ORIGINAL: gutshot
The biggest buck that I've shot to date came in to a rattle bag.It's like any other call they work sometimes and other times they don't.
That's a big 10-4!
I think the key is...don't be afraid to use it. Really get after it when you're rattling. Watch the buck fights on the huntin dvds and you'll see that it's a war...very loud.
I used to tentatively rattle almost as if I was thinking in the back of my head..."don't make too much noise" Forget that...if you rattle, get with it!
And by all means....BE READY when you do it. I've had the same buck come in twice FAST (different days) when I was rattling. He came in fast and caught me off guard.
I think a decoy would help also.