My name is Tom Padden, and I’m the founder of Longleaf Duck Calls.
Longleaf began in my backyard in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a simple premise: to make quality hunting products here in America. Duck calls were the natural place to start. I’ve built duck calls for more than a decade, including three years professionally under another brand. After all that time, I’m still chasing the sound of a mallard hen.
I’ll never claim to be the best duck caller, call maker, or hunter in the world. What I can promise is that every call leaving our shop has been built by hand from quality materials and made to sound as good as we know how to make it.
My goal with Longleaf goes beyond making money. I have a very specific dream, and I believe the outdoor industry is one of the few places where it might still be possible. Starting with duck calls, I want to build a company that manufactures hunting products in the United States.
Waterfowl hunting has seen the rise of premium brands selling increasingly expensive products, many of them manufactured overseas. There is nothing inherently wrong with those products. I use many of them myself. But I believe that when customers are willing to invest heavily in their hunting gear, companies should explore what can be built here at home instead of treating margin as the only measure of success.
That may be a naive approach to business, but I’m willing to stake my own time, money, and reputation on it anyway.
Right now, we are starting small. Our lineup is duck calls and merch. But check back in a few years and I think you’ll be surprised by the progress we have made. An idea is crazy right up until someone crazy enough decides to do it anyway.
Longleaf is still at the beginning, and I’m glad you’re here for it. If you’re ever in the Raleigh area and would like to stop by the shop, send us a message on social media or email me at tom@longleafduckcalls.com. Feedback, ideas, and honest criticism are always welcome.