We have always had pretty fair luck rattleing in NE PA, VT and NH. Trick is one knowing the land in which you hunt... mainly we work transition zones and travel route during the seeking faze of the pre rut. We have had as many as five respond in one morning last one falling to my wifes arrow. This buck came straight in hooking every other tree on the way, others came sneaking in for a peek. Also dosen' t hurt to have a hot doe in the area as an extra attractant. We don' t bash the horns hard except for maybe an occasional pop, mix in alot of grunting and heavy breathing with foot stomping and some bush snaping and swishing. Pre rut activity has been good with just tickling and rubbing on trees, expecially if you are in an area where the buck are still banded up. It works, has it' s time and place... but I have also watched as a buck cleans out of the area when he just wants nothing to do with it.