Real, Fake or Bag?

[J Dean]

Real, Fake or Bag?  What do you use for rattling?

John

[Mike Bolin]

Have used them all. Prefer the real antlers, but they are a pain to transport. Using the RackPack Magnum this year and so far, I like it.

[D]

I'm using a pack rack too.  Way easier to carry in my pack than a real set of antlers and my knuckles arent bleeding after I use the pack rack. lolol

[RodL]

I have used all 3, I prefer the real thing but most of the time I use the bag, much easier to transport than the real thing.

Rodney

[huntsman247]

My preference is for the real thing.

[Trad Whitetail]

I too like the real thing, but I have been using a bag lately.  Honestly it has worked better than the real thing in a tree because there is less movement and the deer don't seem to notice any difference in the sound.

[Mudd]

I currently use two of the three but have tried all of them.

My most successes has been with the fake.

God bless,Mudd

[centaur]

I have had deer come in to real antlers, but for some reason haven't had any luck with the bag. Never used the fake antlers.

[beyondmyken]

I have rattled in several bucks in Indiana( in my area that is quite a feat) with 3 deer leg bones that I found in the woods.  I place them in an old sock and just roll the bones between my hands or with one hand on my thigh.  Makes a nice clicking/clacking noise.  If you roll them sharply between your hands, it can make a loud crack sounds like two bucks smashing together.

[Greg Clark]

Pack Rack

[reddogge]

Real.

[lt-m-grow]

Pack Rack here too.  Easier to carry, so more likely to have them.

They work too.  Called in many bucks with them.

IMO I have a hard time believing deer really care. There is lots of odd and variable sounds out in the wood - real and fake -  including ones that come from real animals.   Its hard to believe deer can tell or are "picky"  - especially since the reaction to these calls is hormone driven.  

I also don't think a pair a sheds, sounds like horns attached to deers skulls either...but that is for another time.

To quote a buddies dad, when the turkeys are ready to come to a call, you can call them in with a kazoo.  Over the years I think that about most calls...sometimes they will respond, sometimes not...the call is not that big of deal or is seldom the reason.

Now there may be an argument that some calls go out further, but tone is a tough call for me to believe.  

I also think when rattling - the pace and other sounds (sticks breaking, leaves rustling) make more of difference than the device used.