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Grunt

webbosky

New Member
I have been seeing quite a few different bucks while in the stand. My question is, I'm seeing them crossing a creek about 60-75 yards down from my stand. My stand is the closest it can get to that area. Do you think it is too early to start doing a little grunting or even tickling some antlers together. I just can't get them close enough right now. I'm located in southern MN along the border. Let me know what you think!!
 
I would try it but I wouldn't go insane with it. Low impact would be the key. If it doesn't get their attention or flat out doesn't work, I would wait to later in the year. You might be suprised at what will work. It's been perfect weather. I remember one year when it was cold like this on OCT. 06 I grunted in a 150s 8 pointer. I didn't get a shot due to no shooting lanes, but he came right in at 25 yards then walked right by and kept on going. I couldnt believe it. I didn't think it would work, then it did, then I wasn't prepared at all.
 
Rattling might bring them in to have a look but it's kindof a longshot. I would grunt when you can see them and actually see their reaction. I just saw a realtree video where Michael waddell used a snort wheeze on a buck in full velvet and the buck turned and came to him so anything's possible.
 
I would let them go about their early season business/pattern and not disturb them. Then, in the first week of Nov., I would try rattling them in. If they are in the area there is no need to disturb them, and take a chance of bumping them out of the area. I have had great success doing this and have killed the same bucks I have seen out of range during early Nov. I saw early October by simply not pressuring them.
 
Calling this time of year is very effective. Just gotta realize that they're simply sparring with each other rather than battling. Keep it light and short. Grunting always works. I grunted in a nice 3 year old last week. One or two to get his attention and a third or fourth to get him coming.
 
Grunt your face off, they are extremely vocal this time of year. id go light on the rattling for another week tho, this weekend however, id take the horns a long and do some light rattling
 
I wouldn't rattle at all if you can see them. But if you're sure they are close but not in view, I'd try some light rattling. I agree with Thomas though, grunt your head off. It's so much easier to judge their reactions. Good luck!
 
It seems obvious to me...

that you should move yuor stand about 30 yards or so! :)

But seriously, I have, and I know others that have too, successfully grunted bucks in at this time of the year. I have also had them ignore it too, I think you aren't risking too much though to try it and probably keep it on the less aggressive side.

Good luck!
 
A friend of mine rattled one in and killed it last weekend. Catch a deer in the right mood and he will come.
 
A guy I know rattled in a 140" 8 point last weekend and shot it. I would definitely give rattling and grunting a shot. I would go light with the rattling though. I wouldn't wait til November....you need to capture the opportunity while you have it. You have no idea what the deer might do when the rut starts up in November. I wouldn't bank on him keeping to his same patterns and being there come November.
 
I think grunting coupled with a decoy could work well this time of year. Some does will come into estrus in mid october and the mature bucks no this. I watched two good bucks dogging a doe wed night 200yds from my house, I don't think they were wasting their time.
 
With this weather change coming thru this weekend it might get them ready to listen. I plan on trying some light rattling and some light grunting. I'm ready to get to the stand tonite.
 
The right mood and the right personality.... each deer is different, but on the safe side Grunting is the way to go if they are in your sight... You can see their reactions and it makes it much easier to play the situation. horns can bite you in the butt if you are within view of the deer... he picks up his head and sees white antlers 15feet up in a tree clashing together, he most likley will be gone. I have seen some sparing going on, but early oct. usually wont bring them running like a grunt will. However, in two weeks I wouldnt hesitate on the horns.
 
I wouldn't hesitate, but keep it on the non-aggressive side. I grunted at the mature buck I shot last night and, obviously, he was very receptive to it. The first couple got his attention, and a snort wheeze actually turned him back my way. He came in to 15 yds and I smoked him! :way:

Give 'er a whirl - you never know.
 
A friend of mine rattled one in and killed it last weekend. Catch a deer in the right mood and he will come.

That's the story all season long. If you rattle at a buck who just got beat up, he's not gonna come in. It's all about catching them in the right mood. They just tend to be in an aggressive mood more often later in the season. Definitely grunt. Light rattling.
 
I grunted a 3 1/2 year old in last night. Came on a string with two grunts from my clover field. Then after he got in my lane (I passed him) he got downwind and you know the rest of the story :(

Should have left him alone but had no intention of shooting him and wanted to have some fun. So yes, it can work early!
 
Bummed.....

So I went out last night and about 20 minutes after being in the stand I seen a buck cross the creek but couldn's see how big he was. I put a few grunts out and sat back and waited. Nothing came. After about a half hour I heard something, looked around and saw nothing. Heard something again looked around and nothing. The next thing I know I have this 130" 9 pointer standing broadside behind me. I went to grab the bow and then we had about a 10 minute staring contest. All I needed was for him to put his head down and we would have been guttin' deer. He then turns and trots about another 30 yards away, so he is about 50 now, turns looks back and then goes about his day. No snorts or flagged tail so I'm thinking good. I waited about 3-4 minutes and put another series of grunts out. Not much long after my friend who owns the land texts me and said he had this nice buck run across the road about 200 yards away from my stand and I told him yes I did. So I figured he is history. Next these two does come down the creek bed and right to where he was standing, messed around eating acorns and then bedded down about 75 yards away. So once dark hit I crept from my stand and went to the truck. I called him on the way home and he didn't answer. Got home and was eating supper when he called back on his way back home. He was pulling into the drive way and said" you'll never bleeping believe this. He is standing about 150 yards from my stand and about 50 from the driveway with the two does. I was so bummed I couldn't get a shot. Dreamed all night about it. :( My question is I have had a few active scrapes in that area. Do you think he will keep returning back here? Please say yes because I want to le the air out of this one....
 
Sounds to me like you didnt spook him, dont know why he wouldnt be back.

BUMMED? I would excited as all get out over activity like. NICE!
 
I agree with everyone on here, have had deer respond to horns and grunting already this year.

kratz
 
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