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How to use a typical grunt call

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How to use a typical grunt call

Old 08-22-2011, 03:50 PM
  #1  
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Default How to use a typical grunt call

As a new hunter, I'm not familiar with the way to use a grunt call. It seems easy enough but my biggest question is... Do you just blow into it or do you buzz your lips as if you were playing a brass instrument? Any and all other tips and recommendations in using a grunt call are welcome!
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Old 08-22-2011, 06:49 PM
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Depends on the circumstances..

Early season blind calling, just 3-4, soft 1-2sec urrrps.
I start calling about 10 minutes before shooting light about every half hour or so until 10am, by then bucks are most likely bedded.

Early season sight calling, quite short urrrrp until he responds, increase the volume if necessary until he reacts by stopping or looking, then stop, hit it again if he walks away.
But once he's out of site don't do it again, some bucks will circle back on a call.


Halloween on and through the rut I get loud, just to the point before it starts to sound like a duck call.
I'll also throw in longer urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrps combined with clicks, I make clicks by popping my lips against the tube forcing short burst of air through the tube, also popping your tongue against the roof of your mouth works.

If you've heard some bucks that are all frenzied up, you'd swear the sounds had to be fake, especially when on a doe that won't capitulate.

It's like people though, they all have a unique sound.
Keep your ear to the ground, most bucks unless they are bawling/growling I can only hear them within 50 yards.
Some bucks grunt every step, some grunt every 4-6 steps or when they stop.
And I rarely hear bucks grunting before Halloween, but it doesn't stop me from calling before then.

Practice practice practice, experiment on deer you see, get a feel for the volume it takes to illicit a response.

Get on youtube and search buck grunts, it'll help some.

Last edited by onion721; 08-22-2011 at 07:04 PM.
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Old 08-24-2011, 06:34 AM
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Got an app for my android that plays the different grunt calls. Pretty interesting app that I can take with me. Usefull to practice with to see how close I match. It is called whitetail hunting calls and is on the android market. Might help the OP out with using the caller. Good Luck.
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Old 08-26-2011, 04:59 PM
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Some grunt calls also have different settings on their calls where You move the rubber O-rings to different notches on the plastic piece below the reed for Mature Buck,Young Buck,Doe or Doe in Estrous...other calls have the flexible black tube at the end of the caller where You can leave it in close to the tube or stretch it out-ward to make a deeper grunting sound.


Most Companies that sell the Gurnt Tubes have a small disc that goes along with it so You can practice and get good on sounding like a Buck or Doe!Then there's the Snort-Wheeze Calls that get the attention of a Buck that might have strayed away from You and casues it to come bacl for a Challenge/Fight.....some times it can work against You and scare a Deer off so timing is of essence and doing it right can make a big difference.I also like to do a little light rattling when the Bucks are sparring or during the Rut when it can also help You draw a nice Buck in close for a shot!
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Old 08-26-2011, 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by vapahunter
Got an app for my android that plays the different grunt calls. Pretty interesting app that I can take with me. Usefull to practice with to see how close I match. It is called whitetail hunting calls and is on the android market. Might help the OP out with using the caller. Good Luck.
That's all good but, like here in New York, electronic calls for deer are ILLEGAL! So make sure ya' check your local regs! Another way that a grunt could be used is if you happen to make some unwanted noise on your way to the stand before daylight. A few grunts may lead a deer to believe it's just HIS COMPETITION! in that case, get in the stand and get ready! Good luck. Play it by ear.
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Old 08-27-2011, 09:04 AM
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Here is an excertpt from my Complete Whitetail Addict's Manual, it is copyrighted, and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission of the author. I gve permission for this site to publish it here.

I h ope it helps some of you.


Attracting Deer with Calls
Deer calls fall into five basic categories; Alarm/Distress, Agonistic (aggressive), Maternal/Neonatal (doe/fawn), Mating, and Contact. Alarm/Distress, Agonistic, and Maternal/Neonatal calls have limited use by their very nature. Contact calls are used by deer to let their presence be known and to locate other deer, they work well to attract deer at any time. Mating calls are used primarily during the rut and can be used successfully at that time to attract deer.
Alarm/Distress
Alarm/Distress calls are used to alert other deer of danger or used by deer when they are injured, trapped or afraid, which causes them to become cautious or come to the aid of the deer performing the call. The Alarm Snort is used to alert other deer of possible danger, usually when a deer sees, smells or hears a predator or something unknown. I use the Alarm Snort when a deer snorts or stamps its foot after it discovers me, or when it is alarmed by the sight, scent or sound of me. If the deer does not immediately flee I snort back, imitating another alarmed deer. Deer that hear a snort in response to their own snort often mistake the sight or sound that alerted them for another deer (as long as they don't smell danger). I have had does with fawns come to my snort call, wanting to discover the deer they thought they heard. They often walk into the open for a better look, and stand long enough for a shot. Snorts can also be used while rattling to simulate a fight. The Distress Bawl is used by deer that are hurt or trapped; upon initial injury; or when caught by a predator. The Bawl is a call for help and may attract maternal does and sometimes young bucks out of curiosity. I have had does leave their own young to investigate a long, drawn out Distress Bawl.
Maternal/Neonatal
The Maternal/Neonatal calls are used by the doe and its fawns to communicate with each other. The Maternal Grunt sounds much like any other grunt, and is used by the doe to tell the fawn it is near or used to locate the fawn for feeding. Because it sounds similar to other grunts the Maternal Grunt will attract any deer, especially bucks during the rut. The Fawn Mew is used by a fawn as a response to the Maternal Grunt, or it is used when the fawn wants attention. The Bleat is a louder form of the Mew and is given when the fawn wants urgent attention (used as a fawn version of the distress call), or when it wants to be fed. The Nursing Whine is performed while the fawn is actually nursing. These calls may attract does out of maternal instinct, and young deer or small bucks out of curiosity.
Agonistic Calls
The Grunt is the first level of aggression, but it is used by all deer regularly and will attract any deer, especially bucks of all ages throughout the rut. The Grunt-Snort is the next level of aggression and is used primarily by bucks during the breeding season in buck encounters. Because it often occurs when two bucks are in conflict over an estrus doe it will attract bucks, especially dominants, from the time velvet is shed until the end of the second breeding phase. The Grunt-Snort can be used in conjunction with rattling to simulate a fight or a buck making a rage rub. The Grunt-Snort-Wheeze is the highest level of aggression and is performed primarily by bucks before a charge, leg kick or fight. It may scare off lesser bucks, while attracting a dominant when used near its rubs and scrapes, or it can be used to stop a buck with an estrus doe. the Grunt-Snort-Wheeze is best used when hunting only for dominant bucks, from the time they shed their velvet through the late breeding period.
Mating Calls
Because Mating calls are associated with breeding they may attract any buck looking for a doe, especially dominants wanting to find out what other buck is in the area. The Tending Grunt is performed when a buck is following, or with an estrus doe, warning all other bucks to stay away. I have heard bucks make one short grunt while with a doe; several grunts (almost with every stride); and a long drawn out (7 second) grunt while trotting after a doe. The Flehmen gesture or sniff is performed by a buck when it is inhaling urine to check for estrogen, often while trailing or with a doe. Because both the Tending Grunt and the Flehmen Sniff indicate a nearby estrus doe, most bucks in the area will respond throughout the rut, especially dominants. However, young bucks may avoid the area of this call, fearing an encounter with a dominant buck.
Contact Calls
The Contact Call or Social Grunt is by nature non-threatening, because it is used to locate other deer. Any deer may respond out of curiosity, especially bucks, throughout the rut. In Marchinton's study no doe in heat or doe breeding call was noted, although many call manufacturers contend there is one. The sound of the call they claim is an estrus doe bleat may actually be the Social Grunt, which is louder and longer than normal and is used to locate other deer, therefore it attracts bucks during the rut.

T.R.'s Tips: What Call For Which Deer
Determining what call to use when you are hunting White-tailed Deer is not a matter of which rut phase you are hunting, but which sex and age class of deer you want to attract. Does respond to distress calls and Maternal/Neonatal calls primarily out of maternal instinct. All bucks respond to any call, which may lead them to an estrus doe; a Social Grunt or Low Grunt. Dominant bucks also respond to Mating calls and aggressive grunts out of the desire to exert dominance. Subdominant bucks may respond to these same calls during the breeding phase, but they may not respond because they are afraid of encountering a dominant. If you are hunting for any legal buck it may best not to use mating calls or aggressive grunts.

There are basically four different techniques for calling deer that can be used anytime during the rut. The fourth technique is not as effective during the Rest Phase and Post Rut because the bucks are exhausted, not as aggressive, and not as interested in breeding.

1. Distress Call or Fawn Bawl for does and young bucks.
2. Social Grunt or Low Grunt for any deer.
3. Social/Low/Tending Grunt for all bucks.
4. Social/Low/Tending Grunt or Grunt Snort for dominant bucks.

If you have questions - ask here or e-mail me at [email protected]

God bless,


T.R.
T.R.
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Old 08-29-2011, 06:32 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by PREDATE
That's all good but, like here in New York, electronic calls for deer are ILLEGAL! So make sure ya' check your local regs! Another way that a grunt could be used is if you happen to make some unwanted noise on your way to the stand before daylight. A few grunts may lead a deer to believe it's just HIS COMPETITION! in that case, get in the stand and get ready! Good luck. Play it by ear.
Fully agree that in many states electronic calls are illegal. My intent was to let the OP know that the app would help him get an idea of what the calls sound like so he could practice before hunting season starts. That way he would have an idea what he was doing rather what he has now. I am glad you posted on the legallity of the using the app actually in the woods because I would not want someone to get in trouble from using it.


As Predate has stated check your local regs before using any electronic call in the woods.
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Old 08-29-2011, 07:12 AM
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This may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpaKaGtLkHM
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Old 08-29-2011, 07:33 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by jrbsr

Nice find...
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Old 12-09-2012, 12:33 PM
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Default Electronic calls are LEGAL for deer in New York

Originally Posted by PREDATE
That's all good but, like here in New York, electronic calls for deer are ILLEGAL! So make sure ya' check your local regs!
You are mistaken. Electronic calls are LEGAL in New york.

From the NYSDEC FAQ page (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8310.html)

"Q: Is it legal to use decoys and electronic calls to hunt deer?
A: Both decoys and electronic calls are legal to use for deer hunting in NY. You should exercise caution when transporting a deer decoy to and from the locations in the field. Some hunters wrap a strip of blaze orange material around the decoy when carrying it."

I know this is an old thread, but it's one of the top five Google search results for "electronic call legal deer new york".
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