when to rattle and grunt?

[icecold]

Question to all experienced rattlers, When is a good time to rattling this coming gun opener? should a guy rattle right at 6;30 legal shooting time or wait till later in the morning??

[Jeremiah Johnson]

I would wait unless there is no wind, and its a cold crisp morning, then it would be very tempting! I would rattle right away then in the morning if the conditions are right.

[tjm]

Area i'm in is about all done with those tactics.Were going to get out the fawn/doe calls.Most of the fighting is done with unless you get 2 bucks near the same size wanting the same doe

We tried those tactics several different times the past few days between 5 guys and not 1 buck responded they were all chasing

[deerdragger]

Saturday evening, just before dusk I heard two bucks sparring about 75 yards from my stand. I waited for a break in the action and offered them a few grunts. In they came. The first was a basket-rack 6 pointer and the second was a decent 7 pointer. The little guy came to the base of my tree - winded me and bounded once to his rear. The 7 pointer was stalled out about 18 yards away - he offered me a decent shot and my arrow was on the way.

My first buck w/ a bow, and I couldn't be happier. I've called in a number of bucks w/ the grunt call at first light on firearms opener - I'm a big fan of the TrueTalker. Its adjustable pitch is a nice feature - I depress the reed right at the base so it makes a nice grunt sound, but not that of a mega-grand-daddy buck.

[Black_Bay]

I do my best to rattle and grunt before I leave the shack. I hate having to do that in the woods. Although sometimes when a guy has to go, a guy has to go.

Sorry I couldn't resist. I agree rattling during the gun season isn't that effective. I like using "The Can" doe bleat. I accidentally called an 8 pointer in the first time I used it. What happened was I had just got to my stand and was getting ready setting my things out and I dropped the can. It lets out comes this BRAAAPPP, and I think great drop it you goof. The next thing I hear is a grunt from in front of me then a grunt snort wheeze. Let me tell you that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. I kept working the call and the buck keep grunting and trying to work down wind of me. He eventually worked his way to a trail and stepped out. He was a nice 8 point but not huge. I was just so surprised and having so much fun calling back and forth that I really couldn't shoot anyway. I'm glad I didn't. The next year I got a beautiful 10 pointer off the same stand.