I have found the most effective time to rattle is right around Halloween-November 7th or so. I rattled and called for years at the wrong times. Two years ago I rattled in an 8 pointer and killed him on November 7th. Last year I rattled in a monster 10 point on October 30th to 20 yards but I could not get a shot.

So here is my advice given my short experience rattling. Do it at the right times, and do it sparringly. If you are going to hunt in the morning, wait until you can see your pins, then rattle lightly if you are close to a bedding area, light enough to be heard maybe 100 yards away, and only rattle for 10 seconds or so. Sit tight and do not rattle again unless you absolutely feel it will work. That is how I killed that 8 pointer. I was 50 yards off a doe bedding area and rattled just like that and 2 minutes later that buck came in to 7 yards.

Last year I snuck in October 30th to a place I just knew a buck was bedding. I waited 1 hour after I got on stand to let things settle down and then rattled like heck for 30 seconds, full bore. I was not around a bedding area, but more like a saddle. 1-2 minutes later that brute showed up.

I am learning that rattling can be effectice, even on Quantico, but it has to be at the right time, place, and type of rattling. It will be fun to try it out again this year, but I will not overdo it because I usually just like to sit tight.

Good luck Rick.