So many different sounds, so little time....

[jwhawkridge]

Question to anyone that's interested. This is my first year taking antlers, a grunt call and a bleat call into the woods. Recommendations on which should to use, how much, time of day etc.??? I'm going up north (the Emily area) this weekend from the 8th to the 11th (from what I hear thats peak rut, score!) and was wondering what would be the best strategy for me to get my first buck!

[sticknstring]

If it were me... I'd leave the rattling horns at the cabin. Bring a trusty grunt call and maybe a can call. We've got property just down the road towards Pine River and there's so many does that there's no competition between bucks. I've tried rattling throughout the years with various sized sheds... rattle bags and at different intensities really without any luck at all. But I've had bucks come to a grunt call time and time again. Now don't get me wrong... rattling works... IN certain area all dependent upon the sex ratio and age structure of deer. My area lacks both. Yours could be entirely different... If you do choose to rattle I'd do some light sparring and keep it to a minimum... hard clashing with a decent set will send every young buck out the of the county. I'd stick to a a few tending grunts followed by a bleat or two and another set of grunts and sit and be patient.

Just my experience though... there's 450,000 other hunters in the woods using calls with different experiences...

[jwhawkridge]

I'll give it a shot!!! Thanks much!!! Got 4 does (party hunting) last year and would like just one buck, even if its small, this year!!!