Alright, for the seasoned rattlers, I need advice, I'm going to buy a rattling bag tonight (heard they work really good from many hunters) and I am going to try to rattle the biggun' in our woods to me. Any advice on this? I will probably get to the stand about 2:30 or 3, will stay until 6:15 or so. What's a good sequence to use, how often? 3 or 4 rattles over that course? And how long to I rattle each time? I am a beginner, but I am trying new things all the time to see what works. My hubby took the last two years to teach me the basics, and I now have 3 deer (in three years) under my belt, a huge bodied buck my first year, had broken his antlers off in velvet apparently, a 7 pt last year, and a button buck this year with my bow... I want to get the big guy I've seen twice this year.

I have done an artificial scrape 35yds from my stand site, and I have been putting scents out around my stand in the shooting lanes, also tried a drag from where I have seen him, problem with that was the wind switched directions on me mid hunt and messed up that idea. This is the only thing I haven't tried... give me the know how boys and girls. I will be buying the bag today for my hunt tonight, so I need the insight ASAP!!

Well girl don't look to me for advice. Today was the 1st time it worked for me..

most important thing to remember about rattling if you can see them they can see you so be very careful when you rattle...make sure that you well hidden if you are going to rattle if there is a buck in the area. I tend not to rattle if i can see my target...try grunting etc. As soon as you rattle get up and grab your bow. The buck can be on you in an instant. Do a rattling sequence with some grunt calls intermingled in it. wait 15 30 minutes and try again. I have had good sucess since learned how to ratlle. 5 bucks in 3 years.

Just like darian said....but I only rattle 2-3 times in a afternoon sit (3-4 hrs) not saying it is right that is just how i do it.

I think antlerssound better than the bag also, the bag sounds too fake to me. But that is just my opinion. I am going to use my antlers from my 1st buck from now on I think.

thanks guys! I'm hoping to master it and get that bruiser in.

If I know there's a big bruiser in the area I'll rattle aggresively (with horns) from a well concealed ground blind. If your just tickling the antlers together every few minutes it doesn't sound threatening to him , it just sounds like a couple scrub bucks going at it , which he's used to by now and he's already established his dominance in the area. If he hears an all out rumble (aggresive rattling , which is more indicative of bigger bucks) he's gonna be pissed and wonder who's trying to invade his territory. The big ones will always circle down wind before coming in , and I can't tell you how many times I've been busted by them from rattling in a treestand and them seeing me before I see them. That's why I prefer a well concealed ground blind for rattling in the big ones.
I also like to use a dominant buck pee when rattling.

I prefer to use horns, because I thrash the bushes, stomp, grunt, and do everything else to sound like a fight. After all, that is what you are mimicking. The bags have pretty good sound,the sound just doesn'tcarry as far IMO. They are much more handy to carry, they slip in a pack easy. This early in the season don't get too carried away though, the bucks are just starting to come out of bachelor groups where I am at. I've had them come in fast with eyes bugging out and hair on end, I've also seen it take 20 minutes or so. Give it a1-2 minute sequence, break for 3-4 minutes, give it a 2-3 minute sequence, another break, and so on for 20 minutes. If that doesn't work wait an hour or two and try again. Good luck!!

I bought a rattle bag, but then I took a pair of sheds that we have and the sound is huge in difference.... I think I'll take the real thing tongiht.

I am going to be doing it from a stand, I don't have anyone to rattle for me until next weekend. I may get busted, but it just may give me a closer look at this guy, I've only seen him from 100 yds so far.

We'll just see what happens, but I've got to get ready now... it's getting that time of day!

most important thing to remember about rattling if you can see them they can see you so be very careful when you rattle...make sure that you well hidden if you are going to rattle if there is a buck in the area. I tend not to rattle if i can see my target...try grunting etc. As soon as you rattle get up and grab your bow. The buck can be on you in an instant. Do a rattling sequence with some grunt calls intermingled in it. wait 15 30 minutes and try again. I have had good sucess since learned how to ratlle. 5 bucks in 3 years.

Couldn't agree more. Just shot an 8 point yesterday morning and basically everything above applies.