Quote:
Originally Posted by ghfalls
Best thread in the hunting section this year. Thanks and happy birthday. If you could elaborate a bit on your calling techniques that would be great.
Cheers.
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My calling techniques umm I go into the bushes and make noise
The most important thing when calling is location. The fact of the matter is you won’t call in a buck if he is not within ear shot. Rattling carries long range but a lot of the other calls I use don’t have a lot of range. Add wind or any other background noise and the range is even shorter.
Outside of rattling I view my bleats and grunts as most effective at distances of under 200yards and more like under 100yards
The calls used this season
Rattling was both antlers and rattle bags. Time and time again the antlers seem to out produce the rattle bag. They are just more versatile tone wise and duplicating the sounds of buck locked up. You can also rack the bush or ground. If I am on the ground I even thump the on the ground to make it sound like stomping hooves. Don’t just bash them together and try to make noise but instead visualize what two bucks would be doing. The fact I can visualize what I am doing with antlers vs a rattle bag I feel is a big part of why I find them more effective
I always get asked how long and how often to rattle well I really don’t know :sHa_sarcasticlol. Everyone in my group does it slightly different. The main thing don’t over do it. Take time to listen and look so give small breaks. I run 2-4 sets with 5-15min pauses and 20min to hour long breaks. Really I just go with what feels right. You are way more likely to scare off bucks by over calling vs under calling. Some bucks are shy especially some mature bucks. Yes a portion of bucks come in aggressive but most I think are just curious
Rattling is best during the first half of the season but works all season. The myth you need to use big antlers to call mature bucks. I can call in big bucks with a set of forks. My personal set is a 3pt blacktail antler and a small 4pt mule deer antler. I prefer the configuration of mule deer antlers over whitetail antlers because I don’t hit my hands as much
Estrus bleats (can call) are a great non aggressive call. I actually carry more then one do to different tones. Really it’s supposed to be a ****ty doe talking. What would get your attention more a woman when talking dirty saying the same word over and over or saying full sentences. Just like people some bucks are not as easily excited as others and some just need one dirty word
The can calls we use are made by primos and hunter specialties. They come in different sizes creating different tones and length of bleat. I carry 2-3 and rotate through them as I call. I use anywhere from 1-6 bleats at a time randomly spaced out. If I hear a deer walking I call to them to get their attention too
Estrus bleats are best starting after the first week of November and truly shine once the bucks start cruising. They seem to scare does and part of the reason we often see majority bucks well on stand
The communication bleat is a less common call we use. It is not for drawing in deer but comes in handy to get them to step out those last few steps. This works on all deer too. It is great for short range call when a deer hands up for long periods. It is also great to calm a deer that startles that doesn’t really know what you are. This is great for deer that bust you do to noise but only go a short distance. It can bring back a deer for a second look
This call work year round
The one we use are the deer stopper and Kmeer deer. They can be a real pain to find so expect to search on the internet and order them. I don’t see them in stores often
The grunt call is a double edged sword in my opinion and I have a love hate relationship with it. It can bring in a buck or blow him right out. In my opinion don’t over use it and don’t get aggressive with it unless it’s last resort . Yes some bucks you can can get them angry with with a grunt call and they will storm in for a fight. In my opinion only a small portion of bucks are aggressive and a lot of big bucks are actually cautious/non confrontational. So be careful with a grunt call. I will get aggressive with a buck if he is pacing in the bush showing aggressive traits or I feel I have run out of options
The main way I use a grunt call is in combination with the estrus bleat using tending grunts. This is a non aggressive way of using a grunt that can get another buck competitive. Now instead of challenging him to a fight you are making him jealous and giving him a reason to come push of the other buck. Be sure to vary your tones so you sound realistic. You don’t want to sound like a big tough guy but more so a buck he can bully
YouTube tending grunts that actually deer are doing not some dude telling you how to call. Listen to it and duplicate it
I will call to deer I hear walking through the area but can’t see
The grunt call I swear by is the true talker. It is made with rubber and wood giving a natural sound. I have tried so many plastic grunt calls that just sound off or even scare deer. The true talker also gives you the ability to easily change tones just by pushing on the reed. I have a primose grunt as well and it works but lacks the ability to easily adjust tones on the fly
Mid to late November seems to be the best timing
The best way to get good at calling is get out and do it. Try different routines pay attention to how the bucks react and learn how to read their personality type. I vary my calling depending on if I feel if it is an aggressive or shy buck
Don’t ask how I determine if the buck is aggressive or shy it’s really a guess to do with how they are coming in. There is a reason I usually teach people how to call by having them sit with me
The more you play with it the better you get. So that’s it that’s what you get now get out there and figure it out
Oh use your ears they often sneak in like ninjas. I don’t even know how many times I see or hear nothing and next thing I know there is a buck 20yards away
I wonder if that has ever worked for him? I’m honestly curious. 
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