Rattling - Success or Non-Success

How long do you guys actually rattle for?

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.

Yes I rattle because it works if you know what you’re 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.

Rattling is all about timing and using the right amount or "type" of rattling at the right time. Bucks react differently to rattling depending on the stage of the rut. For me the best time is the week before the peak of the rut. Then about a few days after the peak. You need a decent buck to do ratio but can you can still rattle in bucks no matter what the ratio is. They all react different to how aggressive they come into rattling. Some will sneak in, some will charge in, some will only move when you rattle and then stop when you stop and some will trot in slowly being while others might be very cautious. For me I will rattle if I see bucks up and moving or "cruising" checking new territory or for does. If two bucks are fighting they are not playing but trying to kill each other so don't be timid with your rattling if they are moving in quickly. Some fights last a long time while others are only a few seconds. Other times they move in slowly and it might take 7 or 10 or 15 or even 30 minutes to appear. Many older bucks will stall out if you have other younger bucks in close if your timing(for the rut) is off just a bit. Best to rattle in pairs with the rattler separated from the shooter. Use the wind to your advantage knowing bucks will try to circle downwind from you. So put some open cover downwind if possible to give you the opportunity to see them first. When they are moving in quickly or aggressively there is no better hunting experience than to rattle in 8-12 bucks in a few short minutes. Picking you location to rattle is almost as important as the timing. I prefer real antlers for rattling but fake or synthetic ones will work. Don't over rattle by rattling aggressively and to much to early. Don't be timid or shy with your rattling either, experiment and remember what worked or did not work along with the timing as to the rut. I have rattled with does in front of me and they only lifted their heads to see what the commotion was then went back to feeding. It is all about timing and adjusting how you rattle with what the deer are doing. I have rattled from a blind with success but the most success was to get into a travel corridor or feed/food plot or travel area close to a buck bedding area. Weather is important also, cold/drizzly/misty days with temps in the upper 30's to mid 40's was always my favorite. The less wind the better, so the sound carries. You will be amazed at how a buck can pinpoint your exact spot just from a rattle or two. I always use a grunt tube when rattling also. Just remember you are imitating a fight and how aggressive the fight will be is the time of the year. So don't be afraid to rattle and make some noise. To bucks fighting are noisy and running over or into brush, trees limbs or rocks. If what you are doing does not work in one location does not mean it won't work 1/4 mile away in a different location.

rattling has been unbelievable the last week in Throckmorton City, we have several days where we got 10-20 bucks over the course of a day including 19 this morning. I rattle aggressively and have never used a grunt tube or made a grunting noise once in 30 years of rattling. I don't kick brush and I don't stomp around, whatever were doing it works good.