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Rattling - Success or Non-Success #7353480 11/20/18 01:51 PM
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Had a successful rattling experience this past Saturday morning out at my small place in Young county, cycling the Knight and Hale Pack Rack with the occasional Growl grunt call. Within 10 minutes, I had a nice, high horned 3.0-4.0 yo 10pt. come running in looking for the fight. My success rate on my place has been pretty good over the 8 years or so that I've owned the place, maybe 30-50% successful bringing in a decent size buck. Prior to having this, I hunted 35-40 years in deep South Texas, Webb/Zapata county lines and rattling for us down there was not nearly as successful, not that it was necessarily required to see deer and lots of them. I believe my Young county doe-buck ratio to be 2-1 or so whereas when we hunted South Texas more like 4-1. Taking into account time of year, the rut and what not, do you think the lower doe-buck ratio is the main variable for success, at least in my particular situation?

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353486 11/20/18 02:01 PM
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Im sure the ratio has something to do with it.

I have tried rattling a few times every year on our place in Duval Co. and only thing I ever had come in was a yearling doe. Seems like I never get around to it on time though and usually too late in the season and its usually windy as hell, I need to make more time for it.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353536 11/20/18 02:53 PM
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Yes. It works here too. Although spotty, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Buck doe ratios definitely come into play.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353537 11/20/18 02:54 PM
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timing is the key..... a tight BD ratio helps..... weather conditions........ I've had tons of success rattling all over the state.....

In Duval Co. and south, there is almost no such thing as too late in the season........ as in the season will end before rattling will be ineffective.....

Last edited by SingleShot85; 11/20/18 02:54 PM.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353539 11/20/18 02:56 PM
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I also use the Knight and Hale Pack Rack with pretty good success. I'm the only one on our ranch in Clay County to have a "shooter buck" in bow range in the last 2 years and that was after a rattling sequence. I'd say I've probably rattled at least 8 bucks in with rattling this year but the majority of them are youngsters. We also have a very high buck to doe ratio of 2:1 that is probably helping with the effectiveness. I also rattled in a pretty decent buck last year in Throckmorton county but only ever had bucks respond to it twice in probably 8 or so sits there and the other was a spike. I think rattling is a useful tool but it also takes luck like any other part of hunting. Time of the year, realistic rattling sequence, volume, and having an interested buck in earshot all play a huge part. I've noticed that my rattling doesn't seem to hurt much at least, I've rattled with does in the distance and they will normally just look in my direction then go back to eating, now if they are at the feeder and I'm 20 yards away they run lol. But I say go for it, theres not much to lose by trying. I've never incorporated vocal calls like grunts and snort wheezes but am hoping to add that to my repertoire next season. I bet the ratio in your situation has a lot to do with it, if there are plenty of ladies for everyone why fight?


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353540 11/20/18 02:57 PM
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I've rattled in bucks several times so I know it works, but I still prefer to sit quietly and let things develop naturally.
That said, I'll break them out when I start getting bored.
I've found that if something is going to happen, it won't take buck a few hits with the horns, so you have to be ready and watch downwind, with that said, my favorite rattling spot is where I can sit wind in my face or quartering, with my back to a field, so nothing can sneak up behind me.
Those younger bucks and some does will come charging in, but an old buck will try to circle around and come in from downwind of the ruckus, so you need to be in a more open area.

Last edited by Jimbo; 11/20/18 03:18 PM.


Thursday at 12:45 PM
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Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353566 11/20/18 03:21 PM
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Rattled in 6 bucks in two hours the other day in the hill country.

Wind was bad and they were catching my scent but one came charging in before I could pick up my rifle he took off


I dont do it a lot anymore but Ive always had good luck with rattling


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353575 11/20/18 03:33 PM
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How long do you guys actually rattle for?

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: sunsetroosters] #7353602 11/20/18 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by sunsetroosters
How long do you guys actually rattle for?


each location is about a 30-45 minutes set up to finish..... but that is not actual rattling... I can usually get 4-6 location in a morning less I start at day break and will go as long as the conditions are favorable but usually shut it down around 10am. When Im rattling that is how I've committed to hunt for that outing.... don't usually mix stand hunting and rattling..... but if I do it is usually done in the evenings....

Last edited by SingleShot85; 11/20/18 03:48 PM.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353628 11/20/18 04:13 PM
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I usually just rattle for about 30-45 seconds every 45 min or so, not sure if thats the best tactic but my thought process is if bucks are covering country looking for does then I wait a while between rattling sequences to see if any new bucks are traveling through the area that weren't there the previous times I rattled. I've rarely had a buck come in on my first sequence its normally like my 3rd or 4th. The first time I rattle I do it quietly so as not to scare off a buck if there is already one really close. Only been doing it for a few years but it's been working for me. I've always wanted to try the run and gun type of rattling like SingleShot85 but feel like that would be hard to do since I primarily bow hunt deer.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353647 11/20/18 04:30 PM
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For the life of me Ive had 0 success rattling.

Idk why, I always do it the rut. Rattle, wait 15 min, hit them again

Id say Ive done this several times a year for the last 3-4 years

Its just never worked for me

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: PoppinPiggies] #7353660 11/20/18 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by PoppinPiggies
I've always wanted to try the run and gun type of rattling like SingleShot85 but feel like that would be hard to do since I primarily bow hunt deer.


you need a pardner to rattle for you, that would be the easiest, but it can be done most of the time I see movement before they are in shooting range that's when you set the hons down and grab your bow. Also if you some tarsal glands from another buck set them down wind and where you want to take you best shot and this will draw the deer to that spot... BOOM or loose your arrow....

Rattling isn't random and you can control some variables some of the time. so you do, hen let the chips fall as the will but it does increase you chances dramatically. If you try to rattle in a wide open area you're likely going to have a longer shot but you'll see them sooner.... if you get in tight cover the buck will be up your azz w/o warning.....

I like a cold overcast day, 4-7mph wind, 20-40yrd opening, I sit in cover on the up wind side.... now deer will come in from behind you but will circle around to get a better sent.... that is where the tarsal gland or cotton ball / buck urine helps

Last edited by SingleShot85; 11/20/18 05:45 PM.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353698 11/20/18 05:23 PM
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i always seem to rattle in the young bucks. I had 3 come crashing in - all split horns.

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353700 11/20/18 05:25 PM
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Nothing. Im pretty sure I scare them away.

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353706 11/20/18 05:33 PM
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It depends if I am in an open area, in open areas I might as well leave them home. I have better luck if I am in an area where there is a lot of cover.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353722 11/20/18 05:48 PM
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Im not a pro by any stretch, but I rattle for 20-30 seconds then wait 5-7 min then repeat. Maybe rattle for 45 seconds. If nothing and I feel Im in a good spot Ill wait 10 min then move.


Most of the bucks Ive rattled up came within 2 min of me hitting the horns.

A lot of them come running to me.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353724 11/20/18 05:50 PM
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Last week rattling was productive in the hill country.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353733 11/20/18 05:57 PM
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Usually the deer will not be scared off unless you are right next to them when you start a sequence and startle them.
They will either ignore them or come to look out of curiosity, or come charging in.
Next time you have a few deer out in front of you where they can't see your movement, hit them a couple of times and see their reaction.
The sound of horns clashing is a natural sound to them.



Thursday at 12:45 PM
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Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353800 11/20/18 07:21 PM
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I love rattling. I have had really good success with it at my place in Lampasas county and a spot I used to hunt in Nueces County. I find it to be a lot of fun when the timing is right and really boring when it's not.

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353901 11/20/18 09:24 PM
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I rattled in a coyote last week.

Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353904 11/20/18 09:40 PM
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I've posted this before, BUT, I'm posting it again:
I have rattled in way over 1,000 bucks.Those were all in southwest Texas. I hit the horns together for about one minute, wait a minute and then hit them again for a minute, wait a minute and hit them for a 3rd time for a minute, but this time not as loud. stay very still and Wait for 5 more minutes and then move to another spot if nothing comes in. Did not think it would work anywhere but south texas however:
This is a very long story, but I'm going to make it short. My wife and I have been hunting for the last 3 days south of Eastland. Only seen 1 doe and a 4 pt and 6 pt. We hunt together in the same stand. At 8:30 this morning she said, "I can't hold it any longer. I have to potty." She climbed down but said, give me those horns, I'm going to try to rattle." She has never done that before. She potted right under our stand, and I thought, "good grief, you have got to be kidding me, this hunt is over for sure." She started hitting the horns together. With-in 30 seconds, I saw a buck running at full speed across a field about 300 yards away. It headed straight for her and stopped about 10 yards away. But she was looking the other way and did not see the buck and because of the trees I could not get a shot. She stood up and started climbing back up the ladder to the stand when I leaned out and said, "sit back down and hit them again." The buck had circled to get down wind of her but when she hit the horns again, it stepped out at about 60 yards. The rest is history as they say. But I have to say, what a great memory we will have together for the rest of our lives. It was the biggest buck that we have seen on our place. As I have said on here many times before, I love my wife. A little more after today!!!!!!!!!



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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353905 11/20/18 09:41 PM
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I have rattled in quite a few and killed some while just watching others. I have as much or more success with grunts and bleats. Several of my biggest bucks have been shot at less than 30 yards after grunt call and or bleat.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353923 11/20/18 10:06 PM
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I was on a lease in Llano county for over 20 years. For the first 15 years our B-d ratio was around 1 buck for every 9 does. When we finally started managing the herd, we took a bunch of does off and eventually got it down to 1-3. When I first read about rattling, I tried it when the ratio was all out of whack. Never had something come in. When the ration got down lower, everyone that tried it would get something to come in. As far as I know, only one of our hunters got something worth shooting to come in.
I hunted in Missouri and tried it there. It worked. Got a nice 5 yo 10 there with my bow. Tried it in Indiana on some private land and had middlin' success. Nothing big, but, I did get a few small bucks to show up.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: DQ Kid] #7353937 11/20/18 10:14 PM
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Yes I rattle because it works if you know what youre doing. One of the the most exciting opportunities you can create for you or someone else hunting. Phase of the rut and buck doe ratio are the biggest influence on success IME.


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Re: Rattling - Success or Non-Success [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #7354073 11/21/18 01:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Pitchfork Predator
Yes I rattle because it works if you know what youre doing. One of the the most exciting opportunities you can create for you or someone else hunting. Phase of the rut and buck doe ratio are the biggest influence on success IME.



Can you enlighten us on the correct way to rattle?

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