Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: ruttnbuck on October 29, 2008, 08:49:40 PM

Title: rattling for blacktails
Post by: ruttnbuck on October 29, 2008, 08:49:40 PM: I've never tried it, but I was just wondering if anybody has had any luck rattling for blacktails in archery late season in a tree stand and if there is anything I should try for better success . :twocents:
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: alchemyforge on October 30, 2008, 09:49:26 AM: I can't remember exactly where I read it but the author of the article was talking about a guy who moved out west from the east coast and had been a pretty successful whitetail hunter. When he got out here, he called and rattled for blacktails just like they were whitetails. The author was dumbfounded when this guy routinely had success. The east coaster looked at it like a deer's a deer so no need to treat them any different.

I figure it can't hurt any. I'm gonna pull out all the stops- calls, rattle bag and scent while on a trail... and if that doesn't work I'm going to try baiting them with peanut butter. I'm NOT eating tag sandwich :chuckle:
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: LongTatLaw on October 30, 2008, 09:53:10 AM: well...im no 30 year wa hunting expert but from what ive seen in my one year hunting bt's instead of whitetails.... ill be taking my calls and rattle bag every time
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: bow4elk on October 30, 2008, 10:15:57 AM: YES!!!

I've rattled in several nice bucks (no harvests :bash:) but rest assured, they respond WELL to rattling. Doe bleats and grunts too. I like to hunt out of treestands so I tie my rattling antlers to my bow pull-up rope, lower them back down, and "jig" for bucks that way. Keeps the sound on the ground where it belongs and you can thrash brush and thump the ground which sounds more realistic than crisp rattling from 18 feet in a tree. Give it a try, and you better hurry!

As for calling sequence, I always give the area about 20-30 minutes to settle down after getting all settled in my stand. Then I do a few soft grunts and a doe bleat. Wait about 10-15 minutes and do a few more louder grunts followed by a couple bleats...wait again. You want to create the scenario of a buck tending and a ripe doe, which attracts another buck. They square off and start sparring for breeding rights. So with you calling, you have to build up to this event. if it is windy or raining (or both :drool:) you will need to call louder. find a grunt call that you can get busy with without sounding like a lame duck call.

Good luck!!
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: bullcanyon on October 30, 2008, 07:41:02 PM: I rattled one in for a buddy two years ago. Nice heavy 3-point. Came in on a dead run. The buck he shot this year was grunting chasing a doe. We've rattled in several bucks the last few years. Only shot the one that was rattled though. Don't expect it to work every time though. Seems to work best in "core" areas with lots of deer around.
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: fc2038 on October 30, 2008, 08:16:51 PM: Alright I am going to have to try this. I have thought about it but never put it to use.
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: alchemyforge on October 31, 2008, 04:46:04 PM: That's a good tip- I've heard that the tag-team with the second caller works really well.

Is Nov 19th ever going to get here? I gotta try some of this stuff! :D
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: SW Blacktail on October 31, 2008, 04:56:07 PM: I know man!! I've had a deer circus in my back field starting Oct. 24
It's killing me to sit on the sidelines and watch. :)
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: 1bowhunter1 on October 31, 2008, 05:20:38 PM: Hate to be the bairer of bad news!! But the dear get a copy of the reg. book also!! LOL!! I know what you mean about the wait! Its the longest time ever. First rain today my butt was out in the back 40 almost before day light.....i'm a addict!! It smelled awsome and felt even better to just be out there getting my new boots wet!!..LOL!! Cant wait
Title: Re: rattling for blacktails
Post by: ruttnbuck on November 01, 2008, 08:19:20 AM: thanks guys for the great tips, like I said i've never tried it but I'm chompin at the bit too get out there and try it . The area I'm hunting I know has some big bruisers I just hope the bucks are still in the ruttin mode come nov19. Also i'm new too the site and have realized this is the next best thing to actually being out hunting the more I see all the big blacktails that have been taken the more I want too be out there though. :chuckle: thanks again and good luck In the late season