Some of it has to do with the attitude of the deer. I rattled in the biggest buck I've killed. I've had zero response. Probably had responses at times, good or bad, but never saw the deer to know how it worked. Rattled over the weekend and 10min later had a beautiful young buck come in to investigate. He wasn't bristled up and looking for a fight. He was curious more than anything. Some guys swear against it. Some guys love rattling. There are times it is effective and I'm certain there are times it is not effective. I doubt I'd try rattling in January. In the early season I may try some really light rattling if I know there is bachelor group in the area. It is not uncommon for them to spar lightly. During the rut I will bang the crap out of the antlers. As someone said, making noise on the ground with some stomping and leaves moving around helps. A designated guy on the ground to rattle, stomp, and blow a grunt tube would make it more realistic.