Rattling For Bulls

[Screaming Bulls]

Anyone ever tried rattling for bulls during the rut ? I have heard it works really well.

 

[trophyhill]

I've seen/heard elk fighting and when their antlers clash it is LOUD! I think rattling could work but I also think carrying around a set of elk antlers would be way more cumbersome than its worth and you'll expel more energy rattling in hopes one will come in. There are much easier tactics to kill elk without spending the amount of energy it would take to rattle one in. Just my .02

 

[mt100gr.]

I have heard of guys using deer antlers too. I think "noise" is they key. Last fall I called in a rutting bull when I was breaking branches from trees to make a fire. It was 230 in the afternoon and was as fired up as any of them. Any "rut excitement" sounds will get their attention. Then it becomes a personality issue for each individual bull. Some gotta check it out.

 

[Sierra stalker]

I think you can get the same results by rubbing a large branch on tree without having to carry around antlers. Its worked many times for me and buddies in the past.

 

[wapitibob]

I rattled in a bull the first time I tried it. Used a cheap HS rattle bag.
People would kill more bulls if they weren't enamored with bugling. I think raking is the best method for getting a bull to come in.

 

[orionthehunter1]

Breaking branches works well on certain bulls so does splashing a wallow with a stick before calling

 

[mt100gr.]

For sure. Sometimes we don't even call when we know we're close. Just noise will bring em. I have even heard dumping a water bottle into a wallow to simulate another bull adding his "aroma" to the areas water supply. Any "elk-ish" sound can work on the right critter. I have heard a lot of elk that sound less "elky" than me. We had a bull fired up last year that we were certain was yodeling. There was absolutely no inflection or rasp in his sound. Just like a slide whistle.

 

[ElkNut1]

Yes, rattling can be a very effective way to locate elk or bring them your way depending on their mood & aggressiveness! I've brought many bulls into rattling by going through various rattling sequences. When it comes to rattling it can take 1 minute or 30 minutes & can get very tiring! One thing to define here is rattling & raking are not the same to the elk so shouldn't be the same to us as hunters. Rattling denotes two bulls sparring or really mixing it up. It's common to see juveniles clicking antlers & pushing one another about without any real seriousness to it. However, during rut fest times or breeding times you can get two quality bulls clashing their antlers & really going at it supported by groans, moans, grunts, panting, teeth grinding, etc. The winner takes the ladies & the loser will move off, Imitating this sequence can really raise curiosity of other bulls in the area to come investigate this commotion or bugle out of excitement or to warn them to stay back, at any rate it gives away their location.

Raking on the other hand denotes one bull. Bulls rake trees, brush, the ground, etc. for many different reasons such as enticing cows to come their way in a displaying action showing new comers what they have to offer as a possible breeder bull when the time comes for breeding. This is commonly seen if you've cow called a bull your way, many times he will stop on his way to you & start raking for you as to impress this new lady! For those that have ran at a bugling/chuckling bull cow calling your way to him you will find many times once close enough he too will rake in a displaying action.

Bulls will also rake at wallows, waterholes, dry wallows, natural mineral licks, trails to & from feeding/bedding grounds as they feel their oats preparing for the oncoming rut & their testosterone levels rise. They rake as intimidation towards other bulls as well as for sizing one another up during closer quarters.

Younger juvenile bulls as well as a few mature bulls will Advertise themselves in different country as they travel looking for rutting elk, a form of this Advertising is to announce who they are to both bulls & cows in the area by raking, bugling, chuckling, pawing the ground, etc. There are other reasons for raking as well but these come to mind first! (grin) Most important, raking is one powerful sound that really draws on bulls within earshot, it draws on their curiosity as to who this guy is? Being herd animals they just gotta know who's behind the raking & why?

ElkNut1

 

[mt100gr.]

Good definitions, elknut. I would say, over the years, raking has helped close the deal more than anything. And by close the deal I mean bring a bull at least into view. They can't resist it if it's timed right and not done overly aggressive.