I am thinking about using a decoy and doing some rattling and grunting. Do you think it is worth it in the early season? Or am I gonna spook them?

I plan on using a buck decoy in early/mid October..grunting and rattling. The last week of October I'll take the antlers off and start using Tinks 69 on scent wicks around the decoy.

Opening day here in CT is the 15th of Sep, I've read a lot of things about how deer are normally curious animals, some people say to grunt, and rattle, anytime...others say that you should wait until pre-rut. I for one am going with a friend, and I am going to give it a try this year and see what happens at least through the morning. I'll let you know if it does any good or not.

sounds like a plan just make sure you have a decoy that has movable ears and tail deer arent stupid they can tell the diffrence when i deer isnt moving at all and standing still looking off into space.

I think the deer will respond to grunts and rattling in the first couple weeks of October. I read a great article on deer vocalizations and it had a chart of what calls works best durring a specific period of the rut. I'll post the link just as soon as I can locate it.

I have seen MANY deer with broken racks in early October. I've seen sparring in Early oct on a couple of occasions as well. They are always claiming dominancy at all times of the year. I once read an article in D&DH and it showed two large bucks doing battle while they were in full Velvet. Author said is was quite a site and sound. It was a muffled battle because of the velvet. I wouldn't go hard core rattling. I think the article was just issolated incodent. Maybe just soft touches to the antlers. Same with the grunt. Light soft buck grunts. Spark some curiosity in the deer. Also, I do believe in decoys as well. I think they can be very effective when combined with calling and scents. May help close the deal. Of corse it can always backfire.....for no reason at all. Anyway, good luck, and I say give it a try.

Jay

I've actually seen bucks sparring and heard the occassional grunt on opening day here (Sept 15th).

Having said that, I don't think you elicit a positive response to antler rattling much before mid-October at the earliest. I'll carry the grunt (and bleat) call, but only to use in an attempt to turn a buck that's staying out of range. Late in Oct and early to mid -November are best for rattling and grunt calls.

A link as promised Deer talk 101

http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/featu...deergrunt.html

Cool web sight. Thanks adams.

wow...great site adams. Wish I had sound on my computer. Will have to check that out when I get home.

J