Calling?

[Atroxus]

I bought a flextone "All n one deer call" awhile back. They have a video demonstrating how to make the different sounds online, so I have been practicing. I can duplicate most of the sounds on the video now, but I have no idea what calls to use when. According to Flextone the call will make "social grunts" "tending grunts", "doe estrus bleats" and "fawn bleats". It also has a volume control that is supposed to make it sound like either a fawn, a doe, a young buck, or a mature buck. Anyone have any pointers on which calls to use in what circumstances? The area I plan to hunt is 2pt min, so I can't harvest a doe, or spike buck, and I am not setting out to tag a trophy buck. Last year was my first year hunting but I was unsuccessful. I just want to get my first kill, and some meat in the freezer. Should I use social grunts, tending grunts, or doe estrus bleats? Or use multiple, like social grunts till I get a response from a deer and switch to something else to lure it in closer? Or some other combination? Also how do I know whether I want to sound like a mature buck, or a young buck?

[Atroxus]

56 views so far, but no replies. Does nobody on here use deer calls or something?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Personally I don't call in the blind. I prefer to see the bucks reaction to a call.

[coyotehunter]

Calling works... sometimes.  I don't mean to be cryptic but this is what I know. I've called in a lot of different critters, including deer and it works when they think you are what you're imitating. Another words, if you're rattling in september when bucks aren't fighting over does, then that sounds out of place. Probably not going to attract many bucks. Same goes for any of the other vocalization, use it when they expect to hear it and you'll get a positive response. Case in point, if you see a small buck and you give him a adult buck grunt, it'll probably frighten away, he doesn't want to get into a fight with a bigger buck, but if you gave him a seductive doe call or fawn call, he'll probably get curious enough to see what up. There are volumes of information that could be written but the best thing I can tell you is go out there and do it and see what happen. One last thing, less is more. Don't over call, my 2 cents.

[RadSav]

Never had much luck calling bucks until the rut.  Early in the season all I ever called in were does and adolescent bucks.  They would come in to just about anything even rodent reed varmit calls.  Once the rut kicks in I've had luck with all but fawn distress calls.

All my calling experience has been with whitetails and blacktails.  I wouldn't have the foggiest idea about calling mule deer.

I think I saw a Primos video at Whoesale Sports on using deer calls.  Their "Mastering The Art" material is usually top notch.

[PolarBear]

The only time I call is when I am rattling, otherwise I prefer to be as quiet as possible.