https://oodmag.com/drawing-whitetails-with-sound/
Whitetails can out-hear, out-smell, and outrun you. Use these tips to bring in bucks during all phases of the rut.
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https://oodmag.com/drawing-whitetails-with-sound/
Whitetails can out-hear, out-smell, and outrun you. Use these tips to bring in bucks during all phases of the rut.
I learned at a young age that for any tactic that relies on a deer’s senses (eyes, ears, nose) to work, the deer must be in range.
I’ve had far better luck using a grunt call than rattling. Calling deer can be very effective to draw deer that you see into range. IMO, most hunters tend to over call as if they were calling ducks. Deer aren’t very vocal and don’t normally vocalize unless they see or are pursuing another deer.
I’ve found rattling to be a very frustrating technique. It’s my understanding that, to be effective, it should be done in the pre-rut and where the doe to buck ratio is low e.g. 2:1. In 95% of the times that I’ve tried it, I got no response. One key piece about rattling is that hunters need to cognizant of the wind direction as, often enough, bucks will approach downwind while using cover.
I once killed a doe that was out of range snorting at me by snorting back at her (or my best improvised imitation of a snort). I arrowed her at under 20 yards.
A snort wheeze call during pre and rut has been the most effective to help see deer. Not always get a shot but definitely to bring in for a look.
I’ve done this too a few times. If a deer snorts at you, what have you got to lose by snorting back?Quote:
Originally Posted by ninepointer
I have had good luck with doe bleats, usually I give 1 - 3 calls every 20 to 30 minutes, I have called in bucks, does, and fawns.
I've twice had whitetail bucks come looking for me after I stepped on a fallen branch and it snapped loudly.
Both times the bucks came within range but I couldn't get a good clear shot.
I have also had deer come to the sound of me stepping on a branch, one time a buck came in at last light as I walked out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilo Charlie
I've only heard deer vocalize a few times while hunting so I have to assume it's not a common practice for them. I now restrict my sounds to a bleat once or twice in a whole sit and I only grunt if I see a deer that's too far away. I have grunted a buck or two in closer if I can see their reaction.