Rattling

[BHC]

Rattling is something I've started doing more and more over the last few yrs... I have been lugging around a nice heavy set of sheds. Bit they are kind of a pain, they're bulky, and I work about them making unwanted noise. Wanted you guys opinions: real antlers, rattle bags, or these newer pack a rack things that are out..

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[JoeRE]

I can't bring myself to use anything but real antlers, I just don't trust that anything else sounds exactly the same. I also use a new set of rattling antlers (sheds) every couple years because I think really old dried out ones don't sound the same either. I don't have any proof of that its just what I am comfortable with. I sometimes cut the tips off tines to make them a little more compact.

[Tapeworm]

I can't bring myself to use anything but real antlers, I just don't trust that anything else sounds exactly the same. I also use a new set of rattling antlers (sheds) every couple years because I think really old dried out ones don't sound the same either. I don't have any proof of that its just what I am comfortable with. I sometimes cut the tips off tines to make them a little more compact.

I've heard of guys wiping or soaking them with linseed oil. They say it keeps the antlers from drying out. Supposedly helps to maintain the natural sound.

[ Post made via Android ]

[hunter10]

I use a rattle bag with wooden sticks. Used to have one with plastic sticks and it didnt sound realistic

[stash59]

I can't bring myself to use anything but real antlers, I just don't trust that anything else sounds exactly the same. I also use a new set of rattling antlers (sheds) every couple years because I think really old dried out ones don't sound the same either. I don't have any proof of that its just what I am comfortable with. I sometimes cut the tips off tines to make them a little more compact.

I've heard of guys wiping or soaking them with linseed oil. They say it keeps the antlers from drying out. Supposedly helps to maintain the natural sound.

[ Post made via Android ]

If you keep them someplace with a little more humidity during the off season and soak them in a bucket of water just before pre-rut time they last for years. I've used fakes and had good results.

Just like people sound different because of mouth neck and nose shapes so do antlers. Antlers grown during years with good moisture are generaly denser and sound louder than those grown in dry years which aren't as dense.

The biggest thing is don't use antlers that sound "to big" for the area your hunting. If there aren't any massive 150" bucks in your area. But only thin !30" max. use the appropriate size.

[Horizontal Hunter]

I use a rattle bag with wooden sticks. Used to have one with plastic sticks and it didnt sound realistic

Same here. I don't rattle much on public land as it doesn't take very long before the bucks wise up. In general I hunt quiet and without the use of scents.

Bob

[ Post made via iPad ]

[BHC]

I thought about making a rattle bag out of spike sheds I have found...

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ERICBROOKS]

Nothing sound as good as a set of sheds. But they are a pain to carry/pack.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Bonecrusher101]

Im skeptical about rattling in my area, I'm getting farther and farther away from rattling.
I've called in a buck early November by using a soft buck grunt then immediately changing to a doe bleat. Had a 2.5 yr old six point come charging.
What I do when I decide to try rattling, is I carry two same size smaller 8 point antlers both are right sides and they fit together nicely. They both had brow tines removed also. Then use a small bungee to hold them tight together. They fit in a fanny pack fine.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Bigb]

I mainly only use real enters. I have a set of 140" that are pretty heavy but when I rattle, I want the noise.

I did pick up a set of the "Black Rack" antlers on sale to have as a back up set and honestly, they sound pretty good, surprisingly good and they fit together pretty well. If I was to recommend any set of non-natural antlers it would be these.

[purebowhunting]

I've had good luck with the pack racks, my buddy is more into calling than I and I saw his success and picked up the pack rack magnum. We hunt together some and we've called in at least a dozen bucks in the past few years, even the buck he shot last season. But I've yet to call a 4+ yo in, so it's used sparingly on private.

[ Post made via Android ]

[mheichelbech]

Was hunting with a buddy one time. Had him listen to me using real antlers, pack rack and fake antlers. He said the real ones sounded most realistic and you could tell a difference however I can see the argument that every buck sounds different. I don't rattle that much as I've never gotten a big one to come in. Don't think the numbers are there in my areas.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[BHC]

I think it's a timing thing. Gotta catch the right buck in the right frame of mind with in a couple hundred yrds. I'm yet to have one blow at me doin it. We've rattled in several on our property the last few yrs. I got the black rack as a gift. However I noticed they produce an odor when u hit them together so I never have used them.. I dunno what they are made of.. What brand pack a rack do you use?

[ Post made via iPhone ]