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.

Hunting with Deer Rifles

Of all the ways to hunt deer, one of the most exciting is hunting with deer rifles. I have hunted with bows, crossbows and shotguns. Hunting with a rifle beat them all for thrill alone. Why do I say that?  With a deer rifle a long range shot is a possibility with the right equipment.

Hunting with deer rifles is sort of like the way the pioneers did it. Of course, they were using muzzleloaders for the most part, but they were still rifles.  Take a position on the ground and conceal yourself with ground brush and twigs for a close range opportunity. Go up in a tree stand for a long range perspective. Both are equally acceptable.

To go hunting with a deer rifle is simple enough. All you need to take into the field with you is your gun, extra ammunition and assorted day supplies. This may include food (if you eat in the woods), water, deer cleaning supplies and/or extra cold weather gear for the winter months.

It is important to know your deer rifle and its capabilities. Some rifles are accurate up to 1000 yards and others are not. I prefer a 30-06 where it is legal. Now your accuracy is dependent on your scope. That scope needs to be adjusted so that the bullet goes where you want it to go. Therefore, you need to go to the range and sight your rifle in.

You also need to know how to properly adjust the elevation and windage on the scope to keep it accurate. The suggested distance to use for this is 100 yards. This is because the hash marks on the adjustments are made to reflect a quarter inch each at that distance. If you can drop a half dozen shots into a 4 or 5 inch circle at 100 yards consistently, you're good to go.

Of course, there are always adjustments to be made on every shot during the hunt. Factors like wind, rain, snow or line of sight all figure in significantly. Then there is the drop of the bullet. Consider all of these things when lining up the crosshairs on your trophy.

To get ready for hunting with deer rifles, you need to go scouting a bit before the season begins. Deer routes change from year to year, so you need to know the area you want to hunt is homing deer. Then you should go to the shooting range and make sure your deer rifle is set properly. Sight in your scope (if you have one), clean the gun thoroughly and bore sight the weapon if necessary.

Go over your supplies and get everything together for the trip into the field. Wash your hunting clothes in a scent free detergent and invest in some scent wafers. Place your washed hunting gear into a plastic bag with a scent wafer. In addition to this, wear the wafers into the field to conceal your human scent.

All this preparation will lead you to a successful hunt. Being prepared is always the best way to go and if you have scouted the area well, you are sure to fill your freezer with some venison.

Tips For Scouting Deer

Well, it's that time of year again and the fever is already taking hold. I'm talking about deer hunting and if you are like me, you know exactly what I am talking about. One of the first things we need to do in order to help make a successful hunt is scout the areas we will be hunting. Here are some tips for scouting deer.

Know your area and know the signs of life

Pick out several different areas that you will want to hunt. The main idea in scouting deer is to know the area well. Remember that you are entering their home and they know it a lot better than you do. Walk through the area few weeks prior to hunting season and look for signs of deer life. Deer leave behind a few visible signs that they are there, like rubs, scrapes and bedding spots. Knowing how to spot these things is vital to our success as hunters.

As you walk through the area, keep a sharp eye out for the signs that deer are in the vicinity. During the early archery season, males (bucks) are not yet territorial and run in packs of three or four along with a few females (does). So what you want to look for now are tracks. Take note of what direction they are pointing and follow them until you cannot go any further.  This will give you a clear picture of where the deer run and where they run to.

Sometime in the middle of November, the bucks start rutting and become territorial. This is when they run alone or with a doe or two. Scouting during rutting season is a bit different. During this time, you need to look for buck rubs, ground scrapes and bedding areas. Deer are creatures of habit and usually stay within a two mile radius if where they are born. If you can lock onto that, you'll find them; IF you're patient.

Scouting from afar

Another scouting method is to find a vantage point that overlooks the area and simply watch the activity. Areas that offer all the necessities are what to look for. This includes cover, water and food sources. Find a combination of any two of these elements and you are just about certain to spot deer there.

During your walk through, take notes on the places that look promising, then find the vantage point and watch with a spotting scope or binoculars. Deer will normally travel through the same spot every day at the same time. As I said, they are creatures of habit, so get to know their habits and routes.

Scouting (trail) cameras are good for pinning down when deer are in a specific spot at a specific time of day. This information can be vital to a successful hunt. Once you get the deer's routine down, you can tailor your excursion to that schedule and see more deer than you shake a stick at.

Scouting deer is not a hard thing to do or difficult to learn. It is a little time consuming and requires you to think ahead a bit, so get off the couch a couple weeks early and scout out your areas!

NOTE: Always place your deer stands or blinds at least a month prior to opening day. Deer know what does and does not belong there. Becoming a part of the natural setting goes a long way to bagging the big one!