Rattling. More harm than good??

I've been successful in the past using "the can"(usually little spikes and such), and I used the snort wheeze mixed with grunting to call in a nice buck....One that I didn't see until I was climbing out of the stand. All of this was right around the rut. I also figured out a fawn in distress call works pretty good to call does in early in the season. Alright guys so what I'm getting at is I want to try calling bucks in during the pre rut. The only call I haven't tried is rattling. I've been thinking about trying it this year, but I'm worried it will screw things up more than it will help. I want opinions from you guys.

Have you had success rattling during the pre rut?

Do you like rattling bags or sheds? (I have both)

What's your rattling sequence?

Thanks for any help

 

Depends on your buck to doe ratio. In my experience if there are lots of does the bucks pay no attention to rattling and just find a different doe. But there are places that rattling works great also have to catch a buck in the right mood. I have a rattle bag and have had some good luck with it but mostly I stick with my grunt tube and can call :D

 

Ive had some luck with rattlin, but it can be quick, so be ready to grab your bow. Doe to the front, but the buck came out quick from my left and I never got a shot, but he came in trottin.

 

I have found rattling works great in the pre rut. When the bucks are trying to create a pecking order. Just don't over do it. When a buck comes in to the rattle he is looking for a fight so it can be fast be ready. Smaller bucks and does will come in some times just to check out what is going on. I use sheds and a bag I switch up to not sound the same all the time.

 

Lot's of luck with rattling here. I use a bag and sheds both for a different sound and also two different grunt tubes and maybe a snort wheeze before the sequence to replicate two different bucks. It seems to scare away the does ... but the large and small bucks are usually curious to see what's going on. Usually the smaller one's will keep their distance.

 

Looks like I might be trying it this fall! How long are you guys rattling sequences?

 

I try to duplicate the sounds from what ive seen of bucks fighting on some of my DVDs, but I saw a fifteen year guide at a south-west Texas ranch, and he beats those sheds goin ninety-to-nuthin for five minutes at a time. He said you cant rattrle long enough or loud enough to scare em off. Seemed a bit much to me but the bucks came running.

 

Ive got a nice one to come in with antlers and a few years later another nice one came in to the "bag", the first time I barely touched the horns together and he came charging in huffing and puffing...missed him clean. The second time I rattled for along time 5 minutes or so and he came in but spotted me and stayed out of range.

 

I'm the worlds worst rattler

 

I've had some decent luck with rattling. I think the key is to keep it realistic based on the types of bucks you have in the area. If you have a good number of better bucks around, then try to mimic two nice bucks fighting. Don't over do it and sound like two monsters going at it unless you have monsters in the area.

In my neck of the woods, I try to sound like to subordinate bucks fighting. If figure that most bucks won't be intimidated by this and will investigate. It's worked pretty well so far.