The rut is in full swing in NC right now. What time should I start rattling and grunting and how often? It gets dark just before 6.
That's funny you say that, in my neck of the woods they aren't rutting at all. Scrapes are non existent, bucks aren't paying attention to the does. Had 3 different bucks come in this morning non of them seemed interested in the does.
Rattling before dark is a last ditch effort. I wouldn't recommend blind rattling or grunting that late. Unless they come charging in you will more often then not get busted on the way out. Several studies show that mature bucks are much more responsive in the AM to both rattling and grunting. I typically won't do any rattling the last hour of light unless I have a visual on a buck and need to try to turn him.
Very good to know, I didn't know that. I blind rattled and grunted 2-3 times this afternoon and didn't have any luck. For nearly 30 minutes I heard what I thought was a deer. Looking for it, looking for it, finally I realized that it was just a squirrel Been there, done that too many times. I've never rattled or grunted in the mornings, looks like I'll be out again first thing Saturday. How long do you wait being "repetitions?"
Ive always heard that to Heckler. Around 8-10 AM -ish. Is a real good time. Ive only successfully rattled a mature buck in one time and that was a last ditch effort. Saw an enormous buck (still chokes me up thinking about it) cutting across a field 300yds away. with the wind to my advantage i smashed the bag as hard as i could. I lost sight of him. Thinking he spooked or didnt hear me i went to put my rattle bag away and out of corner of eye saw nothing but massive tines running full blast at me.... one of my most intense hunts. Never got a shot off cause he stopped short and circled to wind me. If i had a decoy out im confident hed be on my wall!
I am no expert obviously and can only account from my personal experience. I will rattle as soon as it is light enough to shoot. I'll try rattling lightly first for a duration of 2-3 minutes. I will wait about 10 minutes and then really get after it. I believe the louder the better. Another 2-3 minutes and then I will repeat once more 7-10 minutes later. I'll then wait about 30 minutes and try it again.
a really buck battle usually last only seconds, but sometimes longer. I will rattle for a few seconds then wait 15 minutes. I've killed many buck 10 minutes after i've rattled. they can hear a good distance. 15 minutes is a good waiting period, because the last thing you want to have happen is a buck see you rattling. My best bucks to date were shot after rattling off the ground. Ground rattling is the best because you can stomp your feet break branches and ruffle fallen leafs. The larger the better if you ask me. I've not had much success up in a tree rattling. Hope this helps.
I had a nice buck come walk through a cornfield last night, grunted at him and everything and did not pay me any attention. There were also about 6 does in the field and he didnt pay them any attention. The rut does not seem to be in swing in NC.
Mid morning works best for me. Early morning or right before dark I won't make a sound unless I am watching the deer I am calling in.
