ceaser8, i grunt before/after I rattle (I also may grunt at the med. point between sessions-15mins) My grunts vary, some times soft contact style grunts or tending grunts or maybe aggressive grunts..it depends on the stage and what's working. I am never afraid to change the sounds of my grunts up. As far as rattling goes, I prefer to rattle from the ground. Reasons: easy to move, rack ground, trees and thunmp on the ground. I start off slow, soft and for about 30secs, I grind and tickle the antlers to simulate a struggle. I then wait 30 minutes and then bring up the tone and duration to 45-60 seconds. Repeat every 30 minutes and generally rattle a spot for about 3 hours max then move. I start out all rattling sequences the same, grunt, rake trees, rake ground and then rattle. I finish the sequence with thumping on the ground to simulate a fleeing deer, then grunt and rake the trees and ground. I prefer rattling midday during the rut 10-3. Never rattle until you can shoot and see well. A deer might come instantly, while others may take several tries.

I set up in timber ridges, bush meadows, funnels, rublines...travel routes. Personally never had much success on fields or open food sources with the horns.

Some things to remember, range all your lanes prior to rattling(shooting lanes), always have a backdoor option for shooting(mature bucks will often circle you and try and come in downwind..so be ready & aware for that), know the wind and use it, don't over due it(in tone, duration or sessions wait approx.30mins), be very attentive, minimize your movements.....finally practice and patience.

You can use the rattling tech with tarsal/musk or doe in estrus scents as well.