For the guys who have rattled in their bucks.........

[Jimmy]

When your bucks came in, did they use the trail or just fly in from some other direction that you weren't expecting.

The reason I ask is because I'm heading back out this weekend to Guernsey County to set my stand for gun season AND for the rut. This may be my last weekend I can head out there until gun season. I want to try and get a nice spot along a trail if I can find one.

Thanks

Jimmy

[XX78]

I have rattled in 6 bucks all sizes, baskets to 140 class, and they all but three of them came in about 10-15 minutes after I rattled. the three that came in quick were in a concentrated area and happened to be 50 yds away by chance when I knocked them together. Those were also suburban/ city deer so I rule their reaction out. The others took so long to come in I had gone back to not looking for deer so much and started playing with my cell phone, GPS, or day dreaming.

They mozzied on in carefully lookin around for the sound, and they are very good about picking out where the sound came from within 40 yards.

[Jimmy]

Originally posted by XX78
I have rattled in 6 bucks all sizes, baskets to 140 class, and they all but three of them came in about 10-15 minutes after I rattled. the three that came in quick were in a concentrated area and happened to be 50 yds away by chance when I knocked them together. Those were also suburban/ city deer so I rule their reaction out. The others took so long to come in I had gone back to not looking for deer so much and started playing with my cell phone, GPS, or day dreaming.

They mozzied on in carefully lookin around for the sound, and they are very good about picking out where the sound came from within 40 yards.

How long do you rattle for? How long do you wait to rattle again?

Rattling is new to me.....please ignore my ignorance.

[Ohio Bill]

Jimmy, when I rattle I do it for about 1 minute then I pause and grunt.....then rattle for about 2 minutes then grunt a couple times....so on for maybe 3 or 4 minutes....Always keep your eyes open looking for a buck to run up cause it will probably happen real fast when he comes.. you can also throw in a couple estrus bleats too.

[M.Magis]

There's no way to predict how or if a buck will react to rattling. It just depends on his personality and mood. I've had them mosey on in casually, walk in stiff legged with hair bristled and ears back, and on the other day one actaully ran in from 200 yards away.

[CritterGitter]

Think of 2 bucks fighting for the right to breed a doe. When I rattle, I use a rattle bag and grind it slowly and deliberately as opposed to just clanging. My rattle sequence is usually about 3 to 4 minutes. Also, I never do more than one rattle sequence in a 30 minute period of time. Sometimes, I'll wait longer than that, but I never rattle more than once in a 30 minute time period. I also don't use a decoy, but after reading some of Andy's posts I my have one for next year. Be very alert when rattling. I have seen bucks sneak in and hide in the brush as they check for the source. However, last week that big boy came in full sprint right to 30 yards and in the open bean field behind me? That figures? I think he seen me lifting my bow. I won't make that mistake again. As for where to set a stand for gun season a trail is not the most important aspect. I would look for likely escape routes. These are typically areas of good cover that border a big woodlot, a saddle, a brushy area along a river bottom or any area with good cover that is likely to funnel deer movement.

CG

[XX78]

never really timed it but Im sure its around 4-5 minutes with a few second pauses, u know so the pretend bucks can regroup for a good loud headbutt. Like M.Magis I wait atleast 30 min. That sound can travel a long way in quiet woods, so give them time to come in before u rattle again. Once u see the buck do not rattle again unless it has decided to walk away. They have very keen sense of hearing and can pinpoint the location of the sound fairly easily. Ive gotten busted before making this mistake. Ive been having good sucess rattling bout 10 min to official sunset time. woods tends to quiet down quite a bit, and there is enough time for a buck to mozzy in before end of shooting light. Just my .02 anybody please chime in with more suggestions.