Rattling In.
#2

My dad uses real antlers from a 8 with the brow tines (?) cut off so he doesn't smash his knuckles up. I use a rattle bag if I sit by myself (rarely). Haven't noticed any real difference in the success.
#5

For the most part, the only time the bag is better than the real thing is when you're sitting in a tree,especially whenyou don't have much cover or there's a deer nearby that might bust you. The bag is much easier to use in a stealthy manner.
#7

I have used the bag with some success but I would prefer to have a set of real ones. There is something about the real thing that I must have. I gave my nephew a shed I was going to use this year and like most things with 8 yr. old kids......he cant seem to find it! I am at a cross roads but I think I will go back to the bag. Remember soft is better than a train reck!
#9

I have had success with the rattling bag. Easy to carry and not as dangerous as antlers. Having a good buck doe ratio is really the key. If there is competition then they will come in to almost anything that sounds like 2 bucks sparring. I stamp and break some brush to simulate the actual fight. Having good wind control is key. They will usually come in from down wind so they often will bust you without you even knowing it worked.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: White Plains, MD
Posts: 77

I thought if you were useing sheds or even a rack from an old kill that the tone of the antlers changed with time adn that you had to get a fresh set or soak them in water or something else like that.....and as a result it was better to use the plastic ones that imitatied the real tone?