You can start rattling when the bucks are in early pre rut, however just make it like a light spar vs a real fight. It works on small to med sized bucks andcan bring a young bach group all at once. At this time of year the only scent to use would be just reg deer pee and I would rattle (or spar) the peak movement times - aka am or evening. This has never produced for me any really good sized bucks but is still fun none the less. The only calls I would make if at all would becontactor social grunts, as this isn't about aggression but rather build up to the main event.

I agree the best time is late pre rut or chase phase for sheer numbers. Here a response can be envoked at any time during the day depending on your setup. If you hunting further along the transition route rattling can produce at any time of the day.Further along, like a food source the peak times is always best. Calling here would range from contact grunts, doe bleats and mild tending grunts (huffy grunt). Scents you could use is deer pee or dominant buck scent.

Rut is a feast or famine situation from my persepctive regardless of technique used. However rattling works very well in the right locations during the rut if the buck to doe ratio is close. During this time I prefer to rattle as far in or as close to the bedding areas as possible. I now only rattle during this period at mid day (10-3), as this has always proven to be my best producer. Scents of either estrus or dominat buck would be fine. Calls the tending grunt, contact grunt and doe bleats can be added.

My rattling technique is more twisting and grinding vs smashing the horns. I always start out at my lowest tone/intensity and short duration of 30 sec, then wait for 20 minutes and slowly increase intensity, tone and duration of the sequences until I reach 60-90 rattle. During the chase phase and rut I throw in the raking of trees, rustling of leaves and pounding on the ground of the higher intensity offerings to simulate a deer fleeing the contest. I only hunt from the ground but in either case backing for concealment is essential. I also keep my gross movements to a min. when not rattling, panning with my eyes and being attentive to my surroundings. I assume after every tinkle of the horns a deer may present a shot so I am ready and know my lanes so if an opportunity arises I can quickly judge the animal and acquire the target. Personally have found most mature bucks tend to want to circle the nosiemaker, so I pay particular attention to both my sides and backdoor. So be aware of this happening.

As far as scaring deer off, if you over call or get to aggressive they can be warned off - regardless of the size. However I have rattled in bucks and does on many of occasions, on the same token I know deer have moved off without me getting a glimpse..so don't worry it will happen but patience is often rewarded. I also never rattle from the same spot in successive days and will only rattle afew hours from the same spot during a single period, hence why I hunt on the ground. Often moving slightly has provided a difference in the outcome,ifI had picked the wrong spot or deer were just on to me I can't say for sure but changing things up never hurts when things aren't going as planned.

I use real antlers as well, never could get the tone out of a bag or set of fake horns thatI like. It also makes raking on the trees/ground easy and I would think more realistic to the deer.

I have never believed in scents as an attractant but as cover scent or a sec long holding agent I have witnessed them work. I place my scent downwind from me in semi cirlce at ranging height, so if an animal circles it may allow me an opportunity. It has worked on more than one occasion and equally done squat.

Best of luck and if first you don't succeed try again! Rattling, calling and scent aren't magic sometimes they work and others they don't..just keep plugging along and learning till you find what works for you and your area.