New archery hunter here looking for anytips of calling whitetails during the rut. When to grunt and how long plus when to rattle and for how long? Any tips u guys have is welcomed! Thanks Logan Hoyt Vectrix carbon express rage three blade
Good calling techniques are important when trying to bring bucks in. First, the wind is key. Keep wind indicator with you so you can know the wind at all times. Obviously, you want to be rattling into the wind so you smell them before they smell you (theoretically) and then you can start rattling. Rattle for a few minutes, beat the horns on the bushes around you, make a lot of noise. Then, do a few grunt calls and let it be quiet for awhile. If a buck comes up, great, if not, repeat the process. Scent is very important too. You need to have scent cover so you don't have a smell. It's also helpful to have some scents like doe estrus around you so the bucks are attracted and will feel comfortable and "horny" when they come in often making them irrational. This is how you get a shot. If you need any other tips just ask
I read an article in one of my hunting magazines that really gave some great information. Calling is very effestive during the rut. Bucks are on their feet and looking for does. When they hear another buck in the area they don't really like that. If you see a buck off in the distance give a few loud grunts to get his attention. if he's looking at you face the opposite way and grunt behind you. this will make him think that the other deer is somewhere in the woods. if he starts coming your way just shut up and get ready. Now for rattling i like to be on the downwind side of where you think the deer are going to be coming. Bucks will often circle downwind of where you're rattling so they can smell what the heck is going on. so be very aware of that. WHen rattling the louder the better imo. If you're going to make noise mine as well make it loud right. throw a few grunts in between rattling and be ready. Good Luck out there
how many grunts do u guys do in the rut in sucession? Is it okay to grunt and use a doe in heat bleat? Any tips on calling is appreciated. Thanks
I usually give a few grunts. Depends on what you want to do. If you want to act like a buck chasing a doe they're short blows into the call. I act like i'm saying "ta ta ta ta ta ta ta." A breeding or tending grunt is a drawn out grunt around 5-7 sec. long. I do use doe bleats in with my grunts every so often. Hope this can help you out a little.
my most effective callling strategy bar none is by using an short estrous bleats followed by 3-5 short grunts. something like you would hear if a buck is chasing a doe around. This really amps up the curiosity of bucks near by and if you have estrous out you can bet your bottom dollar they will want in on the chase! goodluck!
Great thread please keep on with tips! I am also learning to call - well trying to - haven't been brave enough to rattle. But also I am a meat hunter and don't want to "scare" does off? Having said that I do put with a Turkey call sometimes to let deer know that all is safe.
no way man during the rut calling doesnt scare the does off. last year i rattled a few times and a few does came in like they were investigating or something. Also this year when i was bleating and grunting to a buck to call him in a doe actually walked right to me and was looking all around. you gotta remember all these sounds are natural just like your turkey call
When I rattle I always start off with a few grunts and a bleat. Next I wait for about 10 sec's and start banging my bones. I too make as much noise as possible. If you can climb out of your stand fast and do this on the ground it works much better. I'll break branches and stump the ground. When two deer are at battle it is very load. You might hear more branches breaking and thumping of the hoofs then the actual antlers banging. All the while keep using the grunt call, because bucks grunt while they are fighting too. I always finish with stumping on the ground or slapping my hands on my lap, as if one buck is running away. If getting out of the stand and back up, in a quick matter, isn't feasible, then just slap your hands on your lap repeatedly. I've done this several time and had the deer show up fast. The most important thing to remember is get ready as soon as you’re finished, because a buck could be at your side is seconds most likely within 20 minutes. This is why I stress out and back in fast if you get down on the ground. I always wait about an hour or so before I repeat the sequence.
