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Deer Calling

donnieballgame

donnieballgame

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
1,872
I did a little searching and didn't see anything on the topic. What are folks doing? What has worked, besides huck's FM radio, I was thinking more natural calls. Bleats, grunts, rattle, pre-rut, rut and post rut, extended season? I'm new to all of this and I've got an extinguisher, primo's can and a small rattle bag, I've messed around with them a bit. Not sure if they did any good or not, but I was curious what other folks have tried/used.

Obviously the rut is over, at least for most of us, but I've heard they can still breed for a while yet, fingers crossed!!!

Thanks,
donnie
 
FF675878-FA92-4C42-A391-78E4C475BCC6.jpeg I flipped my primos can call today. Heard steps behind me then he showed up. I call occasionally. If you happen to call a deer and he is in the right frame of mind I don’t think it matters how you call. Most times they will try to remain hidden and get down wind. I had that happen last month. I grunted a few times then a buck came in behind a doe. The doe crossed in front of me. The buck circled down wind in the thick stuff and stayed downwind until after dark. I think some times it does more harm than good but if you ever have a big buck come charging in after rattling or calling it’s hard not to give it a try.
 
I have had either zero response, or negative responses here in Texas.


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I'd like to call the biggest buck in the area, but I can find his number.

Now that the dad joke is out of the way. I've tried calling just about every way you could imagine. Including jumping down and running around through the weeds.(which did get one to come to my decoy for rifle) I've had some success but it's usually on younger deer. Older bucks around here usually give you a negative response or circle down wind. I think it works best in real right quarters where they can't see far or in a low pressured state.

After doing it for so many years I've basically quit calling all together. I think I tipped my can over once this year. I have found for me I like to be a ghost and not alert them. Once you call they usually go on alert, even if they seem to ignore it they are alerted that there is something over there. Just like using scents, I believe in higher pressured areas the older deer have heard it and smelled it before. I still carry a grunt call, bag and bleat can if Mr. Bigs is waking away I have nothing to lose by trying.
 
I have grunted and bleated several bucks in over the years but I have always seen them first. Can't say that I have ever called one in blind. If you catch a buck that looks like he is cruising or acting aggressive I feel I stand a decent chance getting him to come my direction. If he is just feeding I have had them completely ignore or move away from me when I call.

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I've had positive experiences with calling. I've called in multiple mature bucks with rattling and doe bleats. Pressure has a lot to do with it. It will work in heavily pressured states, but only if you're in a location that is never pressured.

For instance, I've called in bucks in southern GA, and in upstate NY when I was hunting spots that never saw human intrusion (marshes, islands, super thick brush, etc). Calling in places like oak flats and more obvious stand site locations had much fewer positive results.

I also blind call. The downside to this is you never know if you might spook a buck already headed your way. It's a gamble.

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The only call I’ve had success with is the can call. Other calls I’ve had them stop and look then ignore. Some even scared them off. Never seen a negative response from a can call. Had bucks and does run in before also. They just don’t last. Trash gets in them or they get wet and it’s trashed.
 
One downside to calling is that the deer almost always comes in looking for the source of the noise. This usually means you don't have any margin for error with movement or a bad wind.
 
It also puts them on alert for noise and I think they are more likely to duck an arrow.
 
I've had success mostly blind calling over the years. Had luck rattling in KS, but it's KANSAS. Most successful calling does by blowing through hole in bottom of a estrus bleat can call.
 
I called and rattled in numerous buck and doe over the years. I won't hunt without a deer call. I use the extinguisher and the true talker and modern calls hands free buck and doe and synthetic antlers for rattling.
 
Scoutman said:
I've had success mostly blind calling over the years. Had luck rattling in KS, but it's KANSAS. Most successful calling does by blowing through hole in bottom of a estrus bleat can call.
Click to expand...

Never thought of blowing through a can call.


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I've had a decent amount of success calling. Biggest buck I've actually killed by calling was a 3yr 130 I believe. I got a 2 yr old ten point this year by rattling on the ground and making it too difficult for him to get downwind. I've called in numerous young bucks and a SMALL handfull of pretty big ones 3-5yrs, there aren't many to begin with where I hunt. From what I've seen the big ones ALWAYS try to get downwind and that's what makes it difficult to actually shoot them but they will come if its the right time, right situation etc. Ideally the bucks gonna come past upwind on its on but if I'm feeling like there's little chance of that happening I'll try to make something happen and almost had it work out on some really nice deer which is better than nothing happening imo. If I think I'm on one and he's gonna get to me before my wind, no way am I calling to him because there's a better chance if I call he'll find a way to get my wind before I get him. Deer hear other deer all the time so if you sound genuine your not gonna scare them out of the woods. Some might come in, some might swing downwind, and others might not care and not come in at all. I've had a rattle bag work but a thick set of real antlers works a lot better. Rattle and grunts work well in the rut mornings and evenings in rut and some soft grunts throughout the day. Soft grunts early season morning and evening work sometimes too. Just my 2 cents but figured I'd chime in since I end up trying some sort of calling probably 75% of my hunts.
 
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