Jake, Fldeerman is right on the money. Don't and I mean don't put any scent on yourself. I have done a drag rag before but i used a long tail like 8 feet to ensure it wasn't on me or my boots. BTW, if you use a drag rag idea with doe or buck scent...go intentional well past your stand location and circle back (the up wind side of your stand-meaning your scent is blowing away from the rag to your stand) and then I usually drop the rag out in front...this will keep the deer out in front where you want them to be.

As to calling, I generally wait till I am in position, check the wind for the best place and give the woods time to settle before I call or rattle. I have on occasion grunted when I was moving in loud ground cover. I basically still hunt my way to stand and stop/pause with the odd grunt to cover my approach. I would never do this in the dark, but rather daylight so you can see an animal. I use calls especially when I visually see deer, but never when I see a deer i don't want to shoot! I blind call when I rattle! I blind call as well when I hear but don't see the deer and only when they are upwind. Which leads me to another point, deer will often circle the ranch sort to speak when calling or rattling, so make sure you have a shooting lane downwind and watch that way as well. I can't tell you how many times they have just shown up behind me. (you experienced this as well) Transition area calling can be a double edge sword, so it is very important to know exactly how the trails veer and tail off. Don't assume the X in the middle means they go straight north or what have you, IME they often wind, meander in many directions with loads of side links, to take advantage of different wind directions or even prodominant wind factors to that area. So this is where pre-season scouting is gold.


Wlecome Jake, I think you'll find it a great palce to get tips and share experiences. GOOD LUCK
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Edited by - skeeter 7mm on 10/07/2002 15:46:06

Edited by - skeeter 7mm on 10/07/2002 15:48:23