Rattling

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:14 am

I've had a deer head in the freezer for two years and think maybe I should do something with it pretty soon

.........I think I'll cut off the two so-so 2PT tines and rattle with them.........Someone tell me if there is one way or the other that works better. I have "The Can Doe Bleater", which I've had luck with. I would think that the combo of the two of them might be better....or not?

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:27 am

[I've had a deer head in the freezer for two years ]

And your wife is where ?

My son popped a red fox, encased in a black plastic garbage bag, & stored it in our freezer for a few weeks until his taxidermist was ready for it.

My wife couldn't bring herself to even open the freezer door, until it was gone - She loves having venison & bear meat, but she said the idea of the entire fox in there just creeped her out.

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:30 am

After two times, I've decided to do the Ladies of the World a favor and remain single and give them all a chance at happiness for a little while.

My sister was here last summer for Daughter's wedding and really lost it when she saw Bambi in there

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:41 am

Gosh, my mom did taxidermy work for years. You should have seen our freezer.

Rusty <><

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:49 am

it works pretty good when they are in the rut tubby.a little bit goes along way.
pete

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:03 am

The quality of the rattles are directly proportional to the size of the antlers being rattled. Using a small rack to make rattles will not result in a quality set of rattles. For rattling in big bucks, you need good size mass of antler to carry tonal quality and depth. IMHO

mike

lever-4-life · Post by **lever-4-life** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:06 am

My uncle kept his beloved cat in the game frezer for 9 years, I had forgoten about the story untill you mentioned the fox.

Pisgah · Post by **Pisgah** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:40 am

Somewhat larger antlers will probably work better -- not a trophy rack, just something with a bit more mass.

In my experience, rattling is a two-edged sword. I've seen bucks rush in, ready for action. I've also seen them take off like a scalded dog at the sound of the first "tick" of the antlers, apparently headed for the next county.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:08 pm

I saw a video where a guy tried calling a buck with antlers and not much luck. Then he tried some metal substitute which had a crisper click and the buck came right on in.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:45 pm

Just run your chainsaw for a few minutes, or shake your head real hard like a puppy with a sock..,

;)

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:04 pm

Grizz wrote:Just run your chainsaw for a few minutes, or shake your head real hard like a puppy with a sock..,

Not bad, Grizz......Not a fast answer not a slow answer....just a half fast answer

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:43 pm

Blaine,
With our seasons being so early here in the NW, rattling doesn't work too well until mid to late November, when they're in the rut.
The doe or fawn call has worked well for me to get them stopped for a shot.

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:54 pm

marlinman93 wrote:Blaine,
With our seasons being so early here in the NW, rattling doesn't work too well until mid to late November, when they're in the rut.
The doe or fawn call has worked well for me to get them stopped for a shot.

I've never rattled.....I did think, tho, that regardless of season, a buck didn't want another around if he was banging around on stuff....

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:54 pm

I never had luck rattleing. Tried real antlers, fake antlers & them sticks in a bag things. I'v heard it works well pre rut as thats when theyre figureing out who's head dog. Once the rut sets in bucks are too busy chaseing does to fight much. It can still work they say because a lonely buck will want to see who alls fighting or whats going on.

I tend to try & be quiet now except to grunt or use my can call.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:44 pm

It often scares off potential bucks, rather than calling them in. Maybe the most aggressive bucks will want to come in because they think they'll steal a doe while the fight is going on, but usually they steer clear of the frakus.
I am a big advocate of scents, and also scent blockers. I regularly use a drag string with "doe in heat" on a small rag, and spray my clothes with scent blocker to mask human odor. I've had bucks and does follow right behind me.

9422 · Post by **9422** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:10 pm

I agree about it being a 2 edged sword, however it does work well at times.

Start out slow and quite give it a break every once in a while. seems like it worked best pre rut or right at the beginning of it.

Watch out for your hands. We used to use a decent lil 4 point for rattling, but the tips would end up hitting your hands. Never felt it untill you were done rattling and looked at them an saw the blood.

Rattling has never worked for me except on the deer in my yard. However My uncle rattled in a big 4x4 blacktail right at the beginning of the rut. He came in ready to fight, and from the looks of him thats all that deer did. Lots of scars and the tip of every single horn was busted off.