First off, know that there is no magic pullet to taking a mature buck. “Puppet Fights” is just another technique of rattling. Yes, I do rattle and use it more during the late season because of two things. 1) I find an increase concentration of deer around a late season food source that tends to bring in more bucks from outlying areas that may be under a little more nutritional stress due the rut than does are. 2) During this time of year there are a few doe’s that come into estrus late, or were missed being bred during their first cycle. So, there is a significant increase in the buck to receptive doe ratio. These two factors create a lot more completion and elicit a greater response from mature bucks during daylight hours compared to the normal rut phase. I use the antlers on a string technique so that I can keep the older bucks distracted and or encouraged them to come to me in more of a straight line than trying to circle and attempting to wind the “receptive doe” that caused the fight. I am also more prepared for the shot with a bow and nocked arrow in my hand.
As far as rattling during the rut, yes I have done quite a bit of that. I like to rattle more frequently during the pre-rut of late October, but once November gets here I don’t rattle as much. However, I still bring rattling antlers into the woods with me in case I see a buck at long distance or something like that. Most of the mature bucks find a doe in heat during the evening trips to the open fields, and then “lock down” with her in dense cover during the daylight hours. Rattling during the rut for me has brought in many more young bucks in the 1 ½ to 2 ½ year-old range. Eventually they do tend to circle and catch my downwind scent. I also hunt a lot in very thick bedding areas and would prefer to remain unnoticed as long as possible. Rattling does disturb the woods much more than grunting or wheezing. Over the years I have rattle less during the rut and wheezed much more. If a younger buck or any buck is your goal, than by all means try rattling, just be ready to take on a fully alert whitetail. Ha!
One more thing, I have the privilege of hunting in an area of relatively high deer density and the mature bucks may not be working as hard to find receptive does compared to an area of lower deer density. In other words rattling may work better for you during the rut if you are hunting a spot with less deer and they jump on the apparent opportunity that is being presented by your calling. It’s kind of like moose hunting in Alaska; bulls will come a long way to a cow-in-heat call because there aren’t many animals in the neighborhood. Mike
Topic: Hey Herdbull! Question for ya (Read 347 times)
