Hi ya'll Just trying to get some input from all the experienced hunters . Does rattling work in your areas?? Thanks in advance for the input-Brad

Yes, it does sometimes. I have ratted up several deer over the years. So bucks are aggressive enough around here. So of my best luck is when they are seeking. If I see a buck a long way off, I use the horns to call them in. They almost always try to come down wind.

I've had some luck rattling in north east Madison county when the first few does are coming into heat. Most of the time I'll rattle mid morning if there hasn't been much movement and I'm not seeing deer. I've brought in yearlings and immature bucks doing this. However, if I'm seeing deer or have located a buck, I will not rattle. From my experience I've had better success sitting still and being quiet when I know there is a Buck near.

I have had mixed results with the rattling.
What I like to do is sit on the north side of a cutover, with a pretty steady north wind to my back. (I know that's just the opposite of all the expert advice) A buck who is curious Wil most likely circle and approach down wind. If you have a good open view, you can catch him before he winds you.

You’ll get mixed results. I’ve had it work great in Kansas. Here, I can say I’ve never called up a buck rattling. Not one.

I've had success rattling on bucks of all sizes and ages. I have two full grown ones on my wall that were tricked with " horns". It'll work at the right time anywhere I'd suspect.

I rattled softly one time and had a very young buck come put to investigate, so in my younger dumber days of a teenager I thought if doing it lightly brought a young deer whooping them sheds together like a gorrila in a rock band playing the drumbs and using the tree limbs near by as the crash cymbals I'd bring out a monster so big it'd put the deer on the hunting shows to shame..........well I was wrong and I think I scared anything within 5 counties off. Now i don't rattle I night grunt if I hear one grunting

i aint never had any luck . i have saw bucks get up and leave pushing the doe with them.

some folks have luck with it though .

I have rattled up dozens of bucks in several counties. I have five on my wall that were rattled in. It dosen't work all the time but it will work from start to finish by adjusting yer technique to the season.

Sound like your a bit aggressive while you hunt.....

well, yes I am....

If I see a buck cruise by out of range, or not enough for a shot I WILL hit the horns at him. I killed good eight point bow hunting one afternoon, set back off a big greenfield. He walked across the field prolly 300 yards from me so I hit the horns LOUD till he stopped and looked. 30 mins later he slipped in straight to my tree..and an arra.

Never let a buck get by you without rattling at him a little.

fred ,,, i've watched videos and more videos ,talked to pther hunters that do it . i can't get it to work for me . i know guys who do it and deer knock them down.

Thanks For all the replies- Brad

If one doesn't come in I figure there wasn't one in earshot to hear it.Right after the bucks split up and start rubbing heavy a couple of weeks before the rut seems to be prime time for horns.

What about post rut?

quietly and non aggressive

I have rattled in a few. Mostly small bucks. Did have one I remember that came in and slipped around my whole set up in the thick stuff. Could hear him walking but never could see him. I felt like that was a good one but will never know

Of course it hasn’t worked every time

Same for pre rut? Aggressive when ruts on?

Ive never even tried it just goes against everything ive ever been taught about staying still and quiet. But i have had a couple bucks come in within minutes of climbing a tree think they thought i was another buck rubbing when they heard the bark scraping

For those that are scared to try it or worried they have scared everything off, why? Deer fight all the time in the wild.