Antler rattleing
 

Do any of you rattle antlers to lure in deer? Do you think it works? What are your thoughts on rattlein antlers?

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Depends on where your at, and the time of year. I personally think your good anytime before and during the rut on whitetails! I would love to hear the opinions from a seasoned mule deer hunter...Although I don't think I would like their answer!!!!:D

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I know it works!I have been grunting and rattling in deer for
about 20 years now.I have rattled in large bucks and also small
bucks.I have shot some nice bucks by rattling.I will usually grunt
first then pick up horns and rattle for about 45 seconds and then
lay horns down and then grunt about 5 or 6 more times.Get your
gun ready and always wait at least 45 minutes to see if a deer will
come in.I have had them run in with hair standing up and looking for
a fight and also had them come slowly sneaking in.This method mainly
works best during the prerut season.After the prerut I will then switch
over to using a woods wise grunt tube for buck grunts first and then
turn my primos can bleat call upside down 2 times and then just get
ready as this method has also brought me in does and bucks using this
technique.If nothing comes in wait about 30 minutes and repeat the
grunting sequence again.I learned how to rattle and grunt deer in about
20 years ago watching Roger Raglin and Dan Fitzgerald hunting videos.
It will really work so just watch some quality videos to learn the methods
on how to do it.It will not always work but when it does there is no way
that is more exciting.Just remember that rattling is most effective in the
prerut then after that time is over use a grunt tube and a primos can.
Dont give up just practice and believe it works because it does!Good
luck to you. Mike :D:D

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I'm not a big fan of rattling. I will grunt on occasion.
I heard from somewhere, maybe one of my old biology classes or something, that rattling is usualy on effective in areas where the buck-to-doe ratio was as close to 1:1 as possible.

They had a guy at my old hunting camp who swore that he had sat on the tailgate of his truck to eat some crackers, and the sound of the bag brought in a big buck. I've seen the buck, but i dont knowif his story is bs or not.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I have had success with it and actually used a rattle bag. I always have one in my pack and try it when the conditions are right. I like cold crisp mornings with no wind so you can hear them coming. You need a high buck doe ratio like was earlier said.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

i am a big believer in rattling as long as its done at the right time. Last year the last week of the first archery season was perfect. I had a buck come runing to me just at the sound of me climbing up a tree with my climbing treestand. and then at light i hit the the rattle pack and within 5 minutes i had 2 bucks come running in neither came in bow range. then about an hour and a half later i hit the horns and anice sized6 point come running in. if he wasnt illegal i would have nailed him.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

i have used them with not very good success.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I to like to rattle during the pre-rut . I'll get in my stand about 45 min. before light , as soon as i can see my sights on my bow i'll start rattling for about 30 seconds then wait for about 5-10 sec, then i'll sit there and see if i see any thing coming in mainly downwind or hear anything wait for about 15-min then i'l try agian. I'll do this for the first hour if nothing shows i'll wait till the next morn.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Ive never had much success rattleing. Grunting yes but not rattleing...

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I think it depends on where you hunt and how the deer are . Around here the deer wont even grunt but where I hunt a hour south from here ,, Im in Georgia , Thats the only place I have ever herd one grunt . So im not sure about rattleing ive never tried it .

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Why was he illegal?



The 1:1 ratio makes sense biologically since it means bucks would have limited breeding opportunities. Limited opportunites means you hae to work hard to make sure you take advantge of the opportunities you get!

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Thanks for the tip fellas. Archery starts in acouple weeks. I think I will try rattleing this year.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

i have never tried it but i am going to this year, what do you have to lose?

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Gotta be the right time of year but ive had plenty of young buck come in as well as some monsters...I rattle every time i visit the stand. You never know what could happen, so thats y i always do

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Rattleing has its time and place. Sparring vs. fighting!
Learn both of them and when to use them. Pre-rut vs. rut.
You can hear the difference in the sounds of aggression here.
http://www.wideworldofhunting.com/soundsofwhitetail/WhitetailDeerSounds.htm
Don't be afraid to use rattleing but keep your eyes open. They could be standing 75 yards out just watching you.
Good Luck,
Eric
Oh yeh and make sure your gun or bow is ready they may come in quick!

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Got a 140" BC10 point Rack I cut down for rattling.Start Rattling around the middle of October.Don't think I've ever failed to call in at least a couple Bucks.

big rockpile

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Just the thought of what might appear gets me rattling..Post rut really works well plus alot cooler that time of year..

RE: Antler rattleing
 

I have had lots of success just tinkling the antler tips in order to try to give the impression of light sparring during the pre-rut period. This has worked well especially shortly after the velvet has been shed and the bucks are still travelling in their bachelor groups.

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Oh and by the way, i forgot to say knowing the size of bucks you have in the woods you hunt will help out alot, Becouse you don't want to take a big set of antlers out rattling with you if the the bucks in you woods are average size more than likly you scare the of then have lim come in .

RE: Antler rattleing
 

Competition to breed is a must, if the ratio is unbalanced bucks see little need to fight for this right. Assuming the ratio is good rattling is an excellent trick to add to your bag. Pre rut right through to post rut can envoke results. Like most I find pre rut to work really well in combo with sparring simulation though my results have been more immature bucks then mature bucks.BTW, I usesparring the techniquein pre rutforMule Deer and it has worked pretty well. I haven't had much success with rattling Mulie's outside this tech./timeframe.

I find the absolute best time to rattle in mature deer is in the chase phase or late pre rut. While this window is small the result have been great in my area. The key to rattling is setup, I rattle deep in transition as close to the bedding area as possible - I think safety when determining where to hunt. I lalso look for structure such as small meadows, bottle necks, fencelines, etc to set up on. To the rattling itself I grind and twist vs smashing. I start out low toned and low intensity (30-45sec session), I like to add in realismsuch aspawing of the ground and raking of samplings and trees. Grunts, bleats, etc all work in combo with rattling but i make sure to not over use calls either. I wait 15 minutes between sequences and with each time I bring up the intensity and duration slightly, I also start adding in pounding of the ground at the end of the rattling sequence to simulate a deer fleeing after a loss in battle. I pay particular attention to my back door as they like to circle the wagons and have used scents placed in a half moon directly behind my location as a possible mask of my scent to a love sick buck. I will only rattle in one location for 4hour period and never back to back days. Most often then not I rattle between the hours of 10am and 2 pm.

I also have had bucks come in like a freight train and others without a peep, it is because of this that I make my self stay alert and attentive during my rattling attempts. Another reason why 4 hours is the max I have for this technique in one sitting, if i feel myself slipping I stop as i have had more then one deer make a fool out of me while calling. :(

RE: Antler rattleing
 

No matter where you hunt, bucks will have some form of rattling. If you have big bucks you will get fighting and agressive rattling. If you have a small young herd you will get light sparring rattling. No matter what the bucks will rattle just for fun or for dominance. Here is a place to listen to rattling.
http://www.wideworldofhunting.com/soundsofwhitetail/WhitetailDeerSounds.htm
Learn it. It works.......