Rattling for Elk

[AKBowman]

I read about this in a hunting article a few years ago and there were a handfull guys out there that got great results by rattling in bulls.

Anyone on this site ever try it or know anyone who has?

[boonerboy]

If a bull hangs up and isnt comitting alot of times they will commit after beating the brush and scraping a couple logs together. Its worked for me many times. 

[AKBowman]

Oh yeah the ol' beatin the brush trick does work well. I was talking more specifically about either using rattling horns or an Elk rattle bag and simulating two bulls fighting.

[deerslyr]

Man it would be hard to simulate 2 bulls fighting. They make a racket when fighting!

[ridgefire]

exactly what deerslyr says 

[Elknut1]

Yes, rattling bulls can be an effective manor to draw on a bulls curiosity! Depending on the situation at hand you are more likely to draw satellites in first over a herd bull, but if within earshot of a herd the bull, he will generally sound off with displeasure at two bulls sparring or fighting it out so close by to him & his harem! This at minimum gives away his location!

  Rattling shouldn't be confused with raking a tree or brush, this is a totally different method as well as for different reasons. Rattling is simulating two bulls in the area either sparring or competing for cows. Raking, foot stomping & tossing things signifies a single bull, he may be doing this because he's feeling his oats with the oncoming rut in mind or challenging/intimidating another bull, too they will perform this method when attracting cows their way, all depends on the situation! Thing is, they are different & should be viewed this way for the right application at the right time!

  ElkNut1

[NWBREW]

I would hate to carry around those rattling antlers all day.  just sayin.

[huntnnw]

I carried 2 small 4pt sheds with my dad one year on my pack..I was tagged out so weight was no different than carrying my bow all day. I rattled and called a 5 pt bull to my dad that day.

[TheHunt]

I think you hit the nail on the head.  Carrying those antlers would be a pain.  I have seen it when I was in Arizona and a guide had the bottom half of two sheds.  He said the bottom half provides a better sound then the top and they carried better on his pack.  He also had grips on them so he could bang the crap out of them. 

It does make sense to me to do it if you have the resources to pack them.  Thinking out of the box is always good in my opinion as others have come up with that idea but it soon fads away because of the entire weight and getting cought up on all of the trash.   

[Elknut1]

Here's real bulls rattling/sparring/fighting! You can imitate this with muley racks easily! In most cases I do use a rather heavy forked horn muley set. I also have a forked horn bull rack that works well too! I've brought in a few bulls over the years with these.

  ElkNut1

[Broken Arrow]

I used this product a few years back http://rattlecage.com/rattlecage.php. Work suprising well. The bulls really got fired up and would hang around for some time. I used with agressive calling, rubbing small trees, etc. We hunt in teams and almost got my buddy 2 shot oportunities with this...but you know how hunting goes. I was looking for it last year, but couldnt find it in my gear box. The only negative thing i can say about it is that is large and bulky, not the best item when you trying to hunt from spike camps. The sounds were good though.

[coachcw]

Ive always just used a stick , and even have turned and ran away from  a bull then turn back and rake a tree , this sometimes will draw a bull in thats hung up.