I'm wanting to try it again. Can you guys share any experiences you had rattling?
Rattling TN bucks
- Thread starter timberjack86
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deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
Rattled some in here and there. Generally late October. Don't really and haven't really done it in a while. Always use real antlers imo.
Shed Hunter
Well-Known Member
I've rattled in a lot of bucks. My biggest was from rattling. I'm pretty sure I bumped him out going in and rattled and he snuck back downwind
Always plan on them coming in downwind of you. It won't always happen, but plan on it. I rattle when it's quiet right at daybreak. Rattle loud
Always plan on them coming in downwind of you. It won't always happen, but plan on it. I rattle when it's quiet right at daybreak. Rattle loud
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Rakkin6
Well-Known Member
I have had decent results with it. I always do it in sets of three. The first set I will start out light, kind of tickling the antlers together and running more than smashing them. I do this for about a minute to two minutes then pause for a couple minutes. Has soon as I quit I always give a couple grunts between sets. By the third set I am hitting them together pretty hard and if there is a branch next to me in my treestand I will run the antlers up and down or threw any leaves still on the branch. Usually at the end of the third set I throw in a snort wheeze. Like @Shed Hunter said expect them to come in from down wind. I would say at least 75% of the time that's been the case for me. But have your head on a swivel and don't move fast. In between sets I try to scan using my eyes as much as possible and really slow head turns. Lots of times they will be circling in from upwind trying to get downwind to get a sniff. Been busted a couple times moving to quick and the deer circling around me trying to get downwind.
The rattle bags and stuff work but if you can get a set of 120" 130" sheds nothing beats the real thing.
The rattle bags and stuff work but if you can get a set of 120" 130" sheds nothing beats the real thing.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I've had good results that turned bad. With the limited visibility we have on our place (narrow ridges with steep drop-offs on both sides, as well as lots of thick brush), the bucks that respond get in close downwind before I realize they're there. Sometimes they bolt. Sometimes they sit and watch, and you end up bust them as you're getting out of your stand.
30-06 type of guy
Well-Known Member
If you don't have a real set that you like then I'd buy the black rack antlers. I rattled from opening day of bow season til I'm done. A lot of trial and error for me but I've found what has worked for me.
Early season all you need to do is just a little tickle. If it's a morning hunt tickle them whenever you can see 10-20 yards and then maybe once again and later on. I find that early season does love to come in to them and see what's up and if I'm lucky enough a buck will show with them.
Pre rut/ rut same thing for morning hunt but you can start to clang them together a little harder but nothing like you see in the Midwest hunting videos. I've had more deer blow and haul the other way. Don't go all out brawl mode, just a good little 5-10 secs let off a few seconds and go back at it again. Make it a 30sec to a min sequence. During this time I'll hit them every 30min or so
I don't say this just because I see deer after I rattle, I say this because they come in stop and look around for the fight and or come to the base of my tree and look in circles. Yes a lot of them are scrubby bucks but if they respond then I'm pretty confident I can make the right one respond if I can reach his ears.
Few pics of the ones I know I've rattled and killed.
Early season all you need to do is just a little tickle. If it's a morning hunt tickle them whenever you can see 10-20 yards and then maybe once again and later on. I find that early season does love to come in to them and see what's up and if I'm lucky enough a buck will show with them.
Pre rut/ rut same thing for morning hunt but you can start to clang them together a little harder but nothing like you see in the Midwest hunting videos. I've had more deer blow and haul the other way. Don't go all out brawl mode, just a good little 5-10 secs let off a few seconds and go back at it again. Make it a 30sec to a min sequence. During this time I'll hit them every 30min or so
I don't say this just because I see deer after I rattle, I say this because they come in stop and look around for the fight and or come to the base of my tree and look in circles. Yes a lot of them are scrubby bucks but if they respond then I'm pretty confident I can make the right one respond if I can reach his ears.
Few pics of the ones I know I've rattled and killed.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
The best luck I've had are the first 2 weeks of bow season, which is right after velvet shed. I just tickle them. They are on the move and exploring their fall ranges. Just seems they have an "open mindset" to things
Many years ago I used a rattle bag after those things first came out to rattle in a nice 3.5 yr old 8 pt in Montgomery Co. I heard him run in with a big oak tree hiding him all the way in. I was on the ground. I shot him when he poked his head around the tree at 15 yds looking for the other bucks.
I rattle a lot. It works. As already mentioned expect them to come down wind. I can't really say I've ever been too obnoxious with it. Whenever I think I've got be looking like a complete fool is just about when a good one comes in.
Also expect does and fawns to come in. In my experience everybody wants to see what the excitement is about.
Also expect does and fawns to come in. In my experience everybody wants to see what the excitement is about.
I had decent luck years ago when I could find a hard barrier that was downwind to put my back against, like a river or creek bluff, or tried to make sure that anywhere downwind of my location was an open field. Most bucks didn't like exposing themselves in the open to get downwind, but you can bet that that's what they'll try to do.
From the mid to late 80's til around the early 2000's, I'd have bet that between a rattle bag and grunt tube I could call in some bucks.
These days I choose to just keep as quiet as possible.
From the mid to late 80's til around the early 2000's, I'd have bet that between a rattle bag and grunt tube I could call in some bucks.
These days I choose to just keep as quiet as possible.
I've never tried to rattle anything in but after hearing the noise 2 bucks makes fighting 50 or so yards into a thicket that I couldn't see I'm still amazed that it's not more common for people to hear them
DomG
Well-Known Member
Two hunter team works the best IMO; where the noise maker is positioned 10-25 yards behind the shooter...or where the shooter moves between the buck and the noise maker.
The idea being the buck is focused on the distant noise and is more-easily ambushed as he walks past the shooter.
Works great with Elk too.
Using knowledge of the animals location, pattern (rub line), and/or the wind direction really helps.
Not only do the antlers rattle, they rub brush, their hooves stomp, kick soil, and they grunt while earning the right to reproduce...
Light sparring in early season, all out brawles during the rut(s).
The idea being the buck is focused on the distant noise and is more-easily ambushed as he walks past the shooter.
Works great with Elk too.
Using knowledge of the animals location, pattern (rub line), and/or the wind direction really helps.
Not only do the antlers rattle, they rub brush, their hooves stomp, kick soil, and they grunt while earning the right to reproduce...
Light sparring in early season, all out brawles during the rut(s).
That's right. The commotion they make is far beyond anything a guy can replicate from the stand. You can't be too obnoxious.
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
I've been fortunate to see a fight a couple times between bigger deer. Its unbelievable how aggressive it actually is. They try to kill each other.
Have rattled up some and as others have said do it when woods are quite & expect them downwind. However, be prepared at any time for one to charge in, wind be damned.
As @Ski said you can't make too much noise.Have only seen two real knock down drag outs in 55+ years. One in IL with two giants in cornfield about 250 yds. Of course I was bow hunting. The other was 4 years ago on Dec 11 in Wayne Co. Two mature bruisers popped out of hollow in front of me in thinned pines. They were bristled up and circling each other 40 yards from me, then WHAM, it was on. No give in either one of them, bushes were mashed flat & saplings broken. Fought so hard they'd have to take a break, staring at each other while struggling to get their breath. Eyes rolled back in head & necks twisted so much I was expecting one to break.Went on for 15 minutes and if you've ever been in a slug fest, that feels like a lifetime. Finally the 10 gave in and trotted off about 5 yards with head hanging down and gasping. The big 8 stumbled back down the hollow. 10- 15 minutes later I saw him going up hill following a doe. The 10 stayed there looking their direction for a long while then finally eased off .
It was an experience of a lifetime & I never picked up my rifle. Thanked the Lord for the show and got down out of stand.
As @Ski said you can't make too much noise.Have only seen two real knock down drag outs in 55+ years. One in IL with two giants in cornfield about 250 yds. Of course I was bow hunting. The other was 4 years ago on Dec 11 in Wayne Co. Two mature bruisers popped out of hollow in front of me in thinned pines. They were bristled up and circling each other 40 yards from me, then WHAM, it was on. No give in either one of them, bushes were mashed flat & saplings broken. Fought so hard they'd have to take a break, staring at each other while struggling to get their breath. Eyes rolled back in head & necks twisted so much I was expecting one to break.Went on for 15 minutes and if you've ever been in a slug fest, that feels like a lifetime. Finally the 10 gave in and trotted off about 5 yards with head hanging down and gasping. The big 8 stumbled back down the hollow. 10- 15 minutes later I saw him going up hill following a doe. The 10 stayed there looking their direction for a long while then finally eased off .
It was an experience of a lifetime & I never picked up my rifle. Thanked the Lord for the show and got down out of stand.
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I've actually seen two different fights , called in one after they broke loose , a 10 point which I think was the winner of the fight but loser to my 7mm. mag . Wish I could've got him on a video but hard to do that with the rifle in your arms .
When they broke loose one ran down off the ridge with the other in tow so I thought about my rattling antlers (real ) hanging nearby . I grabbed them up and started banging them pretty good . Did about three sets then hung them back up . Also grunted a few times .
First I heard a twig snap , from the direction the two bucks ran . I readied my rifle and up the ridge came one of the bucks ...a 10 point I mentioned earlier . He was in like a stiff leg walk kinda like a Tennessee walker . He was mad and you could see it , looking for that other buck . Every step was like I'm king and fixing to whoop your arse !! His ears were back like a cat fixing to fight . Kinda hated shooting him ...with the show he put on ...but didn't hate it too bad
I usually bring my rattling antlers most every time I go into my hunting area . I can only say I've rattled in two different bucks for sure but others I've killed could of been a victim to my rattling .
One thing I'd suggest though as others have said bucks will generally try to come in downwind but not always ....be alert and try not to get caught rattling . If a buck catches you all you did was educate him . They also will be on alert so watch your movement . You will be surprised at the accuracy of how a buck can hone in to a particular sound once they get in close . Once he realizes the sound is in a tree he'll back out knowing it's not his advisory.
When they broke loose one ran down off the ridge with the other in tow so I thought about my rattling antlers (real ) hanging nearby . I grabbed them up and started banging them pretty good . Did about three sets then hung them back up . Also grunted a few times .
First I heard a twig snap , from the direction the two bucks ran . I readied my rifle and up the ridge came one of the bucks ...a 10 point I mentioned earlier . He was in like a stiff leg walk kinda like a Tennessee walker . He was mad and you could see it , looking for that other buck . Every step was like I'm king and fixing to whoop your arse !! His ears were back like a cat fixing to fight . Kinda hated shooting him ...with the show he put on ...but didn't hate it too bad
I usually bring my rattling antlers most every time I go into my hunting area . I can only say I've rattled in two different bucks for sure but others I've killed could of been a victim to my rattling .
One thing I'd suggest though as others have said bucks will generally try to come in downwind but not always ....be alert and try not to get caught rattling . If a buck catches you all you did was educate him . They also will be on alert so watch your movement . You will be surprised at the accuracy of how a buck can hone in to a particular sound once they get in close . Once he realizes the sound is in a tree he'll back out knowing it's not his advisory.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Rattling does work. However, hunters want to also be a whole in the woods. Rattling brings all the attention right to your tree. So these two tactics are juxtaposed. Knowing when to use each is what hunting is all about. Hone into your environment and visualize where that buck is at that moment and what his frame of mind might be. Think about where he would come from and make sure you can see that direction well. Afterwords remain as still as you would if you were looking at the buck approaching because he might be. Have confidence in your rattling as though you really are two bucks fighting. Most encounters are not long fights. Would you want to wander into a street fight? Besides you don't want to be banging antlers together when he shows up. Right when dawn is breaking sound carries best and bucks will be on their feet. As long as you can see well enough this is a good time.
Can it work? Yes. Is it the magic sauce as portrayed on hunting videos NO!!!!
90% of the time it hurts you.
Mistakes.
1. Wrong location. You rattle and an interested deer investigates (doe, buck). IF your location is too open, the deer can look from cover, not see 2 deer fighting and say "heck no! " and ease back off without you ever knowing they are there. Non target deer can be attracted and bust you alerting the rest of the woods that something fishy is going on even with a great stand location. Even if its your target, they can wait you out, circle down wind, or just not want to expose themselves until you make a mistake (move, grunt, rattle, eat a little debbie) and they bust you.
2. Wrong time of year. Early season bucks aren't having fights to the death. A tv show rattle fest will freak most bucks out.
3. Mature bucks often are loners and got old and big by avoiding other deer. They probably wont be attracted to the sounds of a riot in the woods. Picture yourself in Memphis and you hear screaming and gunfire, you probably will go back inside your hotel and lock the door.
Over 10 years of rattling, Most of my success has been does (came in stomping) or young bucks. On the rare occasion an older buck responded, they have been very cautious and of the 2 I have killed after rattling, they were both with a doe. SO did the buck respond to the rattling? or did the doe drag the buck in ? Or would they have come by anyway because my stand was in a historically great location? No way to tell.
90% of the time it hurts you.
Mistakes.
1. Wrong location. You rattle and an interested deer investigates (doe, buck). IF your location is too open, the deer can look from cover, not see 2 deer fighting and say "heck no! " and ease back off without you ever knowing they are there. Non target deer can be attracted and bust you alerting the rest of the woods that something fishy is going on even with a great stand location. Even if its your target, they can wait you out, circle down wind, or just not want to expose themselves until you make a mistake (move, grunt, rattle, eat a little debbie) and they bust you.
2. Wrong time of year. Early season bucks aren't having fights to the death. A tv show rattle fest will freak most bucks out.
3. Mature bucks often are loners and got old and big by avoiding other deer. They probably wont be attracted to the sounds of a riot in the woods. Picture yourself in Memphis and you hear screaming and gunfire, you probably will go back inside your hotel and lock the door.
Over 10 years of rattling, Most of my success has been does (came in stomping) or young bucks. On the rare occasion an older buck responded, they have been very cautious and of the 2 I have killed after rattling, they were both with a doe. SO did the buck respond to the rattling? or did the doe drag the buck in ? Or would they have come by anyway because my stand was in a historically great location? No way to tell.
From opening day of bow to the last day I will rattle hard and loud, usually just in the morning until about 10am
opening day of bow in 2015 I shot a big 10pt that was fighting like it was mid Nov. He was fighting a nice 8pt. They fought for over 30 minutes and I couldn't really see them I though they were the man on the property next to me messing with his tractor GLAD I DIDN'T LEAVE.
I seen 2 really nice bucks in 2012 fighting hard in the road with snow on the ground in Cades cove.
I rattle hard and loud very short breaks 20-30 minutes at a time.
I try very hard not to rattle where I don't have much visibility. I rattled a smaller 10pt in last year but he came in 75yds up the hill from me, I only know that because of the camera I had up the hill.
I use a rattle bag, it has about 8 pieces of pine about 3/4" wide each about 6"long.
opening day of bow in 2015 I shot a big 10pt that was fighting like it was mid Nov. He was fighting a nice 8pt. They fought for over 30 minutes and I couldn't really see them I though they were the man on the property next to me messing with his tractor GLAD I DIDN'T LEAVE.
I seen 2 really nice bucks in 2012 fighting hard in the road with snow on the ground in Cades cove.
I rattle hard and loud very short breaks 20-30 minutes at a time.
I try very hard not to rattle where I don't have much visibility. I rattled a smaller 10pt in last year but he came in 75yds up the hill from me, I only know that because of the camera I had up the hill.
I use a rattle bag, it has about 8 pieces of pine about 3/4" wide each about 6"long.
Yep. Seen a couple as well, got video of a pretty intense fight on my phone last year. Thought the loser was a goner, but he jumped up and took off with the winner chasing him.
I have rattled in a few, have had better luck here grunting.
tree_ghost
Well-Known Member
Nice one! I have only had good success on big deer right at grey light and with light rattling.
I feel naked if I dont have my grunt tube .
DomG
Well-Known Member
I should also mention that W/T bucks don't always come in a huff'n & puff-n.....
My very first year hunting W/Ts, I was over a patch of scrub oaks on Ft Bragg. I was rattling and a grunting like a greenhorn maniac all morning....I think I broke every rule in the book that day...
A real nice 3x3 with eye guards snuck-in behind me and was right under my tree stand....
. Real tall and narrow rack on his head...fast runner..lol.
IDK how long he was there but I spooked him when I gave up on seeing a deer that day, and climbed down the tree.
I was probably 26 or 27 years old at the time and I was already experiencing hearing loss....point made I hope.
My very first year hunting W/Ts, I was over a patch of scrub oaks on Ft Bragg. I was rattling and a grunting like a greenhorn maniac all morning....I think I broke every rule in the book that day...
A real nice 3x3 with eye guards snuck-in behind me and was right under my tree stand....
. Real tall and narrow rack on his head...fast runner..lol.IDK how long he was there but I spooked him when I gave up on seeing a deer that day, and climbed down the tree.
I was probably 26 or 27 years old at the time and I was already experiencing hearing loss....point made I hope.
killingtime 41
Well-Known Member
I have grunted and doe bleated several bucks in.when they come in with there head on a swivel. You know they are looking for what they heard. I've had a couple times I didn't forgot my grunt tube or bleat. And almost positive I could have got a shot on a big 10. He wouldn't come out of the saplings so I could get a shot. If I had my grunt tube and bleat might have been a different story. I've got the black rack but rarely even take it much less use it. I might give it a second look this year.
WTNBowHunter
Well-Known Member
I've tried it during the rut on & off without any luck of harvesting a deer. No clue if I ever had any come in that I never saw but that's certainly possible, and likely given the downwind access that the terrain I hunt offers bucks. The only time I've seen rattling work firsthand is in the Midwest and it was hilarious…I was in Iowa the first week of November and the temp was 19° with a sustained NW wind of 15mph, gusts up to 25mph regularly. An hour or so after sunrise, I started banging the 20 year old primos rattling horns together in what I had hoped would sound like two bucks fighting. As I'm halfway into my tv quality rattling sessions, tips of antlers flying off. I did kill a nice buck on the third morning and happily drove back to TN with 3 1/2 horns left on my rattling antlers
The one thing I do consistently here during the rut is can & grunt. I have had a lot more noticeable success getting bucks to come check out the situation.
The one thing I do consistently here during the rut is can & grunt. I have had a lot more noticeable success getting bucks to come check out the situation.
I've not had any luck rattling while hunting, but I've not really tried it much. However, I've seen one fight, up close.
I was in Cades Cove photographing deer. I had been following one of these 2 bucks most of the morning and we encountered the second buck. Both about the same size. They did the stiff legged walk, ears back, hair bristled thing, as they sized each other up, but didn't waste much time before they went after it. It was almost like they knew each other and one had insulted the other's mamma or something. I can say without a doubt, they were trying to kill each other.
I was still shooting film at that time and I was trying to get as many "perfect" shots as I could and trying to change film rolls and continue shooting, etc. etc. At one point, while I was watching all the action through my lens, all the sudden, I couldn't get them in focus any longer. I looked up over my camera and they had gotten to within a couple of feet of me. I think the focus distance on the lens I was using was 8 feet. Anyway, the next thing I know, one flipped the other and missed me by inches. I was kneeling behind my tripod to get eye level shots, so I was right down there with them. I was lucky me or my camera didn't get kicked.
These were my observations:
* As noted above, they were trying to kill each other.
* It was very physical, very violent and they were not paying attention to me or anything else around.
* They were fairly equally matched, both in body size and rack size.
* We were out in the open and it brought in deer from every where. Other bucks, of all sizes, bigger and smaller, and a lot of does. The other deer almost circled the fight, watching just like people would have done.
* They fought for at least 15 minutes. Once one had decided he'd had enough, he turned tail and ran off. The other pursued him, but somewhat half heartedly.
* It was an awesome experience.
Again, I was shooting film back then. I printed one of the pics from that fight. This is a pic of that print, so the quality isn't great.
I was in Cades Cove photographing deer. I had been following one of these 2 bucks most of the morning and we encountered the second buck. Both about the same size. They did the stiff legged walk, ears back, hair bristled thing, as they sized each other up, but didn't waste much time before they went after it. It was almost like they knew each other and one had insulted the other's mamma or something. I can say without a doubt, they were trying to kill each other.
I was still shooting film at that time and I was trying to get as many "perfect" shots as I could and trying to change film rolls and continue shooting, etc. etc. At one point, while I was watching all the action through my lens, all the sudden, I couldn't get them in focus any longer. I looked up over my camera and they had gotten to within a couple of feet of me. I think the focus distance on the lens I was using was 8 feet. Anyway, the next thing I know, one flipped the other and missed me by inches. I was kneeling behind my tripod to get eye level shots, so I was right down there with them. I was lucky me or my camera didn't get kicked.
These were my observations:
* As noted above, they were trying to kill each other.
* It was very physical, very violent and they were not paying attention to me or anything else around.
* They were fairly equally matched, both in body size and rack size.
* We were out in the open and it brought in deer from every where. Other bucks, of all sizes, bigger and smaller, and a lot of does. The other deer almost circled the fight, watching just like people would have done.
* They fought for at least 15 minutes. Once one had decided he'd had enough, he turned tail and ran off. The other pursued him, but somewhat half heartedly.
* It was an awesome experience.
Again, I was shooting film back then. I printed one of the pics from that fight. This is a pic of that print, so the quality isn't great.
Man that's awesome. Great shot!
One thing I always think about when I see a broken racked buck is how hard it is to break antler, or even cut it with a saw.
There must be some tremendous force being exerted in a buck fight.
Derek
Well-Known Member
Beautiful 10 pt!
