So I have been reading forums and listening to buddies tell him how well the can works for the doe estrous call. Today I tried it out, I only had three does come in, and one was making a wierd sound back at me, would you continue using it? I didnt see any of the bucks around today? I heard different things about spooking them.
Um, any time you see deer its worthwhile to continue to do what you're doing. Bucks will follow the does. Once you see a buck, initiate a grunt/call sequence to communicate with the male and draw him in
I've never found or read any scientific evidence that does make an "estrous" call.. it's more pointed to simply their contact call, it's a bleat that rises and falls in pitch, thus "The Can" but hey, calling it and estrous call sells so.... it can accurately be called an agitated contact call as they are alone, in "estrous" or "heat" and want company.. that said, does as well as bucks are very social and vocal animals. If the doe were calling back to you, yes you could have subtly continued to call back to her as long as you didn't give away your location and spook her... Deer are VERY good at pinpointing where a call comes from.
I myself have not had any luck specifically with a "doe-bleat call", but I believe also that is because I never have really gaven a "can" call much of a chance in the woods because of the good luck I have had just from rattling and grunting. but its on the market for a reason, and I'm not doubting it doesn't work, but like all calls you kinda have to be carefull like rob said, deer have an unbelievable knack on pin-pointing were a call comes from so thats something to keep in mind, but yeah i wouldn't be afraid to use it, i beleive there is a right place and time for everything.
I have no doubt about this. I was on a state park hunt many years ago and had failed to locate my stand in the dark (I bought reflective tacks the next week). I ended up sitting on the ground with my back to a tree for awhile in the morning. I heard some rustling down the hill so I grunted. A VERY big buck came charging up the hill and straigt at me, head down ready to fight. Scared the living crap out of me. I had my gloves on and was fumbling for the safety on my shotgun. This deer got very close to me before turning around and running out of there. A few years ago, I was in a tree stand, but not high enough to get above the hill that was at my back. I heard some rustling as a deer was walking through the hollow on the other side of the hill. I grunted, but got nothing, the rustling continued. I figured it must be a doe so I threw out a fawn bleat. This doe came running straight up the hill and stopped immediately behind my tree, walking around looking for the source. She finally walked down and around my tree, still looking for the source. While this is only two occurrences, both deer were out of sight beyond a hill and both came running straight to the source of the sound (me) within just a few yards. Very cool, although I thought I was dead with the buck incident.
