The only buck I ever rattled in that was big enough to shoot I used a bag. Ive tried horns and the bag with about the same results; minimal. They work great for rattling in 2 and 3 year olds, but now I have gotten to the point where I only use the horns as a last resort on something I know isnt coming my way. I would go with horns, but some of the bags sound just as good.
scout
New Member
I like horns. The bags and other gizmos are hard to as aggressive as I like later in the rut. If I had any use for a bag it would be to "finish" a buck once it was close where it may see me work antlers.
I have good size horns but I'm still looking for some 150 class antlers to use.
Rattling works! Nothing is 100%. I have little trouble calling in 3 or 4 bucks a season. The bigger they are the less they respond.
Until the rut peaks
Then it's time to have big horns and smash them as if you wanted to break them.
I have good size horns but I'm still looking for some 150 class antlers to use.
Rattling works! Nothing is 100%. I have little trouble calling in 3 or 4 bucks a season. The bigger they are the less they respond.
Shredder
Life Member
I am with Scout on this one. If you hunt areas that have a more balanced buck to doe ratio, it works even better. I prefer the horns myself over the bags but I may get the larger rattling bag this fall just to see if it works out. In the 1998 season, from Oct20-Nov20, I rattled in no less than 30 bucks with half being over 125 inches....in missouri.
Skully
PMA Member
I rattled in a buck on my farm last year in Nov. that scored 150". I use a 130" set of cut offs and they sound great. I was watching a hunting show the other night where they were using a rattle bag. It sounded like a bag of wooden dowels banging together to me!
Wonder what it sounds like to a deer?
M
MNHunter
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
I rattled in a buck on my farm last year in Nov. that scored 150". I use a 130" set of cut offs and they sound great. I was watching a hunting show the other night where they were using a rattle bag. It sounded like a bag of wooden dowels banging together to me!
Wonder what it sounds like to a deer?
[/ QUOTE ]
I guess they should have used the bag full of plastic sticks instead of the wood ones
I rattled in a buck on my farm last year in Nov. that scored 150". I use a 130" set of cut offs and they sound great. I was watching a hunting show the other night where they were using a rattle bag. It sounded like a bag of wooden dowels banging together to me!
[/ QUOTE ]
I guess they should have used the bag full of plastic sticks instead of the wood ones
PointBlank
Member
Anybody tried HS Heavy Horns? They look like an improvement over the smaller bags.
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
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The pair I use I bought from JNBronc last year and they are from a ~130" inch class deer and they have worked great for me so far.
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As if it matters, they are sheds from two different deer
I know this because they were found 20 years and 90 miles apart. I'm going to give the set you didn't buy a good work out this year.
Really looking forward to getting back into bowhunting.
The pair I use I bought from JNBronc last year and they are from a ~130" inch class deer and they have worked great for me so far.
[/ QUOTE ]
As if it matters, they are sheds from two different deer
kansasbowhunter
Shed Head!!!
I have had some success rattling... I have a 140" set that I use. Some days they work and some they don't. When they do work, watch out!!! My most memorable hunt was a time that I got to my stand a little late and made a lot of noise getting in my stand. I dropped an arrow on my platform and I remember letting my bow "Clang" against my stand.... I will never forget sitting there after making all of that noise and thinking that I more than likely scared everything out of the county....
After letting things settle down for about 15 minutes I grabbed my antlers and worked them hard. I immediately heard something running towards me.... I grabbed my bow, hooked up my release and immediately drew... Within seconds I had a 20" wide 8 pointer standing under my stand with his ears back looking to kick someones ass!!!!
An awesome hunt!!!
I can hardly wait for the RUT!!!!
Mark...
After letting things settle down for about 15 minutes I grabbed my antlers and worked them hard. I immediately heard something running towards me.... I grabbed my bow, hooked up my release and immediately drew... Within seconds I had a 20" wide 8 pointer standing under my stand with his ears back looking to kick someones ass!!!!
An awesome hunt!!!
I can hardly wait for the RUT!!!!
Mark...
I personally don't leave home with out my rattling antlers. I use about a 155" set of heavy horns that sound like thunder when you hit them. I also use a rattle bag like Scout to "finish" them off. I keep it in my thigh pocket and use one hand to rub the rattle bag against my thigh. It sounds like ticking antlers then.
As far as my success with them I can't complain on the number of mature deer I've brought in with the horns. They seem to work great for me from nov. 1 to the 15th. Then again in late nov. and early dec. What I can complain about is my past stand placement when I used the horns. Alot more of those mature bucks would be on my wall if I knew what I know now. Hindsight is always 20/20, just live, learn and don't make the same mistake twice.
As far as my success with them I can't complain on the number of mature deer I've brought in with the horns. They seem to work great for me from nov. 1 to the 15th. Then again in late nov. and early dec. What I can complain about is my past stand placement when I used the horns. Alot more of those mature bucks would be on my wall if I knew what I know now. Hindsight is always 20/20, just live, learn and don't make the same mistake twice.
DOR
Life Member
What Talltines said is right on!
Stand placement is the key. I wonder how many monsters have come in down wind never to be seen and booger out of there.
I try whenever possible to select a stand location that is impossible or against a deers best judgment to get down wind of. One particular location I have had good luck with consists of a cliff edge off the back end and when the wind comes from the north the bucks cant detect me till its to late.
Stand placement is the key. I wonder how many monsters have come in down wind never to be seen and booger out of there.
I try whenever possible to select a stand location that is impossible or against a deers best judgment to get down wind of. One particular location I have had good luck with consists of a cliff edge off the back end and when the wind comes from the north the bucks cant detect me till its to late.