HOW LOUD TO RATTLE?
 

I'VE NEVER HEARD A 'REAL' BUCK BATTLE--CAN ANYONE DESCRIBE IT?HOW LOUD?HOW LONG?IS IT BETTER TO USE LARGE ANTLERS-SMALL ANTLERS--TWO DIFFERENT SIZED ANTLERS?

RE: HOW LOUD TO RATTLE?
 

Jsasker,

I am sure there are going to be many opinions on this. My rule of thumb is try to rattle in a fashion that is relative to the stage of the rut. So in pre-rut I will tickle antlers together in order to mimic a sparring session. During the scraping phase of the rut, I begin picking up the pace and rubbing trees while rattling more aggressively. During the Breeding phase I try and mimic bucks fighting over a doe. In the post rut I go back to sparring or once in a while if I think or know a late doe is in estrus and in my area I will mimic a battle. Rattling is often over-used and scares some bucks away in my opinion. Not all bucks want to fight. I have heard two bucks fights over the years and in 1998 I killed a nice buck right after he had fought with another buck near a scrapeline. I use shed antlers of which I find two same side sheds from different bucks. I cut the browtines off so they fit very nicely together. That makes it easy for packing them between your fanny pack and beltline. I use medium sized antlers for my area. I also like to use a social grunt call, especially during the scraping and breeding phase of the rut. Since 1996 I have harvested 4 bucks via rattling and grunting and my brother 3,which averages about one every other year and I have passed on many younger bucks. My most mature buck from rattling being a 136 inch 5x5. Also when rattling play your wind and be as scent free as possible. Having a buck come to antlers is just flat out awesome in my book. Be careful not to over rattle. I have had to learn the hard way many times.

IHW,
Shed

RE: HOW LOUD TO RATTLE?
 

Hey listen to Shed it seems like he may have more experience than me but I would like to add one thing and that is rattle for about 20 seconds or so at a time but leave some gaps in your rattling. Like rattle for five or ten seconds and then hold off for a couple and then start up again. All of the fights I have heard have these gaps of silence because one buck will gain an advatage and be pushing the other buck with their horns locked.

RE: HOW LOUD TO RATTLE?
 

MT....your right...I have witnessed two all out buck fights in my life while hunting... both times there where pauses...very short..during these pauses in the antlers clashing...I could hear the ground being torn up and antlers grinding together...not clanking...good point for sure.

IHW,
Shed

RE: HOW LOUD TO RATTLE?
 

thanks very much for the feedback!now i have a good idea what needs to be done--now i can add one more thing to carry out to the woods with me.