What makes good rattling antlers?

First, find the freshest sheds possible. The older and dryer the antlers, the less sound they will produce. Second, find a large, mature set of antlers to work with, because they will produce better sound and provide more surface area for contact.

What are rattling antlers?

Rattling antlers are one of the many sounds you can use to attract deer. They mimic the sounds of antlers clashing when two bucks are fighting over does or territory. This makes nearby bucks curious. They might want to see the outcome of the fight, or they might want to know what other males have moved into their area.

When should I use rattling antlers?

The optimal time for using rattling as a deer call is at the end of pre-rut and up to the peak breeding period of the rut in your area. Once a mature whitetail pairs with a hot doe, he will stay with her for several days and deer calls like rattling will be unlikely to draw him away.

How often should I rattle for deer?

every 20 to 30 minutes
Perhaps the biggest mistake hunters make is getting discouraged and giving up too soon. Again, no hard and fast rules, but a general guideline is to rattle every 20 to 30 minutes and more importantly, stick with it. It’s far more common to get a response the third or fourth time you rattle.

Do rattling horns work?

Rattling in bucks is one of the most productive calls for deer you can have in your arsenal during the rut. Deer calling with a set of antlers or a rattle bag to mimic the sound of two bucks in conflict can work throughout the course of a hunting season. Early in the season, bucks are less aggressive and more curious.

How far away can a buck hear you rattle?

The “Katie Clancy Rattling-Volume Test” revealed that rattling devices could, on average, be heard 512 yards downwind and 223 yards upwind; or 2.3 times farther downwind than upwind.

How often should you rattle horns?

Then if nothing’s happening, hit the horns. Perhaps the biggest mistake hunters make is getting discouraged and giving up too soon. Again, no hard and fast rules, but a general guideline is to rattle every 20 to 30 minutes and more importantly, stick with it.