The perfect ending to rattling
 

Maybe it's just me but i find that when i'm rattle deer horns that sometimes i just can't quit until i finish off with the perfect breakapart/ending. I rattle alot during the entire season i often catch my self doing it, I doubt it matters, Alot of time i'll never get to even finish and the bucks come rushing in. Anyone else find themselves finishing a session just right?

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RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I suck at rattling. I usually scare more deer away than I call in, so I don't do it very much at all. [&o]

However, I'm pretty successful with a grunt call, I never leave home without 2 of them in my pack. ;)

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Greg - it may just be something about the area we hunt but I've never had much success with rattling either. In fact, I don't know many peole around here who have. However, I've had great success with a grunt call and know others who have as well.

I think of all the times I've rattled in my life, which was a lot when I was younger, I can definitely say I've had maybe two deer that I knew for a fact were coming into the rattling. Other than that I either haven't seen anything at all, or spooked deer from it.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Rattling is allot of fun and frustrating at the same time. When it works its great but when it doesn't work your wondering if your doing more harm then good. My brother and I have had excellent success in rattling. I suck with grunt calls and of the sorts but my brother has luck with them. This year I will be bringing the Growl and the snort and wheeze with me in the woods for the 1st time. I'm excited to give it a try. Oakcreek I know exactly what your talking about when it comes to ending a good rattling sequence. I try and do the same but it doesn't always end that way.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

What you've said is exactly true for all of the places I've hunted, Wis and Ill. Every once in a while I'll watch a video where it works great, then I go out and try.......... and zilch!! [:@]

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Although I have rattled in Bucks a few times over the years, I have never been lucky enough to kill one doing ratteling alone.
Now I have killed several using ratteling and grunting or grunting and rubbing small trees with my bow limb at the same time.
I think how much you rattle without getting caught is more important than how you end a sequence.
But then I am not that successful on this subject.
Im like Greg, I wont leave home without a good Grunt call.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Same here, I think it has alot to do with the Buck to Doe ratio in different parts of the Country.
Kansas = Ratteling and grunting works well.
Kentucky = just grunting.
Northern Michigan = Better off just holding still ( they know all the tricks)

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I believe in the future grunt calls for deer will be just like the elk hunting out west, everything will be call shy with everyone and there neighbor bringing one in the woods these days. Half the problem is most don't use them right I believe.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Bingo Steve!

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I have never had luck with either rattling or grunts/bleats/wheezes etc......

or I should say I havent had luck with any of these for about 15-20 years, back when I was starting you could rattle bucks in and I can think of 3 times I grunted bucks in, but the last few years, no luck, I am starting to believe that there is some truth to the deer becoming 'call shy'.........

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I have grunted them in but never have rattled one in. Grunts seem to work very well for me early in the season.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

It definetly is a numbers game i'll 1 for 10,through out the season, I start carrying my horns mid sept and then feel like i've forgotten something if i have left them behind.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I have had, what I would say "good" success with rattling. I NEVER rattle when I can see something though, I am too scared to screw it up!

I have found that I get better results, in open fields. I have a theory that deer do not like to come to rattling in the woods, because they cannot see very well. In the fields, they can see a ways, and feel more secure.

But, who really knows? :D

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I have tried it in the past but I stay away from rattling now. Last thing I want is a buck looking for mewhile hunting onthe ground... plus it is too much movement.

Tyler likes to rattle a little and uses a grunt call.He doesn'tdo it a lot though.

Tim

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

ratling will work in just about every pre-rut rut scenario in just about every region in the US and possibly beyond. it works best if one has a good buck to doe ratio. Ive been fortunate enough to have been able to kill a few bucks that I have rattled in. Last year I was not. Pre-rut, its best not to crash the ratling antlers or bag. Just tickle them a little bit, this works best for me in late sept-mid oct in open feeding areas. Late Oct-Mid Nov Is when I start getting a little more aggressive. I start out light just incase theres a buck bedded near by. No matter what time of the season I rattle, I keep the same sequence. I will ratlle for up to 2 minutes, pause for 8 minutes, rattle 2 minutes pause for 10 minutes, and then repeat. During the aggressive sequence I try to get a good strong break apart. Another tip I learned over the years by reading and talking with some of the pros is that real antlers work best. Most use a good 8 point with the brow tines cut off and sanded smooth where the browtines would be, this will keep you from pinching your fingers. I also learned that soaking the real bone in water for 24 hours before use really holds the natural sounds of the antlers, then soak them once the sound starts to chage. This is what I have learned over the years of ratling.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

As some have already said, buck to doe ratio is key. If bucks don't have to compete for doe's they don't have to fight, so rattling won't work. In my area where we have a 10 doe to one buck ratio, rattling will only spook the deer.;)

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I haven't had much luck in Illinois with rattling either. The only place I did was in the area I currently live when I used to hunt it, outside of that I can't get any notable response when rattling. I have seen a few of the deer in my area with busted tines from fighting but a lot og the bucs I have taken show no sign of fighting damage on their racks.
I might need a rattling seminar

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I am terrible at rattling so I guess no I dont finish with the perfect ending but I can see what you mean

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Do you take rattling horns to Alberta ?

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

I wouldn't go up there without them! The buck to doe ratio is very close where I hunt (Edmonton Bow Zone), probably 2or3 doe to one buck. Some days you'll see more buck than doe! Rattling works very well here because there is competitionto breed.I've rattled inseveralbucks, but getting ashot opp is a different story.;)I didn't rattle in the one I killed in '06 though.

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

well, Early kinda answered my question, I have never rattled anything in here in NC - guess the buck to doe ratio is why - seems like several things are different in this area

RE: The perfect ending to rattling
 

Nope never rattled one in but that dang can sure has worked for me.