Rattling

[Silver Bear]

Living in Western New York, our crossbow season does not start until November 7th. I am wondering if any Northern hunters use rattling as a technique to entice bucks at this time of year. I do not have any real antlers to use. What commercial antlers do you use and what technique?

Thanks,
Silver Bear

[BrotherRon]

I think that is a little late for rattling. I do most of my rattling just prior to the rut. I use a rattle bag that can be purchased from any sporting goods store.

[xcaliber]

I use a rattle bag with good results, and our rut kicks in usually about November 9th. I find that the last week of October, and first few days of November work best. I think the trick that we really want to pull off is to have a buck think the first hot doe is being fought over. I rattle with a little bit of doe estrous out as far as I like to shoot, down wind from me. I have had rattling sessions that I thought went nowhere, and 35 minutes later, there is a buck sneaking in. Find an area with plenty of buck sign, and sneak in with a climber, you'll be surprised.

[Drew]

As we are starting to see bigger bucks move during daylight already I plan on starting some rattling soon. Probably by next wknd. I bought a set of rattling antlers about 25yrs ago and have never used them. Time to start!

[BryanGrizzlyohio]

I'm not in new York but rattle bags in Ohio are very effective pre rut during the an late season.

[BrotherRon]

I also use a doe estrus bleat sometimes when rattling, and sometimes without rattling with good results.

[BryanGrizzlyohio]

My bleat can had me a spike an lil basket 6 within shooting range this evening.

[DaveShooter]

Its not to late to rattle depending on where you are at in the country. I have rattled before the rut as well as after the rut had Deer come in all the time and I hunt on the ground with no blind just good ole fashioned camo I wear. Love to do Hand to hand combat with them Whitetails as I gave up the ole tree stands yrs ago. Just work the Horns or rattle bad along with a grunt call at different volumes or length in calling by Horns or Rattling !!! Hope that helps ya out !!!