rattling
 

has anybody had success rattling and what is the key to it, i'm looking for answers from people in the northern part mass,ver,new hamp,maine

RE: rattling
 

I don't know much of the science behind rattling, but sometimes I think that there's little that scientific about it. I have had great success with it in years past. I had four seasons in a row where I killed decent bucks by rattling them in. There was no mistaking their approach in response to the horns, either. They literally came running in. One morning I rattled 5 bucks in at separate times within a 1 1/2 hour period. I personally think the buck:doe ratio and the timing of your calling has the most impact on response. The more bucks around, the greater the competition, the greater the response. Rattling during the 3 weeks prior to the rut has been my most successful time. I usually rattle for about 45 - 60 seconds, and I typically rattle as loud as I can, with varing vigor. The further the sound carries, the greater the chance it will reach the ears of an eager buck.

That's my approach. Like I said, I don't think it's as scientific as some may claim. My grampa once shot a buck while sitting around a camp fire after it ran toward the sound of him blowing his nose. I'm sure there are many rattling methods that will work. Being within earshot of a buck is the most important factor. No buck, no response. However, no rattling, no response either. Gotta give it a try.

RE: rattling
 

I have used it with minimal results in NH and Mass. I have brought bucks in from time to time, but the percentage of tries to success is very low. Maybe 1 buck to 40-50 rattling sequences. In the early season it is MUCH easier to rattle in Bull moose than deer, that's for sure.

That being said, I have shot 2 deer that were a result of rattling. 1 was a trolling rattle, the other the buck was out of range but seen and I used it to bring him in. Which is the main reason I still bother to carry them in, I don't rattle much at all now.. but if I see a buck that is just way to far away and he's not coming any closer I will use the horns as a last ditch effort to lure him in if the grunt tube and "can" don't work.

In Iowa last year though ... I rattled multiple bucks during the rut to within a 100 yards of the house I was staying at. I'd recommend saving the rattling for the areas with deer crawling all over them, and use them more as a last attempt to turn a buck here in the Northeast. I've seen as many deer around here walk away as come in to them.

RE: rattling
 

Using real bone antlers, I have rattled in several bucks and killed four as a result of coming in to a rattle.

I once had a large buck come down on the other side of a river and was headed away from me. I hit the bones and he turned and cleared the river so fast and was in my zone so quickly, I was not able to get into the shooting position I needed to before he was upon me. As I tried turn in my stand, a loop on my rubber boots twanged a stand cable. I witnessed why he was a big and mature buck. He left in the blink of an eye.

I only use the antlers in the post-rut and rut period.

Of course, my experience with rattling has been mostly in Illinois. ;)

RE: rattling
 

The vast majority of the time I have rattled have resulted in very few sightings. I emphasize sightings because it's certainly possible in the thick areas I seek out for a buck to come in unseen by me. On the few times that I HAVE rattled in bucks, they were HUGE and looking for a fight. The buck/doe ratio in my area is so out of whack that there's very little competition for the does.