I have never really done much calling and I want to start this year. I was watching a show on the outdoor channel (cant remember which one) where they claimed grunting and bleating can be productive the entire archery season, not just during the rut. I would have thought it was way to early for either and not started calling until the second half of october. What do you guys think? Can bleating or grunting too early have a adverse effect or is there nothing to lose by trying?

You will get a wide variety of opinions on this topic. Me personally, have in the past used the grunt tube, and the can right from the start of my season. My season started last weekend. I have NEVER had a deer come into any of my calls. This year, I am going to wait until the last part of October, or right before our rut starts, to start using the calls. We will see if this makes a difference.

Thanks Big Daddy, I am leaning towrds waiting until mid october for the grunting and can call.

No one else has an opinion on this one?

Last year in PA, on November 3-5th, during rut, I had a buck doing a snort wheeze, So i got the primos buck roar out and did a snort wheeze back at him and he came running in from about 150 yards to 10 yards under my tree in about 20 seconds flat.. He stopped under my tree and looked directly up at me, then left as fast as he came in... That is the only time I can ever say that i've "called in" a deer... Grunts/bleats... I cant be sure that i've ever had a reaction from...

I usea a grunt call just about all year, maybe the only exception being the first week. It's all about what you grunts and bleats you are going to make. Bleats will work all year round, this is the most common for of communication to deer. Bleating in the early season will attract does, fawns and bucks. I stay away from agressive grunt calls early in the season. There is no sense in trying simulate an aggresive buck juiced up on testosterone will there simply are none out there. I also never do any blind calling with grunts early in the year. If there is a nice buck just out of range, then I'll try a couple sequences of SOFT, very soft, contact grunts. If this does not peak his interest, I leave him be and hope he meanderson by.