I read an article somewhere, but forget what it said exactly, it said either pre or post rut tended to be most effective, it was contrary to the standard perception, whatever that is... pre/post.

it works when it works if you ask me, never had much luck, have rattled in some dinks before.

They say in high doe:buck ratio areas it's less effective, so shoot some does if you have too many for sure, and it may help.

also a buck has to be within hearing distance to rattle in, in the first place.

good luck.

Great story I have never used a call but Im going to buy one. The first time I tried antlers (the first rut here in south il) I brought in a decent six pointer. I was rattling for a minute every 10 minutes. But then I got to thinking what if they are hearing it and they are not knowing where to go so I would do it for about 10 seconds every 30 seconds about 5 times right after the first time I did it trotted in this six pointer so I stopped rattling when I saw him and he never came any closer so I didn't get the shot. But after that I am a true believer in rattling.