I am going to try using calls for the first time this year for deer. Having never used them before, what are good techniques for using them. I have picked up a couple of MAD brand calls, the Hyper Growl and the Boss Babe Bleat. I have been playing around and practicing with them and they sound pretty good but I have no idea how much/often to use them in the field...
Using Calls For Deer
- Thread starter Joe549
- Start date
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
I've never had much luck using calls for deer..(Southern Ontario), but rattling antlers a whole other game. We've taken our most and biggest bucks to rattling. We usually rattle aggressive for about 3 minutes, grab the gun, sit still and be ready for 15-20 minutes,...repeat. 80% of our deer have been taken by this method, many times they come in quick looking for who's making all the noise.
Using a deer call speak when spoken too or if you see a deer and want him to stop. Although usually a well timed mehHH ! Or a wheeze/snort will do the trick without having to buy the fancy gear . Rattling used in moderation works well sometimes (close to the rut or leading up to it. )
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
The time of year dictates the type of call/lure.
Calf bleats/distress will almost get a response all year round, from does of course.
You can call too much also.
Earlier on it should be less aggressive and sometimes only a single doe bleat or grunt.Study the types of grunts and bleats and how to use them, too many for me to list.
Close to and during the rut you can become more aggressive as the animals do the same.This is when I find it is best to rattle, only at the peak of activity.
A dominant or aggressive buck in the area really does not want you at his does and with proper technique he will come blasting in and try to find you or at least drive you off.I have had bucks do complete circles around me and go grunt for grunt with my grunts, be this as it is, they are still cautious and won't expose themselves too easily.
I quick grunt can also stop a deer in it tracks if they are on the move.A properly done series of grunts will have them coming to see who you are also.
The one thing I must include is to watch your wind while you do this.Use it to your advantage, and don't get caught up in hardwoods or realtree camo as well as covers scents, washes , anti odor products etc.They all work great for hiding from people but deer have those damn noses and ears that you can't trick too easily, and, they don't see the color patterns in camo, you could wear a clown suit and call in white tail.
Calf bleats/distress will almost get a response all year round, from does of course.
You can call too much also.
Earlier on it should be less aggressive and sometimes only a single doe bleat or grunt.Study the types of grunts and bleats and how to use them, too many for me to list.
Close to and during the rut you can become more aggressive as the animals do the same.This is when I find it is best to rattle, only at the peak of activity.
A dominant or aggressive buck in the area really does not want you at his does and with proper technique he will come blasting in and try to find you or at least drive you off.I have had bucks do complete circles around me and go grunt for grunt with my grunts, be this as it is, they are still cautious and won't expose themselves too easily.
I quick grunt can also stop a deer in it tracks if they are on the move.A properly done series of grunts will have them coming to see who you are also.
The one thing I must include is to watch your wind while you do this.Use it to your advantage, and don't get caught up in hardwoods or realtree camo as well as covers scents, washes , anti odor products etc.They all work great for hiding from people but deer have those damn noses and ears that you can't trick too easily, and, they don't see the color patterns in camo, you could wear a clown suit and call in white tail.
My calls from MAD came with DVDs explaining how to use and showed footage of their use in actual hunting situations. I'll be trying them out this season in moderation of course since deer are not very vocal all the time.
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
Heck we were building a treestand, hammering nails after about 20mins we stopped to take a break, a huge buck walked within 50yds, only to snort and take off when we turn to look. Strange animals sometimes.
I live on a farm and we get many chances to play around with the deer. One of the coolest ways to get a running/walking deer is to whistle at it! I've gotten my best bucks that way. My partner can whistle good and bring them to a halt, myself I have to use a whistle around my neck.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
NShunter1254
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia Canada
Every big buck i ever shot was after calling,I use an electronic call
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Sometimes you can go grunt for grunt with a buck during the rut.They will try get down wind of the sound and try see who is wanting to fight.
Pre-rut , maybe a call every 20 or 30 minutes and sometimes that I feel is too often.
Master your doe bleats(locating , distress, warning ,estrous peak , all are different)
Thing is, most of the time you will know very soon once you begin if there is deer in the immediate area.In my experience they are coming in within only a few minutes of beginning the calling.If nothing has happened within a half an hour they are not in the area or not receptive to calling.Wait or try another spot or come back later.
If it is a high traffic area patience and stealth are very good techniques, wait and if you need to stop an animal then hit the grunt.
ALWAYS stop and listen, sometimes there is more sound coming from animals than you think.
Pre-rut , maybe a call every 20 or 30 minutes and sometimes that I feel is too often.
Master your doe bleats(locating , distress, warning ,estrous peak , all are different)
Thing is, most of the time you will know very soon once you begin if there is deer in the immediate area.In my experience they are coming in within only a few minutes of beginning the calling.If nothing has happened within a half an hour they are not in the area or not receptive to calling.Wait or try another spot or come back later.
If it is a high traffic area patience and stealth are very good techniques, wait and if you need to stop an animal then hit the grunt.
ALWAYS stop and listen, sometimes there is more sound coming from animals than you think.
I was bored and tired, about 25 yards from my truck, and sitting overlooking a river bottom flat.
I blew on my deer call like it was a party horn on New Years Eve, three long blasts, just to see if anything would get up and run. Nothing did. But about 4 or 5 minutes later, a nice little buck came trotting across the flat towards me.
You have videos? Set up a TV and a player so the deer can see the videos. Then they will know how to react, eh? It seems about the only safe thing to say about them is that what worked yesterday, might not work tomorrow.
I was never convinced, about either calls or rattling, until I tried them on deer that I could see minding their own business, and was able to see their reactions to the sounds. Lots of value in finding a spot where you can muck about with the deer without shooting them, whether you set up on the edge of a park or just go get the Elk all worked up at the local zoo.
Cheers
Trev
I blew on my deer call like it was a party horn on New Years Eve, three long blasts, just to see if anything would get up and run. Nothing did. But about 4 or 5 minutes later, a nice little buck came trotting across the flat towards me.
You have videos? Set up a TV and a player so the deer can see the videos. Then they will know how to react, eh?
It seems about the only safe thing to say about them is that what worked yesterday, might not work tomorrow.I was never convinced, about either calls or rattling, until I tried them on deer that I could see minding their own business, and was able to see their reactions to the sounds. Lots of value in finding a spot where you can muck about with the deer without shooting them, whether you set up on the edge of a park or just go get the Elk all worked up at the local zoo.
Cheers
Trev
I don't leave home without a deer call or two.
There are many ways to use them and DVDs or videos show you lots of good techniques.
I often hear people say "don't over call" and "once every 30 min. is lots" But I disagree. If a buck is walking along going from feeding to bedding or searching for does, he can come into hearing range and then walk out of hearing range in 10 or 15 min. And if that is the time period you are not calling, you miss the chance to attract him to you.
I don't often do a lot of calling by itself at random locations trying to call in a deer though. If I see or hear a deer and there is no shot opportunity I will call to bring them out into the open. When I am rattling I will call. If I spook a deer I will call right away to stop them.
One time I was deer hunting and saw some wolves chasing some deer. I let out a fawn distress call and two wolves came running to me and I shot them both.
And you don't have to use really expensive calls.
There are many ways to use them and DVDs or videos show you lots of good techniques.
I often hear people say "don't over call" and "once every 30 min. is lots" But I disagree. If a buck is walking along going from feeding to bedding or searching for does, he can come into hearing range and then walk out of hearing range in 10 or 15 min. And if that is the time period you are not calling, you miss the chance to attract him to you.
I don't often do a lot of calling by itself at random locations trying to call in a deer though. If I see or hear a deer and there is no shot opportunity I will call to bring them out into the open. When I am rattling I will call. If I spook a deer I will call right away to stop them.
One time I was deer hunting and saw some wolves chasing some deer. I let out a fawn distress call and two wolves came running to me and I shot them both.
And you don't have to use really expensive calls.
- Location
- Chilliwack BC
Bleats work, I called out a WT buck last week. First time!!
