ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Your herd dynamics will be a big factor in determining whether or not calls will be successful, for you.
Around here.....having a buck respond to a grunt call is akin to asking Brad Pitt to leave Angelina, Marissa Miller, Jessica Biel and Pam Anderson .....for a tussle to gain the possible affections of a"mystery woman".
I'd take my chances with the sure things I was with if I were him, too
But they also don't hurt. In your woods I called to every buck I saw, roughly what 10 or so and only one responded enough to call. They all listened, did not spook but were just too busy to come. BUT that one that did, offered me a shot I wouldn't have had otherwise. They are not full proof, but they do work even in your neck of the woods.
At least one in 10 times it did. LOL