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About Our CompanyAbout The Owner My name is Gene Carter and I'm the owner of Sutter Basin Duck Calls. I was born in Yuba City, California in 1957 and have lived here for all but 3 years of my life. My father and my grandfather were born and raised around the Yuba City area as were both of my sons. My family roots and love for this area both run deep.
Duck hunting, like rice farming, is an important aspect of life in Yuba City. My interest in duck hunting began at the early age of 10. My first real duck hunt took place on the "Roberts' Rooster Club", a rice farm and hunting club owned by a friend's family. The club was located in the Sutter Basin just west of Yuba City. I continue to hunt ducks on this very same property today. The Sutter Basin is located in northern California's great central valley about 60 miles above Sacramento at the base of the Sutter Buttes. The Sutter Buttes are about 10 miles across from north to south and east to west, and are the smallest mountain range in the world rising about 2,000 feet above the valley floor. The Sutter Basin, incorporating the world famous Butte Sink, is a natural drain and historic wetland that plays host to millions of migratory waterfowl each fall and winter. The Sutter Basin and Buttes have served as a background for many famous wildlife artists. Over the years, I have had the privilege of hunting ducks all over California and at some very exclusive duck clubs. But, for me there is something very special about sitting in my own duck blind with hot cup of coffee and good friends, early on a misty, cold, winter morning with the Sutter Buttes as a backdrop. This is something that I definitely don't take for granted. When I hit my early 20's, I got really interested in duck calling. I don't recall exactly how this happened, but I eventually connected with a local gentleman who offered to teach me how to call ducks. After a few weeks of lessons, I was hooked on duck calling. In the ensuing years I collected and used calls from various manufactures and call makers. For several years I took a special interest in the old Olt D-2 hard rubber calls and put together a small collection that I still enjoy today. I took every opportunity to talk with many of the makers of the calls I owned. This helped me learn the "how's and why's" behind the calls they were making. Without realizing it, I was building a working knowledge of duck call design. As might be expected, I began developing a few of my own ideas about what a really great duck call needed. These were design elements that I hoped to someday see incorporated into a duck call. About 5 years ago I took the plunge, bought a few tools, and began making duck calls in my own shop. Through ongoing research and study, and even more trial and error, I grew my call design and craft skills and began turning out some very fine duck calls. About 2 years later I reached a point where I had standard designs for both long and short barrel models. I started Sutter Basin Duck Calls at that time and began selling a limited number of duck calls on a local basis both directly and through retail shops. This website represents the next chapter in the Sutter Basin Duck Call story by providing opportunities for a wider audience of duck hunting enthusiasts to own and enjoy a high quality Sutter Basin Duck Call. For me, crafting pro-grade duck calls is a passion and running Sutter Basin Duck Calls is a dream come true. I love being a duck hunter / craftsman and having the good fortune of sharing my calls with like minded duck hunters. I hope you too find pleasure in owning and using a Sutter Basin Duck Call!! |
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