Rattling bags and success

[TomBow]

Had any luck rattling in Minnesota and ever used one of the rattling bags with success? Please explain how you rattle (volume, a typical rattling sequence and how long you rattle).
Thanks.

[NELS-BELLS]

Three times I've rattled deer in. Two bucks and one time I had a doe come in and check it out. All three times were the last weekend of Oct., early in the morning and I was using real horns that I got from a 7 pointer I had shot years ago with a gun.

The first and most exciting time was when I came across an area in the woods where the leaves were all moved around like some people had been wrestling or something. I got down on my knees to set my bow down and get the horns out of my backback. While on my knees (big mistake) I started rattling and all of a sudden I heard something come running through the leaves and stop about 20 yards behind me. Everything was quiet then for a few seconds until I turned my head around to see what it was and that is when I was starring eye to eye with a decent size buck. Before I could say "Holy ****" the deer turned and ran off. About an hour later I finally stopped shaking. Lesson learned!

The second time I rattled a buck in, I was in a tree stand and was able to harvest the deer. It was only a 6 pt. but it was my first bow kill and the fact that I rattled it in made it very rewarding.
I am a believer!
Not sure about the rattle bags.

Good luck,
Nels

[This message has been edited by NELS-BELLS (edited 09-02-2004).]

[bigbucks]

Technically I haven't used a rattling bag, but I use one of those plastic two paddled rattle "boxes" I suppose you'd call them. I have had only moderate success with them I'd say. I've a had a few smaller bucks cautiously come to investigate, but not a lot. Personally where we are I'm not convinced there's usually enough competition for does to make it that effective, but I certainly could be wrong. I know a few others who've done it to without much success.

I usually will rattle 30 seconds to a minute, sometime twice with about that long in between. I'll do that every half hour maybe when I'm being really aggressive. I'm normally in a tree so I will try to shake branches a little too if there's a workable one handy & mix in various pitches & volumes of grunt calls, trying to sound like two different deer.

Personally I've had the most luck with the doe bleat can call for blind calling. One night last year that call brought in 5 bucks, two first & the others one at a time, over a half hour or so until all were in view within a 100 yards. I've had success with both the can & the grunt on deer I could see. I once missed a yearling doe & she left the field. I called her back with the grunt & drilled her.

[mudman]

October 13th 2002(the perfect day)
It just snow 4" in st.cloud and I spent the entire day in my stand. I rattled in 5 different bucks before noon with a rattle bag. I shot the 7th one at 3pm an 8pt that scored 143 p&y
I perfer the bag, over real ones for the convience factor
1- I start very quite rolling the bag on my thigh while sitting down. toss in a quite grunt or 2 and wait 15 min. just in case there is one near by.
2- Grunt 2 short 1 long wait 5 min
3- repeat 1&2with increaseing lenght & loudness for 3 sessions then wait 30 min or so.

The whole key is that it has to be the right time.
PRE RUT BABY!!!!!!!

[TomBow]

Wow, Mudman! What a day, eh?
Which bag (brand, model) do you use? I hunt NW of St. Cloud so it's good to hear of your experience in that area. Timing's gotta be the key as well as buck competition. I have "the can" and a True-Talker grunt call but haven't had much success but also haven't used it much. I'm planning on doing more calling this year.
Thanks guys.

[mudman]

Primos, I think?
you can rotate in bigger sticks and smaller sticks depending on what you want for sound.
I was on some private land along the mississippi. It was great! then it was ruined by some drunk *****s!! the drove there truck right through the beans and corn and really upset the farmer, now no one can hunt it!

[paceman]

I have rattled in does and small bucks with real horns (oops I mean antlers) but once I swithed to the rattle box I have not brought anything in. However I have had some success with grunting. The last deer I arrowed was a decent 8 pointer that I saw walking along a ridge about 100 yards away. It was the day before the rifle season. I gave a good blow on the tube, he stopped in his tracks trying to pinpoint my location. Once he turned his head to look behind him I gave it a good blow again. He shook his head and started trotting right toward me. I grabbed my bow and as he walked by my stand he gave me a perfect 8 yard shot. That was fun. Without the grunt he never would have come close to me at all.

[TomBow]

Mud--It sure sucks when people don't respect the farmers property! To me it's a no-brainer--show the landowner AND his property respect and show how much you appreciate the PRIVILEGE to hunt on their property.

Pace--I have heard a few people say they've used the rattling box (Lohman brand?) with success. I think I'll pick up the Primos bag. I like "The Truth" show and have been throwing money at Primos turkey calls for a few years so I don't mind throwing a little more money their way.

I have been pretty buck un-lucky over the years, but I did get a huge bodied deer with a busted rack last year during a metro hunt so I'm hoping that was the start of better buck success. Not a big deal to me, can't eat horns but they sure look purdy on the wall!!

Thanks guys for your comments, hope your hunts are great this year. Best of Luck!

[jlm]

I have never used the bags but have some success with real antlers and grunt calls. Seems to work best with small bucks or in areas that have a higher buck/doe ratio. I too have called in many does. Anyone ever rattle in another hunter?

[TomBow]

Sure, Just get your self the Primos Uncapper (sounds like a bottle of cold beer being opened) and clink two bottles together repeatedly and combine this with the Primos Laugh-inator-adjustable to sound like a group of hunting buddies sitting around having a good time. Of course, you can't forget the Primos That's-a-huge-buck can call. It's best to try this after shooting hours are over. It'll bring 'em right in, usually runnin'!

[jlm]

LOL, thanks for the laugh Tom!

[BLACKJACK]

In the Outdoor News this week, Clancy has a good article on using the rattling bags. Almost makes me want to run out and buy one! I wonder if hes sponsored by Primos, the bag he recommends??!

[panolo]

I have rattled in a few using about the same method as mudman. I also have a primos rattle bag.