Calling and Rattling

  • eyebuster
    Duluth
    Posts: 1025
    #198899

    Does anyone hear rattle or grunt? I have tried using a grunt last year without any luck. When I see them do it on T.V. I just think that it is because they are on a game farm or an area that has little pressure.

    bigshoots30
    Sartell, MN
    Posts: 317
    #19304

    I rattle and grunt with great success. You have to play around with it and know how to grunt for what phases of the rut the bucks are in. If they aren’t in rut then you should do a light grunt and no rattling. If the bucks are rutting, use a fairly deep grunt and also rattle. When grunting, only grunt like – grunt, grunt, grrrruunt. Only grunt about every 10 – 15 minutes and rattle along with your grunting. And of course keep your eyes and ears open at all times! You may want to buy one of the lates Monster bucks videos at your local sporting goods store. Not only do they have some grunting on them, they get the blood flowin’ for the hunting season!!
    Hope this helps a little!

    bigshoots30
    Sartell, MN
    Posts: 317
    #469632

    I rattle and grunt with great success. You have to play around with it and know how to grunt for what phases of the rut the bucks are in. If they aren’t in rut then you should do a light grunt and no rattling. If the bucks are rutting, use a fairly deep grunt and also rattle. When grunting, only grunt like – grunt, grunt, grrrruunt. Only grunt about every 10 – 15 minutes and rattle along with your grunting. And of course keep your eyes and ears open at all times! You may want to buy one of the lates Monster bucks videos at your local sporting goods store. Not only do they have some grunting on them, they get the blood flowin’ for the hunting season!!
    Hope this helps a little!

    birddog
    Mn.
    Posts: 1957
    #19305

    I rattle, grunt and use a bleat can on occasion. Pulled in 3 does and 2 young(spike) bucks grunting last year. I pulled in a 140″?? buck rattling, he came in hard and fast and didn’t slow down, he wanted to kick some rear! I could here him coming from a LONG ways off! I was on the ground and only got a crack shot off, as soon as I pulled the trigger I knew it was just over his back, he was gone in a flash! He should still be around as that was late season, looking forward to round 2. The next stop 1/2 mile up the trail I pulled in a doe rattling. I have much better luck rattling off the ground as I’m able to bust some brush while clashing the horns. I enjoy using calls and rattling, it tends to break up the season for me. I spend the duration of the rifle season at camp, after several all day stand sessions I need to do something different. My most memorable hunts have happened while calling/rattling.

    BIRDDOG

    birddog
    Mn.
    Posts: 1957
    #469633

    I rattle, grunt and use a bleat can on occasion. Pulled in 3 does and 2 young(spike) bucks grunting last year. I pulled in a 140″?? buck rattling, he came in hard and fast and didn’t slow down, he wanted to kick some rear! I could here him coming from a LONG ways off! I was on the ground and only got a crack shot off, as soon as I pulled the trigger I knew it was just over his back, he was gone in a flash! He should still be around as that was late season, looking forward to round 2. The next stop 1/2 mile up the trail I pulled in a doe rattling. I have much better luck rattling off the ground as I’m able to bust some brush while clashing the horns. I enjoy using calls and rattling, it tends to break up the season for me. I spend the duration of the rifle season at camp, after several all day stand sessions I need to do something different. My most memorable hunts have happened while calling/rattling.

    BIRDDOG

    fishman1
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Posts: 1030
    #19314

    I love rattling. If done at the right time of the season rattling can be a very effective way to bring bucks in. I have rattled as many as 4 different bucks into my stand in a single day. I have found that rattling works best in the late pre-rut to early rut which around here is in the last week of October into the first week of November. I always take a week off right around Halloween just to bow hunt. You have to be on yout toes when rattling as the bucks can come in real fast. You wonder sometimes how they know exacly where the rattling came from because they almost always come right into your stand.

    I also use a grunt tube but mostly to bring bucks in that I have already seen. Sometimes you can grunt them into a shooting lane or to within bow range. Several years ago I got 3 shots at the same buck using a grunt tube. I missed on my first shot and the buck ran about 30 yards. I grunted him back into bow range only to hit a branch on my second shot at which time he ran out of range. I continued grunting and managed to get him back to within 30 yards where my 3rd shot found his vitals. I have found that rattling is much more productive at bringing bucks into my stand than grunting is as the sound from rattling carries ten times as far as the sound from a grunt tube. Timing is key for rattling. Too-early in the season and all you will rattle in will be yearlings. Once the rut gets going hot and heavy the bigger bucks tend to be on does and will not respond to rattling either.

    Eyehunter

    fishman1
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Posts: 1030
    #469704

    I love rattling. If done at the right time of the season rattling can be a very effective way to bring bucks in. I have rattled as many as 4 different bucks into my stand in a single day. I have found that rattling works best in the late pre-rut to early rut which around here is in the last week of October into the first week of November. I always take a week off right around Halloween just to bow hunt. You have to be on yout toes when rattling as the bucks can come in real fast. You wonder sometimes how they know exacly where the rattling came from because they almost always come right into your stand.

    I also use a grunt tube but mostly to bring bucks in that I have already seen. Sometimes you can grunt them into a shooting lane or to within bow range. Several years ago I got 3 shots at the same buck using a grunt tube. I missed on my first shot and the buck ran about 30 yards. I grunted him back into bow range only to hit a branch on my second shot at which time he ran out of range. I continued grunting and managed to get him back to within 30 yards where my 3rd shot found his vitals. I have found that rattling is much more productive at bringing bucks into my stand than grunting is as the sound from rattling carries ten times as far as the sound from a grunt tube. Timing is key for rattling. Too-early in the season and all you will rattle in will be yearlings. Once the rut gets going hot and heavy the bigger bucks tend to be on does and will not respond to rattling either.

    Eyehunter

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    #19316

    I started using a grunt tube about 6 years ago. My philsophy changed, when shotgun hunting with a buddy, he was grunting, and there was a steady stream of deer, bucks and does, going to check him out. I could see them about 65 yards away, through the under brush, couldn’t get a decent shot. Although he did shoot two nice 8 pointers that year….

    big g

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    #469714

    I started using a grunt tube about 6 years ago. My philsophy changed, when shotgun hunting with a buddy, he was grunting, and there was a steady stream of deer, bucks and does, going to check him out. I could see them about 65 yards away, through the under brush, couldn’t get a decent shot. Although he did shoot two nice 8 pointers that year….

    big g

    harlandd
    Posts: 106
    #19323

    big g where do i finf one of these miracle tubes?

    harlandd
    Posts: 106
    #469772

    big g where do i finf one of these miracle tubes?

    mike_utley
    Zumbrota, MN
    Posts: 578
    #19325

    I think rattle bags work better than fake horns. Real horns work better than a rattle bag.

    Early in the year it seems that only 1-1/2 old or maybe 2-1/2 year old bucks respond to rattling. The big boys know it’s not time to fight or don’t want to bother with the younger buck sparring.

    To be effective at attracting a shooter buck, I think you need at least a 130 class set of horns. The larger horns seem to send a better sound further through the woods. Again, I don’t think a larger buck feels threatened by two smaller class bucks sparring. The pre-rut / rut really seems to be the time when you might be able to attract a larger buck via rattling.

    Last year I read an interesting article stating that some big bucks are timid and that others don’t breed every year and simply remain nocturnal – – might be something to that as well.

    Good Luck!

    mike_utley
    Zumbrota, MN
    Posts: 578
    #469787

    I think rattle bags work better than fake horns. Real horns work better than a rattle bag.

    Early in the year it seems that only 1-1/2 old or maybe 2-1/2 year old bucks respond to rattling. The big boys know it’s not time to fight or don’t want to bother with the younger buck sparring.

    To be effective at attracting a shooter buck, I think you need at least a 130 class set of horns. The larger horns seem to send a better sound further through the woods. Again, I don’t think a larger buck feels threatened by two smaller class bucks sparring. The pre-rut / rut really seems to be the time when you might be able to attract a larger buck via rattling.

    Last year I read an interesting article stating that some big bucks are timid and that others don’t breed every year and simply remain nocturnal – – might be something to that as well.

    Good Luck!

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    #19326

    harland, let’s see, gander mountain, mills fleet, archery country, mikes archery, cabelas, bass pro, redhead catalog, sportsmans warehouse, walmart, target, scheels, if you can’t find one at one these places, I will let you blow mine !!!

    big g

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    #469828

    harland, let’s see, gander mountain, mills fleet, archery country, mikes archery, cabelas, bass pro, redhead catalog, sportsmans warehouse, walmart, target, scheels, if you can’t find one at one these places, I will let you blow mine !!!

    big g

    scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    #19327

    You guys hit it on the head. Time of year is everything. The closer it gets to the Rut (Prerut) the better your odds are of bringing one in. I do some rattling but I have best luck with a grunt call. Rattling early in the year seems to bring in small bucks.

    Once the deer get to that Chase Phase you are better off sitting tight and keeping quiet. I still use a grunt call to bring them into bow range at this time but other than that I lay pretty low when they are chasing. Playing the wind right and stand position are your best bets this time of year

    scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    #469842

    You guys hit it on the head. Time of year is everything. The closer it gets to the Rut (Prerut) the better your odds are of bringing one in. I do some rattling but I have best luck with a grunt call. Rattling early in the year seems to bring in small bucks.

    Once the deer get to that Chase Phase you are better off sitting tight and keeping quiet. I still use a grunt call to bring them into bow range at this time but other than that I lay pretty low when they are chasing. Playing the wind right and stand position are your best bets this time of year

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    #19330

    Earlier in the season til just befor befor the snow flies, the smaller bucks come to ratteling fast, sometimes too fast so be prepared. I found a decent spot one day on a flat that had a sloping hill going away from me about 20′ infront of me. I sat up quietly and started by rubbing a small 3″ tree with an antler. I grunted a few times and the whole woods lit up. I had a small 4 pointer come in so fast that was just over the edge of the hill i couldn’t reach for my bow. I sat there watching him at 15′ walking around me until he winded me and ran. As the noise cleared from him leaving i could hear another buck walking twards me at about 75 yrds but he wouldn’t come in where i could see him, probably a shooter too and cautious. My rule of thumb is the smaller deer come to ratteling earlier in the season because they don’t know any better and the big boys aren’t hot and heavy on any real receptive does yet, so i don’t think thier wound as high as the younger bucks. Come the mid to end of november and i pull them in with a set of racks then grunt them close. I have a hard time pulling anything in to bow shooting range, even tickling them, with bigger racks. After im sure theres something in the area or just curious i grunt snort wheeze, had em standing right under my stand, one walked away twice and pulled him back with grunt snort wheeze just for the heck of it, he was absolutely sure there was two bucks going at it infront of him, he tried his hardest to locate them, he just couldn’t see them. I like wrapping quite a few turns of tape around my grunt tube to take the tinny sound out of it. I reverse it, inhale from one end and blow through the other to get two diffrent sounds of two diffrent bucks. Grunt snort wheeze and by reversing the tube i get two diffrent bucks getting ready to do business. Ive also found that you don’t want to blow the limbs off the trees by calling too much, call when the time looks and feels right to you, its not natural and it dosen’t happen this way in the woods. When the bucks are moving about every 1/2 hr is good for me unless i think the time is right. It works! Later in november and all through december is my favorite time to hunt the big heavyweights that are smart, i don’t overkill anything that i shouldn’t. I like to let the bigger boys get thier noses to the ground a few times on a hot doe and lose them befor i use doe in heat urine, after a few good cold spells and a couple small snows to wet the ground down. By this time thier really looking hard to go with the does and are half blind. I use cover scent on every trip. Buy a tape of a good caller that can use one and tune your tube to the tape as it plays in your frontroom. Ya have to buy a grunt tube!

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    #469879

    Earlier in the season til just befor befor the snow flies, the smaller bucks come to ratteling fast, sometimes too fast so be prepared. I found a decent spot one day on a flat that had a sloping hill going away from me about 20′ infront of me. I sat up quietly and started by rubbing a small 3″ tree with an antler. I grunted a few times and the whole woods lit up. I had a small 4 pointer come in so fast that was just over the edge of the hill i couldn’t reach for my bow. I sat there watching him at 15′ walking around me until he winded me and ran. As the noise cleared from him leaving i could hear another buck walking twards me at about 75 yrds but he wouldn’t come in where i could see him, probably a shooter too and cautious. My rule of thumb is the smaller deer come to ratteling earlier in the season because they don’t know any better and the big boys aren’t hot and heavy on any real receptive does yet, so i don’t think thier wound as high as the younger bucks. Come the mid to end of november and i pull them in with a set of racks then grunt them close. I have a hard time pulling anything in to bow shooting range, even tickling them, with bigger racks. After im sure theres something in the area or just curious i grunt snort wheeze, had em standing right under my stand, one walked away twice and pulled him back with grunt snort wheeze just for the heck of it, he was absolutely sure there was two bucks going at it infront of him, he tried his hardest to locate them, he just couldn’t see them. I like wrapping quite a few turns of tape around my grunt tube to take the tinny sound out of it. I reverse it, inhale from one end and blow through the other to get two diffrent sounds of two diffrent bucks. Grunt snort wheeze and by reversing the tube i get two diffrent bucks getting ready to do business. Ive also found that you don’t want to blow the limbs off the trees by calling too much, call when the time looks and feels right to you, its not natural and it dosen’t happen this way in the woods. When the bucks are moving about every 1/2 hr is good for me unless i think the time is right. It works! Later in november and all through december is my favorite time to hunt the big heavyweights that are smart, i don’t overkill anything that i shouldn’t. I like to let the bigger boys get thier noses to the ground a few times on a hot doe and lose them befor i use doe in heat urine, after a few good cold spells and a couple small snows to wet the ground down. By this time thier really looking hard to go with the does and are half blind. I use cover scent on every trip. Buy a tape of a good caller that can use one and tune your tube to the tape as it plays in your frontroom. Ya have to buy a grunt tube!

    muskyman
    Arkansaw, Wisconsin
    Posts: 945
    #19336

    Eyebuster, Another thing to remember if you do rattle or grunt one in, is to never grunt at a deer that is facing your direction or even has an ear turned your way. You want them to know an area that the sound is coming from. If a deer is already tuned into your direction they can and will pinpoint an exact location and that will be bad news, esspecially if he’s a veteran of the woods. If they hear something but see nothing (another buck) you can bet your sweet he going to go to his #1 line of defense and circle around you and get downwind. Another neat trick a guy I know showed me is take a 2′ piece of 2×4 drill a hole in one end and tie a small piece of camo rope onto it and by picking it up and down from your tree stand you can simulate a deer walking in the woods.

    muskyman
    Arkansaw, Wisconsin
    Posts: 945
    #469899

    Eyebuster, Another thing to remember if you do rattle or grunt one in, is to never grunt at a deer that is facing your direction or even has an ear turned your way. You want them to know an area that the sound is coming from. If a deer is already tuned into your direction they can and will pinpoint an exact location and that will be bad news, esspecially if he’s a veteran of the woods. If they hear something but see nothing (another buck) you can bet your sweet he going to go to his #1 line of defense and circle around you and get downwind. Another neat trick a guy I know showed me is take a 2′ piece of 2×4 drill a hole in one end and tie a small piece of camo rope onto it and by picking it up and down from your tree stand you can simulate a deer walking in the woods.

    eyebuster
    Duluth
    Posts: 1025
    #19338

    Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Will have to get my rattling and calling down before fall.

    After reading these post of how deer came to your calls and rattles I really need to get in my stand.

    Only a month to go guys

    eyebuster
    Duluth
    Posts: 1025
    #469910

    Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Will have to get my rattling and calling down before fall.

    After reading these post of how deer came to your calls and rattles I really need to get in my stand.

    Only a month to go guys

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    #19339

    Ok, there is a lot of good tips here on what and how to do it. There were a few statements that really caught my eye, for I often think things are overlooked. One being, as someone stated earlier that not all Bucks are aggressive towards other bucks. I have found this to be so true with certain bucks. I think deer are often like Humans more than we think. They are not all coming out of the bar at closing time looking for fights. There are many in my opinion that will go out of there way to stay out of fights or confrotnattions for various reasons. For one, they might of just got their butts whooped by another deer. They may be big enough to shoot, but they just got their butts handed to them earlier that day or week by Mr. Booner. So they are wise to a bigger buck in the area and will steer clear of confrontations. Or perhaps, I think some bucks rather steer clear of fighting because it is their personality or they rather put their energy to good use by searching for does instead of fighting. Either way, I have found many times where bucks want nothing to do with horns or grunting and have seen more than my fair share walk the other way once they hear it. I’m not saying all bucks, but just like people, each buck will react differently when confronted in those types of situations. So like Scott said, depending on time of year, stand location, my feeling in the woods (what has happened the prior few days when calling), etc. I may just choose to stay low and quiet. Or if I see a buck that does interests me, I usually start off with a sound that is not so intimidating, a soft doe bleat or estrous bleat. See how they react to that first, then increase intensity in both sound and call. If that does not work or grab their attention, I may go with a louder estrous bleat or even a soft tending grunt. Then build that up with volume. If I still do not have his attention, I may give him a dominant buck snort/wheeze or pick up my frequency of the estrous bleat and tending grunt. I do this because I really believe some bucks are afraid/not in their personality even during the rut to get into a confrontation. That way I do not scare or intimidate him right off the bat with a deep hard grunt or bashign of horns.

    On the other hand I love to rattle when the conditions are right. Rattling can be done from opening day of bow season and be effective in my opinion, all the way until end of season. It all depending on the land and situation. If I do rattle early season and it is not often, I rattle by just tickling the antlers/bag together in a real light session. Early season bucks are not as aware they are being hunted yet and are still in there Summer feeding patterns and often still in their Bachelor groups. Deer are curious by nature and will often come to light ratlting not to fisht but just to check it out and watch. I can still remember the day vividly that I had a group of 5 bucks out in front of me in September in a field. A couple smaller bucks were out with and tweener about 20-35 yards and a nice low 130’s shooter was about 40 yards out. Two of the smaller bucks (5 and 6 pointer) were lightly sparring fro 5-10 minutes. I then watched the tweener snapped his head right at me as I was on the ground. I wa slike I did not move???? I then heard footsteps in the woods behind me. They were coming my way from my back and circled around me. A deer came into the field about 20 yards down from me as I kneeled quietly on the ground just off the edge of the field in a make shift ground blind. I instantly saw this 150 class 5×5 standing there but I had no shot. He watched those 2 young bucks play and spar, until he had enough and let out a loud snort that sent goose bumps through out my body and mad my hair on my neck stand up. All 5 of those bucks heads came toattention and looked at the big boy as he demended respect from that group of bachelors. He started to come out into the field towards the small bucks. I tried to come to full draw but every time I moved someone picked me out. Mr. Big was onto me some what, but darted and broke up the little two bucks. They all just stood out there 30-40 yards feeding. Every time I tried to move for a shot I got busted. Never got a shot off on that buck, but I know from that experience and others “light” rattling in the early season does work. As the season progresses and it gets closer to November increase the intensity of the rattling. Remember rattling is way more effective when the time is right but also you need a good balance of your buck to doe ratio. High doe ratio means less competition for the bucks. It is a great Pre-Rut/Chasing phase call, but once the majority of the does come into estrous and the Bucks go into lock down mode, I like Scott, like to lay low and reamn fairly quiet withperhaps jsut a little estrous bleating and tending grunts.

    When calling like someone mentioned, earlier be careful. If I turn a buck in my direction from what ever type of calling, that is it, I’m done calling. They are very good at pinpointing the source. Once I have a buck interested, I will not call again, until I think he has given up on me. My brother Rich lost out on an opportunity on a awesome buck, for calling after he already had that buck committed and coming in. He called one last time and boom that buck pegged him out of the tree. Why call, if he is already coming in????

    I have been bow hunting for almost 9 years now and each of the 5 sets of antlers I have on my wall either came directly from grunting, using an estrous call, having a decoy live or fake, or a combination of the before mentioned. I have rattled in many bucks, big and small. I have even had some unbelievable encounters rattling in some absolute monsters, but just never got a chance to close the deal on them. Does calling deer work?? In my opinion, You bet , but like fishing, you need to pay attention to how the little details of how they are responding and let them tell you how or when to call. Certain calls work better in certain situations then others and you must keep an open mind and be able to think outside the box once in awhile.

    This is another one of those LEGENDARY IDA THREADS! Keep the opinions coming boys!

    Only 16 more days until ND

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    #469919

    Ok, there is a lot of good tips here on what and how to do it. There were a few statements that really caught my eye, for I often think things are overlooked. One being, as someone stated earlier that not all Bucks are aggressive towards other bucks. I have found this to be so true with certain bucks. I think deer are often like Humans more than we think. They are not all coming out of the bar at closing time looking for fights. There are many in my opinion that will go out of there way to stay out of fights or confrotnattions for various reasons. For one, they might of just got their butts whooped by another deer. They may be big enough to shoot, but they just got their butts handed to them earlier that day or week by Mr. Booner. So they are wise to a bigger buck in the area and will steer clear of confrontations. Or perhaps, I think some bucks rather steer clear of fighting because it is their personality or they rather put their energy to good use by searching for does instead of fighting. Either way, I have found many times where bucks want nothing to do with horns or grunting and have seen more than my fair share walk the other way once they hear it. I’m not saying all bucks, but just like people, each buck will react differently when confronted in those types of situations. So like Scott said, depending on time of year, stand location, my feeling in the woods (what has happened the prior few days when calling), etc. I may just choose to stay low and quiet. Or if I see a buck that does interests me, I usually start off with a sound that is not so intimidating, a soft doe bleat or estrous bleat. See how they react to that first, then increase intensity in both sound and call. If that does not work or grab their attention, I may go with a louder estrous bleat or even a soft tending grunt. Then build that up with volume. If I still do not have his attention, I may give him a dominant buck snort/wheeze or pick up my frequency of the estrous bleat and tending grunt. I do this because I really believe some bucks are afraid/not in their personality even during the rut to get into a confrontation. That way I do not scare or intimidate him right off the bat with a deep hard grunt or bashign of horns.

    On the other hand I love to rattle when the conditions are right. Rattling can be done from opening day of bow season and be effective in my opinion, all the way until end of season. It all depending on the land and situation. If I do rattle early season and it is not often, I rattle by just tickling the antlers/bag together in a real light session. Early season bucks are not as aware they are being hunted yet and are still in there Summer feeding patterns and often still in their Bachelor groups. Deer are curious by nature and will often come to light ratlting not to fisht but just to check it out and watch. I can still remember the day vividly that I had a group of 5 bucks out in front of me in September in a field. A couple smaller bucks were out with and tweener about 20-35 yards and a nice low 130’s shooter was about 40 yards out. Two of the smaller bucks (5 and 6 pointer) were lightly sparring fro 5-10 minutes. I then watched the tweener snapped his head right at me as I was on the ground. I wa slike I did not move???? I then heard footsteps in the woods behind me. They were coming my way from my back and circled around me. A deer came into the field about 20 yards down from me as I kneeled quietly on the ground just off the edge of the field in a make shift ground blind. I instantly saw this 150 class 5×5 standing there but I had no shot. He watched those 2 young bucks play and spar, until he had enough and let out a loud snort that sent goose bumps through out my body and mad my hair on my neck stand up. All 5 of those bucks heads came toattention and looked at the big boy as he demended respect from that group of bachelors. He started to come out into the field towards the small bucks. I tried to come to full draw but every time I moved someone picked me out. Mr. Big was onto me some what, but darted and broke up the little two bucks. They all just stood out there 30-40 yards feeding. Every time I tried to move for a shot I got busted. Never got a shot off on that buck, but I know from that experience and others “light” rattling in the early season does work. As the season progresses and it gets closer to November increase the intensity of the rattling. Remember rattling is way more effective when the time is right but also you need a good balance of your buck to doe ratio. High doe ratio means less competition for the bucks. It is a great Pre-Rut/Chasing phase call, but once the majority of the does come into estrous and the Bucks go into lock down mode, I like Scott, like to lay low and reamn fairly quiet withperhaps jsut a little estrous bleating and tending grunts.

    When calling like someone mentioned, earlier be careful. If I turn a buck in my direction from what ever type of calling, that is it, I’m done calling. They are very good at pinpointing the source. Once I have a buck interested, I will not call again, until I think he has given up on me. My brother Rich lost out on an opportunity on a awesome buck, for calling after he already had that buck committed and coming in. He called one last time and boom that buck pegged him out of the tree. Why call, if he is already coming in????

    I have been bow hunting for almost 9 years now and each of the 5 sets of antlers I have on my wall either came directly from grunting, using an estrous call, having a decoy live or fake, or a combination of the before mentioned. I have rattled in many bucks, big and small. I have even had some unbelievable encounters rattling in some absolute monsters, but just never got a chance to close the deal on them. Does calling deer work?? In my opinion, You bet , but like fishing, you need to pay attention to how the little details of how they are responding and let them tell you how or when to call. Certain calls work better in certain situations then others and you must keep an open mind and be able to think outside the box once in awhile.

    This is another one of those LEGENDARY IDA THREADS! Keep the opinions coming boys!

    Only 16 more days until ND

    muskyman
    Arkansaw, Wisconsin
    Posts: 945
    #19342

    I can’t believe it took Lip almost 19 hours to find this thread!!

    muskyman
    Arkansaw, Wisconsin
    Posts: 945
    #469932

    I can’t believe it took Lip almost 19 hours to find this thread!!

    tony_p
    Waterloo, IA
    Posts: 1792
    #19347

    I agree with alot of stuff said here.I also think time of year plays a big role.I have my best luck rattling the last two weeks of October,it just seems to work for me.During the chase phase I sit low, but yet I will use the estrous blet and young buck grunt.For a grunt call I use a True Talker made by Hunter Specialties, I love the call.Rember what works for one may not work for the other guy.When the bucks are in pure rut which I call the breeding phase I also like to bang the horns together and grunt like a dominate buck.Snort and wheeze that time of year also. During the rut for stand places I try and hunt ffence lines and ridge tops also watering holes for a mature buck thats rutting hard he will come to water soometime.

    tony_p
    Waterloo, IA
    Posts: 1792
    #469968

    I agree with alot of stuff said here.I also think time of year plays a big role.I have my best luck rattling the last two weeks of October,it just seems to work for me.During the chase phase I sit low, but yet I will use the estrous blet and young buck grunt.For a grunt call I use a True Talker made by Hunter Specialties, I love the call.Rember what works for one may not work for the other guy.When the bucks are in pure rut which I call the breeding phase I also like to bang the horns together and grunt like a dominate buck.Snort and wheeze that time of year also. During the rut for stand places I try and hunt ffence lines and ridge tops also watering holes for a mature buck thats rutting hard he will come to water soometime.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    #19365

    Quote:


    I can’t believe it took Lip almost 19 hours to find this thread


    Nope I saw it earlier, but had no time to sit and read or write on it.

    I agree with Tony. My favorite grunt tube is also the True Talker by HS That has been the “NAIL IN THE COFFIN” for 3 of my 5 bucks taken. Much less brought in some other “BIG BOYS”. Estrous call is the Primos can. I have a few rattling bags and a Primos fake set of horns. I usually rely on one bag not sure what the name is???

    Snort Wheeze or growling has also brought some exciting times around my stand.

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