Deer Calling Tips
By Joe Bucher

The art of calling deer with either a grunt call or by rattling a set of shed antlers has become increasing popular.  Along with that, many things have been learned about how to effectively call deer, and many new commercially produced products have made the hunter more efficient at it, as well.  However, some hunters have the mistaken impression that all one needs to do now is simply blow on a grunt call or slam together a set of sheds and the deer will come running. Yet, in reality, quite the opposite often occurs.  If you don't choose your time to call wisely, and manipulate your call properly, you will get virtually no results at all.  Here's a few tips on how to call successfully.

First off, use your calls sparingly and do not call too much.  This is especially true if you are going to rattle.  Think about it C deer do not run all over the woods grunting and battling with every deer that they encounter.  Instead, these things occur at certain times of the day, at short intervals and at specific locations.

Secondly, while a short blow on a grunt call is likely to attract a buck anytime throughout the fall, it is often most effective later in October and on into mid November.  Rattling with antlers rarely works early in the season, and rarely works at mid day.  The best time to rattle is right after first light, and again right at sunset.  The closer you get to the actual peak of the rut, the more productive rattling becomes.

Finally, I have found that the grunt call is most effective at luring a deer you can already see.   Anytime you spot a deer that is cruising near your stand, but out of shot range, a quick hit from your grunt call is likely to stop that animal for a shot, or better yet, make him come towards you.  By the way, never blow on a grunt call when a buck is facing you. You do not want that deer to pinpoint your exact location; instead you want to simply make him curious and hopefully draw him into shot range.

Rattling and grunting both can be very effective at attracting deer C, but they must be employed properly in order to be really effective.

Choose your time wisely to both grunt and rattle, and you should experience some exciting hunting opportunities.