When to start calling?

[CurtisWalker]

New to calling this year and was wondering when to start grunting, rattling, estrous bleats, ect? Heard two bucks fighting two nights ago so I got me thinking. When does everyone start.

 

[SEIowaDeerslayer]

I don't use any calls until Halloween and even then I use them sparingly. Bucks in the areas I hunt usually go the other way when I rattle. Grunt calls works well though.

I rattled in a nice buck in 2009 late November, that was the only 3.5+ year old buck I've ever rattled in. Usually it just attracts dinks.

In my opinion, it all depends on your area. If you have low hunting pressure and you're hunting a spot where a mature buck can't get downwind of you, rattling should work well but I wouldn't smack the horns until later in Oct.

 

[StickersNKickers]

I may start tickling the horns this weekend, but probably won't get after it very hard. May depend on the activity I see. If I see any doe checking, I may have to throw out a bleat or two just to see what happens. Haven't done any calling yet, except for trying to call in a coyote for predator management, which didn't work. Probably spooked all the deer off the farm too!

 

[KnuckleDragr]

I usually don't even make a noise until the last week of October. Generally when I start hearing the deer make noise is when I call.

 

[skyleralan]

I usually don't even make a noise until the last week of October. Generally when I start hearing the deer make noise is when I call.

That is a good rule of thumb.

 

[bradley]

I rattled lightly to 2 bucks last weekend & they started sparing

 

[JOSHBRNDT]

My buddy rattled lightly last weekend and 4 different bucks came in. Probably gonna do some light tickling of the horns this weekend.

 

[BDAHMS]

last year from Nov2-8th I rattled deer in every day- on Nov 6th I had a different buck come running in every hour to the rattle

and the buck I killed last year busted me and when I hit the horns together he came back AGAIN - when they have ladies and fighting on their mind- nothing is better than watching a buck come running in on a string to a rattle and grunt

that being said- if you don't do it during rut and its too early- or too late - I have seen them run. but first 2 weeks of November- hit them horns together!

 

[Crockett]

There you are! Real deer do not make any sounds till the end of October!! Ok!!!

 

[bkcrrtnps]

That is a good rule of thumb.

Deer are vocal yr round....

 

[Mattstark44]

I hunt in Northeast Iowa and will for sure start doing some light rattling and some grunts.

 

[skyleralan]

Deer are vocal yr round....

To some extend.

 

[deeraddict]

Friend of mine and his brother in law were out this week early ML. Friend grunted and doe bleated at a buck they saw in the distance in the timber. He turned and walked right to them, shot him. 120-130" 8 pt with a huge body.

 

[drewgills]

fawn bawl works this time of year . does will come investigate.. also yotes owls foxes and bobcats/mt lions :^O

 

[Elitebowhunter]

i suck at it. so i just sit there.
Won't start rattling until November (if i still have a tag by then)