I am no expert by no means but I have been rattling for over 25 years. There are certain rules that will help bump up your chances in rattling in a shooter buck. I rattle opening day to closing day. I have had 150 class bucks come in opening week until December so I rattle every time I go every 45 min. I start like two small bucks sparring , although I have had some get by me that I rattled aggressive to get them to return. No its not a thing that will guarantee you a shooter every time you go but instead of hunting just what I can see now I am hunting as far as the deer can hear. I rattle in 12 or more bucks every year some years more, plus I rattle in as many does. It sure is better than just sitting there waiting like a knot on a log. This year if I had chose to I could have killed out the first week all bucks I rattled in so it does work and yea if they can see you well you will be busted. A few rules I try not to break are the 45 min. rule , high on the ridge, rattle easy , rattle 10 sec to 15 sec, shorter is better and for the unbelievers I have rattled with does and small bucks under my stand without spooking them so if done right it will not scare the deer. So if I can up my chances by as much as 10% and not spook the deer then I am all in .
