Rattling For Bucks

[Iroquois]

I stated rattling 2 years ago. Most of the rattling took place the first week of November and continued into late season in December. I had moderate responses and some success on public land (where deer densities are low). I'm going to try rattling next week. Has anybody rattled this early? Has it been successfull for you? Looking forward toward everyone's imput.

 

[Rakkin6]

I stated rattling 2 years ago. Most of the rattling took place the first week of November and continued into late season in December. I had moderate responses and some success on public land (where deer densities are low). I'm going to try rattling next week. Has anybody rattled this early? Has it been successfull for you? Looking forward toward everyone's imput.

If you are using real antlers just tickle them together or go really light. In my experience 75% of the time they will circle around to come in from downwind. Personally I do a sequence of three. I will rattle for about 90 seconds then stop and give a couple grunts and wait a couple minutes and look around. I will do that three times in a row and then not rattle again for an hour or so. When it gets closer to the end of October begining of November I get more aggressive and run the antlers up and down the tree I am in of there are branches nearby I will use those also. Throw a doe blest in with the grunts closer to the rut.

 

[Iroquois]

If you are using real antlers just tickle them together or go really light. In my experience 75% of the time they will circle around to come in from downwind. Personally I do a sequence of three. I will rattle for about 90 seconds then stop and give a couple grunts and wait a couple minutes and look around. I will do that three times in a row and then not rattle again for an hour or so. When it gets closer to the end of October begining of November I get more aggressive and run the antlers up and down the tree I am in of there are branches nearby I will use those also. Throw a doe blest in with the grunts closer to the rut.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[30-06 type of guy]

I stated rattling 2 years ago. Most of the rattling took place the first week of November and continued into late season in December. I had moderate responses and some success on public land (where deer densities are low). I'm going to try rattling next week. Has anybody rattled this early? Has it been successfull for you? Looking forward toward everyone's imput.

I always do. You have till tickle them this early but you can be successful. 9/10 it's going to be young bucks and does being nosey but I always see that as good decoys if they'll stick around. October 6 last season i had 2 bucks sparring in a bean, i hit the horns a few times and they finally came my way. Pulled the shot too far forward tho but what I didn't see was the bigger buck that was hugging the field edge and popped out about a minute after my shot.

 

[Ski]

Yep it works well early season. They've got brand new head gear and are eager to test it.

 

[Iroquois]

I always do. You have till tickle them this early but you can be successful. 9/10 it's going to be young bucks and does being nosey but I always see that as good decoys if they'll stick around. October 6 last season i had 2 bucks sparring in a bean, i hit the horns a few times and they finally came my way. Pulled the shot too far forward tho but what I didn't see was the bigger buck that was hugging the field edge and popped out about a minute after my shot.

Thanks! Very helpful.

 

[Iroquois]

Yep it works well early season. They've got brand new head gear and are eager to test it.

Thank you sir!

 

[redblood]

It could work, but is usually better in the pre rut. I have rattled in lots of bucks. Only one , in late october of 2020, was worth shooting. Usually 1.5 and 2.5s come in and wont leave

 

[HOOK]

Thanks for the insight!

Same. I emulate what I see in the field. Early November, they're not having drawn out battles. It's mostly immature deer that are playing immature games and just testing each other out with lite tickles.