Thinking about trying a little bit or rattling tomorrow. Got some little bucks chasing does so I thought I might as well try. Never really tried much before but that's gonna change this year. What about you guys?
I never rattle... so For me it would be way to early... Just not effective around here... Your area may be different.
I usually don't ratte until the last week of October. It's too early around here for the big boys to respond.
Never tried it till this season. I bought a rattle bag just to see if it worked. I was told the deer won't respond to it where I hunt. Not true! 1st time I used it was about two weeks ago. Rattled just a little not sure if I was doing it correctly. Let out two grunts and not even 2 minutes later had a young 6pt charge in thru the palmettos. Tried it again 3 days later and before I could put the bag down I had a nice buck run directly to my tree line full bore, crashed thru the thick right into my shooting lane. I was about at full draw when a second buck ran in on the same route. He stopped at the tree line grunting like crazy at the other buck. I let off on the 1st buck thinking the second one would follow him in to my lane. He was a much nicer deer by far! Well he stood there just watching that other bucks every move. He never presented me a clean shot. I should have let one rip at the 1st buck. I think there is definitly a window in the pre rut where rattling can and will be very productive.
I have many pics of bucks sparring the last few weeks and heard of a few coming to the horns. It is almost time here !
I did a light sequence yesterday morning.. It's worked this early for me before so I figured may as well try.
I have seen some lil bucks sparing and pushing the little ones off the does. But the big boys are still moving after dark! I may try some grunts and a little rattling tonight.
I tried rattling and grunting at 2 different locations after I got down from my stand this morning. At both places I had something come charging in but I never could see what either of them were because they stayed in the thick stuff. Looks like I might be trying that again
I never rattle in my woods because the buck to doe ratio isn't even close. The doe out number the bucks big time. Prolly 7-8 to one. These bucks don't need to fight for cooter. I have never seen/heard 2 bucks fighting where I hunt. rattling in my woods just spooks them. I've rattled while hunting in Alberta where the doe/buck ratio is much closer, like 2-3 to one, and had great results.
Southwest... I don't grunt very much either... I have a new place to hunt this year, it's more of a "Big woods" I just may try some grunting this year... But in previous years... nothing.
Rattling I would tickle them in stead of rattling them right now, the 1st 2 weeks of October is the magic time for rattling in a buck up here in Alberta. By far the most productive time for rattling. I have been tickling the antlers for a week already with great success. Had a good 140 5x5 last week at 20 yards but he stayed behind some willows. The does will come in too to see who the big boy is also. Never had much success with rattling bags or plastic antlers. I use the freshest set of antlers for rattling too,there more lively. I'll also use a smaller set say like a 140 set early at this time so as not to scare away bucks. I save the big antlers ,like a 160 set for the 2nd week of November and the 1st week of December. That's when the big boys come running in for war. But for these 2 weeks in October I'd be just tickling and when doing so, try doing it softly for a 5 minute sequence,with lots of lulls in it,these guys will push and rub heads when they spar early this time of the year ,so there really isin't much head banging. Give it a shot and good luck. Keep a sharp eye out while doing the long sequence too because they'll come in quietly a lot of the times. Rocky
Another tip is to soak you rattling antlers in a bucket of water for a couple of days. This will soften them up a bit and create more realism.
Yeah I did, just to test out a new rattle bag.. But, if your really trying to call in those big boys, its too early. If anything you will spook them.. It won't work until somewhere between november 10-20.. Well, around here anyways!
Some of it also depends on your buck to doe ratio. I have 2 properties on one ratting works good on the another it doesn't work at all as there are a pile of does around they don't fight they just go find another one.
