One thing I have not learned yet is how to effectively call in a mature buck using a deer grunt. I would like to know what kind of grunt patterns everyone uses. Such as do you make a single short grunt, or do you do a sequence of grunts. Also does a doe call work at all? I have only rattled in the past but would like to start using a grunt call as well. I understand it might be difficult to explain how you grunt in words… but try your best! Thanks in advance!
The video in this thread helped me understand a little bit of the "calling strategy." As for the fundamentals maybe pick up an instructional DVD to help you out or YouTube it. http://forums.bowhunting.com/showth...s-when-not-to-when-to-and-which-work-the-best
My best and only luck has been early to mid-October in SW Wisconsin. No reaction (for me) before this time or after this time. In IL (northern and central) I have never elicited a response from a buck while grunting other than running like the wind to the next county. I think hunting pressure determines a lot. If you have every single hunter in the woods blowing their grunt tubes the deer will learn IMO. I still carry one on the public land I hunt for that just in case moment, but I never blind call anymore.
I think we've all had the same experiences with grunting to a buck that's walking away or wandering through. Most of the time, they seem to pay no attention to you. But watch that deer more closely next time. A lot of times the only indication that they've heard or acknowledged you is a simple flick of the tail. I've only ever had a couple of deer walk straight into a grunt call. Most of the time, if they respond at all, they'll slip out of sight and come down wind of you to check things over. It might be 5 minutes or it could be 30 minutes later. IMO, calling is only effective during certain parts of the rut. Once the first couple of does in the area start coming into estrus, the bucks have only one thing on their mind and not much will sway their attention. I've had much better luck rattling than calling with a grunt call. Of course, it also puts the game in the deers' favor because now you have them searching for the origin of the sound. Any screw up on your part and you're bound to be picked off.
I think grunting is specific to the animal. Some are more vocal and responsive while others don't care at all. Last year I did have some luck grunting... literally I grunted as hard as I could because he was going to leave down a scrape line anyway. He turned around and came right in. It worked that time at least. Check out the video from last season in Pepin County, WI. http://www.bowhunting.com/videos/Season-1--2010/Episode-07The-Rut-in-Full-Force--BOWHUNT-or-DIE_893
I grunt in bucks and does every year. You can do a single, soft grunt in the early season and as it gets closer to the rut do a sequence of grunt varying in tone and length.
