I have little experience with deer calls but from what I've heard or read some bow hunters use them all through the deer season wether they see deer or not. Other hunters use them only during the rut to try and get the attention of a buck that they see. My question is when do you think the right time to pull out a deer grunt or snort weez is? I've heard that over calling a stand can educate the deer in the area that it is not another deer they hear but you and they will stay clear of you. I tend to believe that could be true if you hunt that stand alot and the deer have in some way sented you or busted you going in, they may be able to tell that what there hearing is a deception? Personally I've decided that I should only call when I see a buck during the rut out of shooting range bit since Ive heard other hunters do it all season with success I feel I may be wrong. With that being said, If you are one of the successful hunters who call deer into themselves throught the season what calls do you use and when?
Go to this and watch the videos on calling. I have been watching this website grow in the past few years and the have gotten on tho the sportmans channel. I have a lot of respect for Bill Winke and his knowledge. Hope this helps. Good luck, Stefen
That's a great video with some great information. IMO over calling, or calling at the wrong times, is one of the most common mistakes people make. In our quest to fill our tags it seems like a lot of guys will call to a deer the moment they see one, thinking they're just going to come walking right in. In reality it rarely happens that way. Personally, I usually only call (specifically grunt) when I see a deer and the conditions are right. Meaning the animal is not downwind of me, the animal is not on alert b/c of scent or movement, and I believe there is no chance of that animal coming towards me without the aid of a call. Also, I will only grunt when the animal is looking away. Those conditions don't happen as often as I probably only grunt at maybe 2-3 bucks per year. I will blind call a bit during the right time of the year, but only on limited occassions. Usually during the pre-rut in late October or very early November I can have some success with rattling but I try not to overdo it. I'd rather hunt deer that have no idea I exist rather than ones that are looking for me with their eyes, ears and nose as they approach.
haha I want to add a little something here. My doofy brother and his doofy frined watch too many hunting videos, since I'm never around anymore due to my occupation I do not have the "pleasure" of experincing hunting with them but from what my father tells me. They like to blow up the woods with calls anytime of year trying to blind call deer. My father and I have always been very reserved when it comes to calling. But I will say this for the two doofuses there extrodinarily unsuccessful in some very nice bow hunting locations. Locations that I have had alot of success in. On another note my brother bless his heart is far to arogant and ignorant to be informed that what he is doing is wrong. He's been shotting bows for years and last month I mentioned his anchor point to him. He had NO idea what I was talking about. At first he rejected it until he recieved countless other opinions. I guess being older doesnt mean wiser...some peoples kids.WAIT!
I like this way of thinking. I think I have called too much in the past. This idea helps see the whole picture and not just the call-and-see-deer idea that call makers try to portray. Also, just watched the video. They touched upon some great points that I had never heard before and makes you really see that blind calling and calling too soon/at the wrong time can do much more harm than good. There's a method behind every madness.
I've had some good experience with calling in a few bucks. I've been guilty of over calling or blind calling, but ever since i called in a nice 8 pt within 25 yards, i've tried to keep my calling to a min. I called him in with a few timely grunts. After watching video's and seeing what they say, it may time a few times in the field to learn when and when not to call. just my .02¢
I agree completely. I don't want to feel like I ruined my chance at a deer because I chose to call at the wrong time. I will only grunt if I think the deer will not come to me whatsoever and the conditions are right.
