rattling in north VAhunting the rut?
 

Anyone ever have any success with rattling in the nova area? Ive always thought it to be a thing which best works on game ranches out in texas, so i havent messed around with it.

I haven't tried it and don't plan to. I don't know anyone in this area that does. I think the deer density is too low, and/or the buck-to-doe ratio is too low, for there to be much actual buck combat in the woods.

I've seen a serious buck fight in the woods a few years back in NoVa. Hot doe runs through the woods. Couple of small bucks come through a few minutes later then two big guys converge on her path about 100 yds from my stand. They went at it for about thirty seconds. It was very violent but fun to watch.

Let me start by saying I do not hunt in northern VA. I hunt the southern part of the state along the NC/VA border. I have seen rattling work in my area and I bet it would in yours too. It does not work every time by any stretch but I say give it a shot. Don't be too aggressive with it and see what happens. Given the right time and place you may just call a buck in.

I haven't had it work a lot in the urban areas of nova but have seen several buck fights in the area. I guess it depends on what you consider nova? Some people consider Fauquier and Culpepper Counties, etc as nova and I have had some success with rattling there. I always do some light tickling of the antlers during the seasons. I figure it can't hurt since it is a natural sound they does occur in the deer woods.

Rattling works in central va, and should work anywhere else bucks would fight. I'm always worried about rattling too early in the season, but if your having a slow morning there is nothing to lose.