I have rattled for the last 10 or 12 years. I think it is very effective several days of the season but not the entire season. I had a week several years ago where I rattled in 3 or 4 bucks that were all shooters but that was the only time that year it worked. I would say over the last ten years I have probably rattled in 8 or 9 buck deer that were anywhere from about 100 inches to around 140 inches. I killed one of these bucks and missed one. The others I didnt shoot at or spooked trying to get the bow back. Several deer were on me before I could put the horns away and pick up the bow. about the same with grunting. It is effective at certain times and other times it will make the deer spooky. Moderation in all is good advice. Dont over do it and get ready quickly once you rattle. Deer come in looking quickly or they come in around the perimeter cautiously. Probably depends on their testosterone level and attitude at that particular moment. Cool as heck when it works tho....
Tried Rattling
- Thread starter cotty16
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Some use the rattle bag and some are using antlers or fake antlers. Do any of you have a strong opinion of which is better? I've used both in the past and had some success with both but the real antlers I used (gave them to my dog to chew on for shed hunting) seemed to sound more realistic and am wondering if I should go that route and drop the rattle bag.
Anyone ever tie rattling horns to a rope and lower from their treestand to bang them together on the ground to get the leaf and hoof sounds? I remember reading something like that years ago and always thought about doing it.
Anyone ever tie rattling horns to a rope and lower from their treestand to bang them together on the ground to get the leaf and hoof sounds? I remember reading something like that years ago and always thought about doing it.
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My dad bought a rattle bag 20 years ago after I had rattled in a couple of bucks for him. I tried to make it sound like horns, it did not. There may be something on the market now that is better, but I don't know what it would be. Horns for me, and I like mine to have decent mass. Heavy horns make more noise.
I have always heard that you are going to rattle in the same size deer that you are rattling with as far as antler size. I don't know if there is any proof in the pudding, but it seems to male sense to me.
Fullbore
Senior Member
Just my opinion here, but I prefer real horns to rattle with. Deer are very curious animals and whether your horns are large or small. I think you will have good results, as long as you don't get carried away. I have set of sheds that mesh good with short tines and heavy beams. They are perfect for horn rattling.
buckstar25
Junior Member
Have used both, I use a rattle bag now just for ease of use. I have had the same results with both real and wood. If you are in the woods during the best days, I believe it doesn't matter, big, small, real or fake.
Timing, at least in my experiences is the determining factor. Also agree 10,000 times that rattling sequence should be short, and when it's right, violent.
Timing, at least in my experiences is the determining factor. Also agree 10,000 times that rattling sequence should be short, and when it's right, violent.
I soft grunted couple times and used my new Knight & Hale Da Bonehead rattle blocks at 9:00. About 5 minutes later a little forkhorn come down the trail looking for whatever made the noise. He didn't know I was there. At 20 yds. down wind he never smelt me as I was smoked up and had Calm Deer Herd on my boots. Both of that stuff sure works.