Rattling Antlers
Deer can be attracted to sounds
such as rattling antlers or grunts, which they expect to be made
by other deer.
Hunters try to mimic the sound
of fighting bucks so they can attract whitetails to their
location. Sparring by bucks is used to establish dominance and
breeding rights.
Rattling antlers was a
technique that originated in Texas however is very common now
when hunting whitetails.
All that is needed is a pair of
antlers not attached to the skull. They usually have 3 or 4
tines and hunters saw off the brow tines to make them easier to
hold. If you don't have real antlers [including sheds] then you
can buy synthetic ones as well as rattling bags.
Research Study
In a comprehensive three year
study of rattling antlers by researchers from the University of
Georgia and Texas A&M-Kingsville, deer responded in 65 percent
of 171 rattling sessions.
In 73 percent of the
responses, bucks came to loud, long rattling.
What works best:
Pre Rut
Loud, long rattling sessions
worked best.
Peak Rut
Loud, short rattling sessions
worked best.
Post Rut
Long quiet rattling sessions
worked best.
Slightly more mature [three
and a half years and older] bucks responded
in the post rut.
Key Points for Rattling Antlers
-
The best
responses for the entire rut were from three and a half
through four and a half year old bucks
-
Older bucks responded equally
well during the pre rut and post rut, but less during during
the peak rut
-
Bucks usually responded during the first of three 10 minute
rattling sessions
-
The best
responses occurred when the wind speed was lowest
-
The highest
responses occurred when cloud cover was about 75%, with
lowest rates when the skies were clear
-
Morning
sessions produced the best results with midday producing the
least results
-
Older bucks
responded more in the afternoon
-
Two thirds of
bucks were first spotted downwind
-
Bucks
responded more slowly and deliberately during post rut
-
65% of the
bucks made their final approach from downwind
-
The rattler
saw only half the bucks that responded
-
25% of the
bucks responded after the third rattling sequence which was
20 minutes into the session
-
Rattling
antlers works best in high buck to doe ratio areas
-
Bucks that
respond to rattling antlers expect to see bucks fighting and
look for the source of the noise so ensure you are well
concealed and there is no/low sound and scent.
-
Rattling
should be done close to feeding and bedding areas, staging
areas, rubs and scrapes
-
Rattling is
most effective when you see the buck before it see you, so
tree stands are a distinct advantage
-
Larger
rattling antlers help sound carry further
Best Strategy for
Mature Bucks
-
Quietly approach your rattling
site and let things settle down for 30 minutes before
beginning rattling
-
Start by clicking the tines
gently a few times then wait a few minutes. Rattle more
loudly the second time and try to mimic two bucks clashing
and then stepping back. The rattling should a couple of
minutes. Pause for a few minutes and rattle again
-
After you bring the antlers
together, roll your wrists and grind the antlers together
mimicking two bucks shoving and pushing each other for a few
minutes. Wait and listen for a few minutes before repeating
-
Other sounds can be added to
the rattling such as starting with a few soft grunts, raking
the antlers in the brush or leaf litter, and pounding your
feet to mimic the sounds of a fight
-
Long quiet rattling during the
post rut [second choice is the pre-rut]
-
Hunt in the afternoons on
overcast, low wind days
-
Watch closely for an approach
from downwind, so either position yourself so a buck has to
expose himself in the open to approach you from downwind, or
use products to suppress your odor [also consider buck in
rut, tarsal, doe urine or estrus scents to bring him in]
-
Consider using a decoy to
focus his attention away from your location. If bucks don't
see a deer when they respond to rattling they learn that
something is wrong
-
After rattling, wait at least
30 minutes before moving or giving up
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