Deer are vocal all year long. Grunts and Doe bleats are used as locating sounds along with fawn bleats. The grunt call and doe bleat can be used all through the rut...you cant call too much during rut...and yes--if you hear a grunt grunt back...just dont grunt or use any call when when a deer is facing you...they may be able to pinpoint where you are. Wait for them to turn head...and call softer as deer get closer so you dont give away your position. You might wanna think about gettn a rattle bag to pair up with your grunt call for the prerut-rut action going on right now...may not work for you if your hunting area is way high in doe numbers but heck--you never know, and its something to do while on stand...some say you shouldnt rattle more then a few times in say a 4-5 hour period...but other say every 30 mins...either way...rattle starting off low then get wild...paired with grunts...and tapper off ending with grunt maybe 30-45 secs (i have heard fights last longer)...THIS is the time to be rattling...the bucks are establishing thier pecking order!...if you dont want to mess with that---just grunt your butt off! Hope this helps. Good luck--and welcome to the best legal drug you can find--DEER HUNTN!