Tips for Using Deer Rattles

Just before the start of the forearms season, Whitetail bucks start to rut. This means that they become very territorial and run singly or with one or two does. During this time, the bucks are extremely aggressive and will fight for territory. The sound of rattling deer antlers can bring a dominant buck into what he perceives to be his area.

This time of year is when the use of deer rattles is a very good tactic to use. There is a right way to use them, a wrong way to use them and a preferable way to use them. Here are some tips for you to consider.

Some hunters prefer alternative materials for a deer rattle. Hard plastics, acrylics and synthetic bone are all valid choices, but I prefer to use the antlers sawn directly off the skull of a buck. This gives more of a natural sound to the rattle and makes me more confident in using the tactic.

Effective deer rattling is best done in tandem with another hunter. One will be located on the ground within 30 or 40 yards of the other hunter, who is up in a tree stand. The reason for this is that deer are not as dumb as you may like to think they are. The sound has to come from ground level and not 15 or 20 feet above the floor of the woods. Deer know the difference.

Also realize that not every buck will come charging in to look for a fight and defend his territory. Some will do this and some will sneak around the edges of the area. This is especially true in heavy or dense cover situations. This also makes the case for having one hunter up high to scout the activity as he will have a vantage point unavailable from the ground.

The use of heavy or lightweight antlers is another personal choice dictated by experience. Many hunters want the heaviest pair of rattles they can get their hands on thinking that big rattle sounds bring big deer in. Others feel that lighter antlers suggest younger, smaller deer in battle and a larger, dominant buck will be drawn in looking for an easy victory.

In either case, the season you are hunting is vital to the tactic you use. Only use a deer rattle in rutting season. By using rattles outside of this time of the year, the bucks will not be as aggressive (actually, not aggressive at all) and the trick will not work.

It is best to have a set that is joined by a rope or lanyard, so they are always together. You can also sling them over your shoulder if you get a shot while using them. I have seen hunters with their rattles actually tied to their jacket sleeve or the bottom of their jacket for convenience. In this way, the rattle can be dropped or let go in a hurry for obvious reasons.  So the best tip I can give you for using deer rattles is to use them wisely and in the proper season. Do not sit there and rattle incessantly for hours; it isn't natural.