I have heard a lot of negative opinions about this. I don't understand why a lot of hunters say it is a bad idea. As I have mentioned before in other threads, the last year I hunted in Michigan, I called in two different bucks on different days with a buck grunt in the pre-rut. Both bucks were 80-100 yards out. They come from an old field that wasn't being used. Of course, I did see them before i called. Here in Tennessee where I live now, I do not have the chance to hunt any fields. I have to hunt in the woods. Most stand sites that I set up on public land, I can only see around 60-80 yards out. Now, if I have a deer out 90-120 yards out that could possibly hear a grunt or a bleat, why would it be a bad idea to try and call to see if something is out there? I mean, that is what I think about. I know there is something I am missing here because as mentioned above, a lot of hunters say that is a bad idea. Could someone please explain why? I am not in any way saying that I am right. I am simply looking for the reason why this would be wrong to do. I am not arguing here at all. Just looking for answers. Thanks.
Im with you on this one. Dont understand why blind calling is a bad idea. Maybe ill get some good info as to why its a bad idea
I was just looking into this today. I couldn't find any real good info on it. Something good should show up here. I for one have not had any good luck with it yet. My dad does. I think it's all in the technique.
I'm all for it "WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT". Meaning pre rut & rut for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
He is a good reason not to blind call, you cannot see the reaction of the deer and you are just blindly tooting the grunt you are just letting him know your location and not to go over there. If you have ever heard a deer grunt in the woods it's pretty quite and not a long distance call.
I love blind calling and attribute a lot of my kills to it! I like to try to set up in places that bucks really can't see into unless they come into my lap to investigate the "other buck." I guarantee you that you can call in some decent deer when the time is right. That time is almost here for Virginia. I'm sure some deer will react negatively and I'll never witness it. It works both ways though. I've blind called not knowing a buck was in the area and had them respond. I've also called to deer that I could easily see and they spooked.
I do a lot of blind calling in the earlier part of the season and have had great success with it . As we move closer to the rut I prefer to see what I'm calling to so I can gage their reaction and make changes as needed . I have always thought that if you wait till most of the bucks have been whooped , you'll scare some pretty nice bucks off with blind calling .
Also, I like the Primos Buck Roar. You can make some load & throaty grunts with that sucker. Great call!
The only reason...that I can think of. If their is a deer nearby and you cant see it threw the trees, bush, whatever. I think that their is a chance that you may spook it by calling when it is to close. They have very keen eyesight, and smell. If they hear a call that is close and don't see or smell anything, they my think something's up and bolt. This is just a theory???
Are we considering rattling blind calling? Do most people rattle when they see a buck in range or not?
When I have a buck in close that I already know "I'm not shooting" I use it as an opportunity to hone my calling skills . Changing pitch , tone and volume while calling to a buck can cause them to get pretty riled up and it's fun to watch . The thing to remember is , don't grunt to a 2.5 year old buck this time of year using the deepest sounding grunt call that you can find , you have to grunt to their level . I played with this buck 2 years ago at 35 yards for more than 30 minutes and was really having fun with it when a 4.5 year old blew past him to get to me . Sometimes just having fun can turn extremely exciting in a hurry
I would consider it blind calling if you consider it calling. I don't because you aren't using deer language to try and speak to a deer you are trying to entice him too see who's fighting. Of course I can see why you could call it blind calling too. I go go either way and be fine.
I blind call alot especially in stands in thicker cover. I've had up to 7 bucks come in after a calling sequence. If the time and location is right it is highly effective. Sometimes I can hear the buck but can't see em listening to him you can determine his mood. I've called to mature bucks for hours before they break and come in.
The only real downside to it is that deer, when called to, have a tendency to swing down wind of the call to make sure the coast is clear to explore. If you call blindly and have the buck youre after swing down wind and bust you the gig is up. Thats the only thing i can think of as to why blind calling would be "bad" but I dont do it simply because i dont get results. Some people do, like my buddy just rattled up and shot a buck tonight, its all preference. I do engage in calling once I see a buck like stated above though and know hes in a favorable wind. Once the buck is spotted you can see his demeanor and age and call accordingly. Also it is extremely important to see their reaction to calling. I can honestly say ive probably called in two bucks blind calling in my life time. But unless the buck is locked on a doe, most of the time I can get him curious enough to come take a look when calling after being spotted. I took both of my best bucks calling once I saw them. As stated above deer have incredible eye sight and many times wont come in unless they see what they want to see. they know exactly where that sound came from and if they dont see the deer who made it in the vicinity the older bucks wont be fooled. thats why when calling it is best to use either a decoy or when you are in thick cover. This way the buck will see a deer and believe the call, or think it is just out of vision and come to explore it.
I define "blind calling" as calling anytime when I don't see a specific animal I'm calling to. I believe it's all just personal preference on what hunters like to do. I don't believe you'll ever get a definitive answer to whether it's right or wrong or how well it works because nobody truly knows. For me it all boils down to this: when you blind call you're alerting any deer in the vicinity to your presence and putting them on alert. Whether it's a doe, young buck, old buck, doesn't matter. The minute you start tooting on the old grunt tube or banging the rattling antlers together any deer within range is going to take note. Some choose to simply ignore it, while others take note and investigate. In my personal experience not a lot of deer simply come walking or trotting in to see what's going on. They like to scope things out first. Whether that be by approaching downwind of the sound, or walking into an area where they can see where the sound is coming from, they want to know what's going on before they show up to the party. If they catch your wind, catch you moving, or simply don't like what they see (no deer) the jig is up and not only have you blown a possible opportunity but you've just made that particular animal that much harder to call in next time. I personally only call to an animal as a last resort and only when conditions are right. Meaning if I know that animal isn't headed my way, he's already committed to going elsewhere and the wind is in my favor I will call to him. The minute he acknowledges my call with a look in my direction I typically shut up and let his curiosity do the rest. If he commits, he commits. If not I don't keep calling l like a desperate teenager. Again, no use in educating them any more than you have to. Sometimes they'll wander off and come back on their own a little while later to see what's going on. Again it's all personal preference. I like to catch them unaware and not on alert as I find them much easier to kill at close range.
Blind calling has killed many deer for me. It works here, but we don't have the kind of hunting pressure a lot of places have. I think that makes a huge difference in the way the deer will respond. If you are hunting an area with light hunting pressure and you are not blind calling, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities to see more deer.
First off I only call on days that I can hear well light winds/dry crunchy ground. I want to know that deer's every move by listening. To risky when you can't hear em coming. Sometimes just tootin on the grunt call is enough other times you really have to sell it to em. Main three calling tactics I use are grunt tube, rattling antler and snort wheeze. I get more aggressive in the am hunts starting early with just a couple grunts every half hour or so. A couple hours after light i'll really start laying it on em. You have to think of everything that deer do when they are making noise/calls. This is when you need to be creative to make it all realistic. Don't just grab the rattling antlers and start bangin em start of with a snort wheeze or two raking a antler on your tree before you start your buck fight. Some think im crazy when I blind call the day I called in 7 bucks I actually had a friend filming me for the first time and he couldn't believe it. One of my favorite tactics is creating a full blown chase from my tree stand. If you have ever heard deer chasing hard in the timber then you know there is a lot more noise than some grunting it sounds like they are bulldozing trees over! So I always keep a stock pile of branches in the tree with me. Create your own chase grunt like crazy break branches throw stuff make a bunch of noise bang stuff against your tree whatever you need to do to get the buck's fired up! I'm not afraid to make noise from my stand when calling a rattle or grunts need other noises to be realistic. Ok im rambling not sure if im making any sense. But one last tip keep some small twigs or rocks in your pocket you made need them to seal the deal. when that buck does come in and is hung up 30-40 yards in cover drop a twig//stone or two from your stand it sounds like another deer taking a step it allows him to zone in on you and come in for the kill shot. Good luck
That's pretty much how I rattle and have had the same results . The only thing I would add to that is to keep the wind and terrain in your favor . Mature bucks do prefer to circle down wind to figure out which bucks are fighting and see if a hot doe is in the area . Try to set up where you have a creek , deep ravine , steep hill , or even an open field on your down wind side so that the bucks are less inclined to get down wind of you and more inclined to come straight to the calling . Also if you ain't roaring this time of year , your missing out . Couldn't tell you how many bucks I've heard roar as they charge out to scent check a doe . It's my opinion that the roar is nothing more than an overly excited grunt call and it can sure bring some bucks charging in .
Totally agree. I use the promos buck roar and will let out some real deep challenging roars and have had countless bucks come charging in over the years . Exciting to hear them come crashing and send a challenging roar back to you.
