shelf.

The Elusive Checkered Calls

While most Hancock calls were smooth-bodied, there are rare examples where he added checkering. These are some of the most collectible duck calls today. What makes them stand out isn’t just their rarity but also Clyde’s unique approach to the checkering. He would often run the pattern straight through the lanyard groove—an unusual decision that gave his calls an instantly recognizable look. Occasionally, he even applied his red and gold label over the checkering, further adding to their mystique.

The Hancock Label and Collectability

Clyde’s calls bore a red-bordered, gold water transfer decal with black writing. It announced him as the 1943 World Champion and included his name and address. These labels were fragile and prone to flaking, making fully intact examples a collector’s dream. They are a window into the mid-century call making scene in Arkansas, where craftsmanship and competition went hand in hand.

The Uncle of Rich-N-Tone

Clyde’s legacy extends far beyond the calls that bear his name. He was the uncle of Butch Richenback, the founder of Rich-N-Tone Duck Calls. Butch often spoke of how Clyde influenced his early designs and philosophies on call making. In many ways, the RNT calls that echo through the woods today carry DNA traced directly back to Clyde Hancock’s workshop.

A Lasting Impact on Call Making

Hancock’s style became the blueprint for what many now recognize as the classic Stuttgart call. His emphasis on function, simplicity, and a clean, rich tone set the standard that later generations would follow. Other area call makers copied his designs over the years—sometimes so closely that distinguishing them from true Hancock calls requires an expert’s eye.

Despite passing away at just 59 years old in 1960, Clyde Hancock’s influence is still felt. His calls remain some of the most collectible examples of early 20th-century call-making. More importantly, his approach to design and dedication to the art of calling have inspired countless makers and hunters.

Conclusion

Today, Clyde Hancock’s legacy lives on—not just in display cases or collector auctions, but in the woods, where hunters rely on calls shaped by his vision. Whether it’s an RNT Daisy Cutter working through timber or a custom call tuned to mimic Clyde’s original toneboards, his influence continues to shape the sounds of duck hunting.

For anyone holding a Hancock call, it’s more than wood and label—it’s a piece of history, crafted by a man who helped define the Stuttgart sound and laid the foundation for generations of call makers who followed.