Question about pair of antlers for rattling.

[Bogie85]

Hey all,

This is my second year hunting, I have been doing more and more research, using cameras etc. I know the rut is coming up, and I know antlers are a better option vs synthetic. I have been out in the woods looking for antlers while also hunting. My question is, is there a way to get a pair of antlers other than stumbling on them in the woods?

Anyone have some extras they want to sell? Or know of a place to get some? Also good luck out there everyone!

Thanks!

[fishnfur]

Google - There's an outfit out of Montana that I did a couple of orders from that has reasonable prices for mixed sets of WT bones.  I got mine for about 15 bucks for a smaller 3 point matched set, then got a box of mixed bones for training my dog for something like $22.  Search for "deer antler sheds for sale".  This place also sells elk sheds and hides/skins.  A lot of people use the antlers for dog chews or making home decor items.  If you intend to use sheds, I've seen recommendations to soak them in water for a few days prior to use in order to hydrate them to levels closer to those carried by living bucks, and which presumably creates more realistic sound.  It is also recommended to cut off the sharp tips so they are less dangerous in case of a fall or missed clash when held in hands. 

Personally, I think plastic sporting goods store rattle bags, rattling antlers, and other rattling devices are just as good as the naturals if you're after any buck.  I think if you try to recreate what two bucks actually sound like when they go at it, then you're in good shape.  If you're after a trophy, then something with more mass that can generate a lot of noise, especially in the lower ranges of the sonic spectrum  may grab the attention of the biggest bucks more than the noise made by smaller plastics. 

[fishnfur]

this is the place:

https://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/2394.html   

BTW -  the other good recommendation I followed was to paint the sheds orange so that you cannot be mistaken for a buck when walking through the woods with these poking our of your backpack.  Better safe than sorry (dead).

[Bogie85]

Heck yeah! Thanks for the response! I am going to look into these today. The orange paint or fabric is what I have heard as well. I will have to look more into the soaking them but it does make sense.

Good luck out there, hopefully you tag out .

[7mmfan]

Soaking them makes a big difference in sound. Another thing to consider is what Fishnfur said. Try to recreate what an actual buck fight sounds like. They don't just stand there banging their antlers together. They stomp and grunt and break branches and stuff. If you watch youtube videos of bucks fighting, there is really very little "antler" noise. Now if it's pre-rut, and bucks are sparring, that's different. Light to moderate clattering of antlers with breaks in between and less situational noise like stomping and brush breaking.

[fishnfur]

   Exactly.  It often tends to be a pushing match, so the antlers grind more than rattle around, though there is often quite a bit of clatter as they twist their heads back and forth.  It may depend on "when" they are in the rut as to how the battle goes down.  Many hunters recommend starting with light tickling of the antlers for a set or two, trying to re-create the sound of two bucks feeling each other out a bit.  Multiple sets of rattling simulates the way bucks may disengage then come back a few minutes later and go at it again.  This vid is a good example of the way you might want to work your rattling sessions:

One more, displaying how the pushing/shoving doesn't really create as much rattling sound, but the tussle in the forest undergrowth (or in this case, lawn), stomping feet, along with the grinding bones could be pretty noisy.  During the last days of October and during the late season, if you're going to rattle, you shouldn't be afraid to make some serious noise once you're well into your rattle sessions.   (I'm not saying this information is correct, but..... it could be?  )

[Bogie85]

This is fantastic info! I have some homework to do. Thank you all for the help. Hoping I get one this season .  Blacktail have been elusive as heck, but I am determined.

[fishnfur]

Good luck man.  Remember, you can't make it happen, you just want to be there when it happens.  Stay in the woods and stay positive.  When you find yourself loosing focus or getting down about seeing nothing, just sit down and take a break in a spot where you can see a ways.  Stay hidden/still, listen and watch.  Proceed when you're feeling positive again, or maybe try rattling a bit.  There's a lot of deer bedded inside the the first 50 yards or so of all those five-year-old clearcuts.  The less you move, the fewer you scare away, but above all else, keep the wind in your face.

[Tree Killer]

I've been rattling blacktails seriously since 1985 and have rattled in 100's of bucks over the years. Started out with a small 4pt set and had limited success getting responses. Over the years I've "upgraded" to larger antlers, and have used this particular set of rattlers for about 15 years. NO, they're not a matched set, but they mesh well and the sounds carries much further than other sets of antlers I've tried. My current rattlers were fading the original color, so I painted them several years ago.





I used to start off with tickling or light rattling and increase the intensity, then mix in ground stomping and brush breaking noises. But the bucks are keyed in on the antlers and it doesn't make any difference if the "other noises" are added.  I've witnessed bucks respond from quite a distance. As soon as they hear the rattling, they some running, but will stop in their tracks if you stop rattling. They usually stand and listen/watch the direction the rattling came from, then start walking that direction again.  They close the gap and as soon as you begin another rattling sequence they charge in on the run.  I've been caught banging bones dozens of times...it happens.

Here's a photo from last November.  The guy in the camo cap had a special controlled late buck tag.  During the second rattling sequence this buck came charging around some thick little firs and would have run over these guys if I hadn't stopped rattling. The buck stopped at 10-12 yards from the hunter and saw them when he finally moved his head and saw the buck at spittin distance.  They hadn't heard the buck approaching due to me rattling antlers 20 yards behind them.  The buck got a pass!



I used to rattle for several minutes, wait five minutes, rattle for a minute, wait five minutes....and stay in one location up to 30 minutes.  I've shortened up my rattling time to about 45 seconds, wait 4-5 minutes, rattle 25-30 seconds, wait...etc.  I hit the antlers hard and sound like two bucks really duking it out.  Having heard several buck fights during the rut, they are loud and noisy, don't be afraid to make a lot of noise with the rattlers. 

I've killed my share of bucks over years while rattling, but nowadays it's mostly for fun and photography.  The best advice I've passed on to people wanting to know about rattling blacktails is ....PATIENCE and CONFIDENCE!  Have patience when rattling, it doesn't always bring a buck in.  I've gone days without a response, but remain confident and eventually a buck will come walking or running right into your lap. 

Please use caution if you're going to rattle during a rifle season...wear your hunter orange!

Here's a few photos of rattled in bucks....











The end...

[7mmfan]

I've been waiting for you to chime in. Thanks for the addition tree killer. Amazing photos by the way. Just don't get to see many quality photos of big blacktails.