Why Rattle?


Rattling in deer can be one of the most exciting things a whitetail deer hunter can do to lure a trophy buck in. Many people hold varying opinions on rattling and there are more than a handful that push the method to the side in lieu of grunting, etc. I am of the opinion that when done correctly, and under the correct circumstances, rattling can be a deadly effective way to lure a buck within bow or rifle range.


So, what is the purpose behind rattling? The short and dirty of it is that rattling two antlers together simulates the sound of two bucks fighting. During the rut, bucks will typically fight over a doe who is ready to breed within their territory. By rattling, you may stimulate a dominant buck into action who will either be looking to come in and lay waste to bucks trying to take what is rightfully his, or a curious buck looking to sneak in to breed while the bucks he hears go after one another. During the rut, bucks get a little off-kilter and are more prone to do things that they would normally not (i.e. run to the sound of a fight). This gives you an added advantage.


One important thing to take into consideration is the size of antlers used to rattle. In my opinion, nothing substitutes for the real thing, so that bag of sticks that you may have picked up at Cabela’s or Bass Pro could work for you, but I’ll pass. I prefer smaller to medium sized matched sets of antlers. You will get a better response with less antler than if you start rattling with the set of 10-point drops that you found earlier in the year.

When & Where to Rattle


Do not attempt to rattle anytime other than the rut – and even more specifically when you are confident that the bucks in your area are primed to breed. One indication of this would be a higher buck to doe ratio. Anything close to 1 to 1 or more in the buck’s favor tilts the scales your way for success.


For the most part, non-aggressive rattling works better. The only circumstance where this may not be the case is when bucks far outnumber does and absolutely need to be more aggressive to ensure the genes continue on.


Finally, and most importantly, setup is crucial in being able to rattle a buck in. Whitetail deer are by nature very cautious animals and though the odds will be more in your favor during the rut, a buck is more than likely to try to sneak in to investigate rattling in his territory. Since the most powerful defense for a deer is it’s nose, you can expect the buck to approach from down-wind, utilizing his superior sense of smell. Take into consideration the prevailing wind where you are hunting and plan your stand or blind location accordingly. Try to put open space between yourself and the deer to force him to go out into the open to investigate.


These are just a few tips to help you out with rattling for whitetail. As I always say, no amount of reading can substitute for actual time in a stand and in the field before the season even starts. Take the time to survey the land, take notes and plan accordingly.

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