I don't do much blind rattling personally. I don't think full out battles demonstrated from hard rattling take place all that often. Not saying it won't ever work, jmo.

If I do rattle, its kind of a desperate measure. If I see a good buck who is a ways away and heading the opposite direction, I'll hit the horns to try to get his attention.

 

As far as when, I've seen people rattle in bucks early in the season but I would say late October. Time of day...not sure, maybe late morning?

 

I know people that have good luck rattling the last week in October. I've never had much luck unless I rattled while having a buck decoy out.

 

never

 

You can start doing some light rattling and grunting right now and get a little louder and more aggressive as we get closer to Nov. You guys that don't ever rattle or don't blind rattle are missing the boat. I've called in a bunch of bucks blind rattling, in fact I killed my biggest buck (223") blind rattling on Nov 3rd at about 7 in the morning. Rattling works.

 

Agree 100%. I've taken a lot of good buck blind rattling. I hardly ever rattle with the antlers in my hand. I attach them to my pull rope and just keep "popping" the string up and down with the antlers banging together and rustling up leaves and sticks at the same time. Sounds soooo realistic they can't hardly refuse to come check it it if they are close by.

 

I have had a lot of success with rattling in some mature deer. It is an exciting thing when it works to perfection. Be alert because aggresive bucks can come running and be on top of you in no time.

As to when to rattle, watch what the deer are doing on your property. Usually the last two weeks of October, when the Bachelor groups split up, rattling can be effective. However, I don't get aggressive with rattling until November. If u are seeing lots of scrapes and rubs, that is a good indication that deer hormones are beginning to rise and bucks are becoming territorial.

I like to rattle softly while mixing in some grunts after the sun comes up. The goal isn't too make it seem like a battle between dominant bucks is taking place. Rather I like to make it seem like smaller bucks are just checking each other out. Light rattling early as opposed to loud clashes. Try for a few minutes at a time then wait 15-30 minutes and try briefly again. If deer aren't responding to it early you'll know. I don't rattle much mid-day say past 10:30 or 11.

Evening hunts I would probably try an hour or so before dark. Not rattling as often as i would in the mornings. I've rattled in 7-10 different bucks before all within a hour and a half. If it's effective, they usually will come on a string to your stand, sometimes before you even set down the antlers. Obviously the closer to the rut the better and more frequently with higher intensity. But rattling in October can be very effective for big mature bucks looking to mark their territory.

I was skeptical the first time I did it, but now I don't go without it leading up to the rut. I rattle in a bunch of bucks every year. Most of my friends have been successful too. That's not saying I rattle every time out either. Don't want to educate or spook deer. Hope that helps.

 

Another point I meant to make, I think rattling works best when deer are naturally on their feet, like first light and last light. I believe once they bed down it is hard to get them to come and investigate.

 

After you shake and before you roll

 

nice. well done.

 

At first light. Remember- when bucks spar they clank just a few times til they lock up. Then there's a gap in noise while they push each other then some tickling.

 

thanks guys. i have pics of a few real bruisers/shooters on the property and am looking forward to putting one down.

 

Rattling is about like all the other calls. It very seldom works unless it's the right time and they are in the right mood. It never works if you don't do it.

 

I`ve had my best luck later in the season. During the pre-rut, and rut, I like to have as many does around me as possible. If the does aren`t ready, and they hear what they think are two bucks fighting, the will probably go a different direction from where they hear the rattling. Any time I see a buck, out of range, that is headed another direction I will rattle and grunt at him. As was mentioned before......it doesn`t matter how good, or bad, you sound, if they`re in the mood they just might come and take a look. Whatever you do be ready as soon as you hit those antlers together. I happens really fast sometimes.

 

is a 7 good for rattleing

 

Does real or fake antlers work best for you guys?

 

You have got to have the right area and the right herd. Rattling in eight to ten bucks? I do not see 8 to 10 bucks of any age in my area after an entire month of rut hunting! Depends on where you are.