Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - October 2020

SOFT AND SUBTLE VS. LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE

Conversely, early in the season, a lot of the time, that’s how I want to fight or simulate a fight. I want to be a little bit lighter in my sounds and flip that switch. If I’m hunting a place with big deer, and I meanbig-bodieddeer that fight andwhen theyfight it’s two mammoths going for the new heavyweight world title, I want to rock those antlers together as loud as I can. I want to make lots of sounds; you’ll see me even kick rocks and even thrash trees at times. Because, when two big boys are fighting, that’s what’s going on. They’re not just standing there slapping each other around – they’re trying to kill each other. So keep these tips in mind the next time you’re out in the rut trying to rattle in the dominant buck in your area and we wish you the best of luck!

I think not rattling really loud can be a mistake some people make in certain situations. By that, I mean if you’re just kind of lightly tinkling the antlers, simulating a little four- or six-point fighting each other, you’re probably going to get those results. But, if you’re in a place that has big mature deer (130-150 and up class) with big necks and bodies – they fight like two heavyweights going at it, like two big linemen fighting each other. The fight of all fights out there! That’s the type of fight I want to simulate! I want to be louder, I want to be more aggressive, and I want to be able to make sounds that would mimic mature bucks fighting. I also understand that if I’m hunting in an area that doesn’t have that kind of deer, then I don’t want to make as many loud noises, and I don’t want to simulate those types of a buck fight; I want to be a little more subdued. LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! You must understand the location that you’re rattling in to be successful. I think that is one of the biggest keys. You must understand the time of year to be able to mimic the type of sounds you should make. If you’re hunting in an area where there are a lot of does, there are not as many deer fights, and the bucks are generally fairly small – you probably want to mimic that type of a sound. You want a light tinkling and light action.

HAPPY HUNTING!

Learn more about rattling by clicking the PLAY Button to watch our video above!