new guy at the site
 

Hey, I am brand new here, and I really like the site. I was wondering if anyone could give me a tip on calling in bucks with a call (not antlers). Mine can either bleat or grunt, which is better and is there any patterns that work best?

Thank you.

RE: new guy at the site
 

Welcome, all are welcome. Anyway, I have been trying calls but have yet to bring in a deer using one.

Good luck....

Tomster

RE: new guy at the site
 

Bleats and grunts can both be effective. It' s all based on timing, yours and the deer.

Never call to a deer that is already headed in your direction. If they are passing you by out of range and it' s apparent they won' t turn around, then it' s time to call. Let out a soft grunt that you think will be barely audible to a moving deer at the distance. If he cares to hear you he' ll stop and look your way. Blow one more, softer this time, and he' ll come in.

I think calls are great too have and have worked well for me. I can also tell you from experience that they are overused. I now keep mine in my zipped up fanny pack. If I don' t have the time or the ability to get the call out without the deer seeing me, I didn' t need it in the first place.

I rarely " Blind Call" , that is call without first seeing the deer.

RE: new guy at the site
 

Welcome to the board.I dont use them anymore. Seems the suburban Pa .bucks are sissies.when you grunt they run away. I think it is because there are so many doe in this area finding a hot doe is easy and they dont need to compete.Are does are many and very loose

RE: new guy at the site
 

Ive had success with grunting, sometimes they will come in other times they will turn and run.

good luck

RE: new guy at the site
 

Welcome to the site!

I have had a lot of success using calls. Actually, I have tried many calls and only had results with one in particular, but it works great. Never had a buck grunt work for me, but I have had many responses to a doe bleat. Some deer (especially small bucks) will shy away from dominant buck grunts, so I don' t use those. Doe bleat or contact grunts are all I use.

RE: new guy at the site
 

I agree that visual calling is probably the best way to start and then you can judge reaction of deer to particular calls. However blind calling when you hear a deer in a position that won' t warn him(down wind/cross wind) to your location can also be effective. I have actually had the best results with a grunt, but I only use calls when I have a visual or when rattling. Also it should be noted if you see a deer you don' t intend to harvest Don' t call him, deer will pin point your location and if you let him or her bust you it may ruin a chance at what is waiting in the wings. Over calling is a common mistake as is being to aggressive, I would suggest contact grunts or bleats if blind calling and keep your calls spaced out 15-20 minutes apart.

PS Welcome to the board.:)

RE: new guy at the site
 

welcome. During the rut, i' ll bleat and follow it with about 3 or 4 grunts. Like a buck trailing a doe. Hope this helps, good luck.