I've never had any luck with it (only tried it a few times), but I know some folks who have (one guy swears by it). Not sure what time frame.

I think Greg Miller says something in one of his books to the effect of "some people say that rattling only works in Texas. Phooey. Bucks spar and fight everywhere, not just Texas." (definately not his exact words, but the idea is the same)

I have also read that such tactics have less impact when the doe to buck ratio is too high (as it is in most of Alabama). The bucks don't care about checking out what the ruckus is about...they can sit still and let the does come to them.