In past years, when have you had the most success rattling and grunting (and what part of Texas?).

I have always done my best rattling in South Texas the first weekend in December. I have tried in other parts of the state but have not been successful. Again, maybe it was because where I hunted in south Texas had almost a 1-1 buck to doe ratio but in the other parts of the state where I tried rattling the ratio was always way off. But I try it every year because there is nothing like the thrill of a buck coming in to horns. It is a part of hunting that I wish everyone to experience at least once in their hunting life.

Ive had some luck with it. I dont get to spend enough time in the woods to say what the doe / buck ratio is but from what I can tell pressure is the best indicator if it will work for you.Ive grunted rattled deer in in Wise Co, Bosque Co ,Red River co.

I have had a lot of luck, but the best times for me is not the peak of the rut. The better mature bucks will be locked on does and not respond to well. The week prior to and after the peak of the rut are my best times. In Eastern La Salle county a day either side of New Years Day was the very best for numbers of bucks responding at one rattling location. Hill Country north of SA was the first week of Nov since the rut started around the 15th-20th of Oct. During the peak of the rut I have had better luck with bucks responding to a grunt call. The approach into the wind and very quietly. The suddenly appear. I tried ratting in Western Kerr County during the peak of the rut one morning and got no response. Then tried a grunt call later on and got 8 bucks to respond in 30 minutes.

/never had much luck with it in my area but have out west. Had more luck with estrus and bleat call around home

any type of lure to me seems to work best right now when bucks are cruzin and checkin claiming areas.. then late season when there are just those few doe coming back into heat

With STX, My best luck has been prior to main rut, also best when buck doe ratio is like 1:1, or 1:2-3. Have had results in several ares, but the best was on a huge property W of Sterling city where the buck doe ratio was really managed hard.

West Texas early in november, best time for me. In Erath the same thing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it works there's not a more exciting way to hunt.

My son and I will be out at our lease hunting this weekend (youth weekend). Do you think I should bring the rattling antlers and grunt tube...or is it too early? We are hunting in North Central Texas about 75 miles west of Fort Worth.

Thanks!

I'd sure give it a go if things are slow. I have seen young bucks here chasing a little already, so curiosity more than anything may get a response. May try it just before leaving on your morning hunts.

I've had good success in Erath. Some times it works, sometimes not. When things get slow, or conditions are still and damp, maybe cool. Rattle. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll be rattling next weekend

I've tried it in Llano county before we got the buck/doe ratio in order with no luck. After we got it down to 1-3 or so, it started working. For me, best time was starting the end of October through about Thanksgiving. Then again around the week prior to Christmas.

In Coleman county, I've had luck from end of October until right before Thanksgiving. I haven't been able to hunt from Thanksgiving through the first week of December for the past 8 years though so no idea how/if it works then. I've had some curiosity seekers come in around New Years there though.

I've probably rattled two or three bucks in a ten year span at my place in Montague. A decoy and calls have actually worked better them rattling ever have. Except for a few places I hunted out west with a good b/d ratio and little to no pressure on the property.

Right now is the time Ive had the most success in years past. Houston County in East Tx.

I would try it but just don't get too aggressive with it until closer to the rut. My experience is that the big boys don't truly fight until some does come into heat. Right now, the horny little youngsters are the only ones sparring. 2 weeks from now - different story.