Calling vs Not Calling?
 

Hi, Guys I had a question about calling deer....as a new bowhunter, last year being my first, I read alot about rattling and using cans and grunts, I was wondering how many of you do it, and is it effective? I live in the Northeast, and there is not a "ton" of deer...some, but not sure what the buck to doe ratio is....the way I see it is, if there is not alot of bucks to begin with, how would rattling work? Am I on to something or am I missing the boat? I have hunted for deer with a gun for a while, but I am still looking for my first...my Dad, who has taught me all I know, is a good hunter who has killed alot of deer, but he too is new to bowhunting....any info would be appreciated. Thank You, Jay

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I will probably P-O a few people with this answer:DBut thats Ok. I have rattled and grunted a few deer in... But, the timing has to be almost perfect, and I feel you probably spook more deer than you call, especially if you not real good at it.
Ain't nothing beats good ol hard work, and hard scouting to kill big whitetails.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I don't rattle either. I just bleat and grunt.:)

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I dont think doe bleats or rattling work to well in my state[ WI] now if you
live in Texas you can hit two sticks together and the bucks come running.;)

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

Well not so in my part of Tx. The buck to doe ratio on the land I hunt is rediculous. i have yet to see a buck come in to a rattle and have seen very limited success with calls. My brother in law has hunted this same land for over 20 years and he has had no luck rattling either. we will stick with scouting and stand/blind placement.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I can attest that calling (grunts and bleats) work fanatastically in PA. Rattling on the other hand, not so much, yes at times but I agree to the statement that you will spook more deer than rattle in.

I will say however that I don't sit in my stand and randomly call all day. A few grunts or bleats now and again but very seldom. I usually call only when I see a deer and can watch it's reaction. I've personally never seen a negative reaction to grunting and bleating. There is usually a positive response or no response what so ever.

But when it does work, it's like bringing them in on a fishing line.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I have spent hundreds of days in stands over the years and I think stand placement and knowing your woods is more important than anything. I have rattled numerous bucks in though over the years and I have grunted them in too.I feel rattling is way more productive from my experience than grunting. Last year the 1st week in Nov I was in a stand and at noon it started raining; I decided to sit there and tough it out. I rattled a nice deer in the 150 class right up to the base of my tree. I didn't even know he was there till he was under neath me.I could have jumped on him.On Thanksgiving AM I always hunt and I have rattled several bucks up in the same AM doing this. It is all in timing. I have also found that REAL antlers work for rattling and the bag of dowel rods don't. Hunting funnels though is probably the best way to pick up bucks looking for does.
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RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I would have to agree that rattling is much more productive than bleats around here.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I've had luck with bleating but not many rattle around here because there are way more does than bucks so they don't feel the competition

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I rely on stand placement, the wind and patiences first and foremost. I have rattled and grunted without success most of the time. I don't do it just to do it. It has worked a couple times bringing back deer that had passed me by or were out of range. If it works it works, I think most of the time it's spotty at best. Most deer that people say came to the call were or would have probably passed within range anyway if given time. Time of year is a biggie. I think the grunt and light tickling works best before the peak rut.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

The grunt call is my favorite. It works best if you see the buck first although blind calling can work also.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I only read the first post, but i agree, rattling and calling can be affective, if it's the right time. I personally have only rattled in 2 deer, and they came running. But, it can be risky. Personally, i believe in staying as quiet as you can and being in the right place based on your scouting, and i've shot all my deer based on that. Bowhunting is about being un-detected, stalking your pray, ambushing, or knowing what the animal is going to do. Rattling will do you no good if you are not set up right. So don't rely on it to get you the "Big One". However, when the situation is right, it can be a blast.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

I have mixed feelings on this topic. I hunt several different properties and they are all very different. I have noticed that when i first started bowhunting, i would blind call hoping to pull something in and also to give me something to do to pass the time. I then started to only call after i have seen a deer, and it seems as though i see much more activity now then when blind calling. Also take into consideration what part of the season it is, rattling typically only works during the prerut- rut, and i have had success with grunts all times of the season, but during the same pre-rut to rut the grunting works the best, for me atleast. I used the can to bring in a dandy 7 point this year along with grunting to bring in a 5 and a 6 point which i passed on, so it does work.

In regards to rattling, most of the properties that I hunt on here in NJ, i do not get any reactions at all, but there is one property that the Deer come running too, so i think that its all dependant on your area. One thing to think about is this property, its fairly open with a bunch of different fields adjacent to each other where two fence rows intersect near a bedding area. Its a Prime time funnel, so the deer come through there without calling or rattling at all.Normally is sit quietly, but if im not seeing any movement i will rattle and throw a couple of grunts in along with it.I have noticed that the deer will run in and then hold up out of range, this year im going to put a decoy out to see if they will close the distance since they dont see anything else.

While on the topic of rattling, i have noticed that here in NJ, on the property that it works, i have to rattle different that you will see on the Hunting videos. Im not hunting monsters that weigh 200+ pounds and have 130+ inch racks. sure there are a couple of those around, but they are few and far between. Cause of this, i have noticed that by tickling the antlers instead of making as much noise as possible, it works better for me atleast.

Final point about calling, which in my opinion is the most important is to realize that the majority of the time you see an animal and call to it, you are going to get one of 2 responses. The first is the deer will simply ignore you, there is nothing you can do about that. The second is the deer is interested and he is going to come and check it out. Once you see this, get ready, cause if its going to happen, it will normally happen quickly. One of the most important things to remember is an older deer is going to circle down wind 9.9 times out of 10 from the location he thought he heard your calls. Keep that in the back of your mind and make sure to take it into consideration when you call to a deer.

RE: Calling vs Not Calling?
 

Ive tried all three the rattling when it works it works last year I hit the horns and a buck blazing in but it was just a six point but like others said it only works at a certain time. I would say bleating and grunting would be your best bet