Rattling in PNW bucks

[Blacktail_]

Anyone have any luck rattling in bucks in the PNW? I have heard late season may be a good time to try. Anyone with success stories please share!

 

[roosiebull]

It works, I have not done a lot of it, but the little bit I have done has been very interesting

I have rattled in a few that I didn’t want to shoot rifle season, and 2 in a short timeframe late bow season that my brother in law messed up

Last year I had a scenario that I really wanted some rattling antlers for but didn’t have any, so I improvised by thrashing brush and snort wheezing and called in a really nice buck to point blank range for my wife. That was one of my most memorable hunts, and it worked so perfectly

I pack antlers a lot but I also love glassing up deer, so I don’t use them much

I will start having them on me all the time starting next week

 

[Rogue Bay]

I’ve rattled in quite a few blacktails in Oregon. There have been days when I’ve had no response, then other days when I’ve rattled in multiple bucks. If you happen to hit one of those days it can be good.

 

[hibernation]

I rattled to one buck that had moved past us in the timber, he turned around and came in to about 25 yards. This was in mid-November. Blind rattling has never turned anything up for me, but I also haven't put much time into it.

 

[Alaska92]

I’ve rattled in quite a few blacktails in Oregon. There have been days when I’ve had no response, then other days when I’ve rattled in multiple bucks. If you happen to hit one of those days it can be good.

I’ve had the same experience.

 

[ReelTime99]

Newbie at rattling in bucks here, usually spot and stalk... is there a certain sequence you guys like? Start soft then ramp up? Raking brush throughout the sequence? Any other calls you mix in with the rattling? Generally, are you rattling in the timber or trying to get them to come out into the open?

Also how long will you usually give a spot before moving on?

 

[Rogue Bay]

I’m far from an expert so hopefully some better blacktail hunters chime in here but I usually start quiet and more or less tickle antler tips like two bucks just sizing each other up before a playful spar. I have no idea if it makes any difference or if it’s even realistic, but in my mind it makes sense. I’ve had some bucks come running at the first contact of the antlers that were clearly very close by already.

I’ll usually pause a for a while then up the intensity a little. I repeat this for a while, getting more serious each series.

Patience isn’t my strongest attribute so I probably don’t give my sets enough time. I’d guess 20 minutes or so at most. I always plan to give it a good 15 minutes after I rattle in case any stragglers are making their way in, but rarely make it that long. I killed one of my best blacktails after I’d given up and moved off stand. I started still hunting down the draw and he created the ridge heading to the tree I had rattled from.

I could be wrong but I feel like it doesn’t matter exactly how you rattle when it’s one of those right days. Like I said before, I typically have days of no response and then a day when I rattle in several bucks and it seems like I can do no wrong.

 

[shootnrun]

I rattled in my first buck yesterday. Forky in dark timber. I build a sequence like an elk cold call. Flip a can a few times, few minutes later a few grunts, then 3-5 or so 30-60 sec rattle sets. Min sit is 20 min.

 

[BRDHUNTER]

I’ve rattled OR blacktail bucks in at the end of October. If you hear a buck coming in and then he goes silent, just wait him out. They will stand still not making a noise for quite a while.

 

[sshhh]

I started rattling smart 4 years ago (2022). I have rattled in a total of 5 Bucks (that I know of) since then. Could be more and they seen me move or smelt me but i'll never know.

Earliest I have rattled one in was this October 30th, the rest have all been in the first week of Nov to the 15th. None earlier none later but like I said I may have got busted without knowing. I also don't start hunting Blacktails until about the last 5 days or so of October then all through November and up until seasons close on the 15th of December.

I've rattled in 2 big ones and 2 smaller ones and one I couldn't make out the 5th, all with the same aggressive sequence. I basically use scott haugens aggressive sequence and tweak/tailor it to my needs based on time of pre rut/peak/post and the area i'm in and what I think is best. I usually add doe bleats and grunts. You can find the sequence here:

https://scotthaugen.com/videos/blacktail-deer-hunting-tips/

I always start out tickling tines lightly. I've never gone straight to bashing them. I think the beating the ground and smashing sticks etc. Is what can really make em come in close simulates a real fight, I have rattled in one though doing nothing but smashing tine while in a stand. If I can't stay hidden in a really good set up in thick lower country where there is pinch points, I will kneel at the base of a tree if its big open timber and bring a bunch of sticks to crack, ive found that they dont circle to get wind like a lot of older bull elk do they just come straight in, that being said the ones whove winded me I wouldve had no idea they were there, I do believe though ones that have been rattled in and shot at probably never forget that and are wary/try to get scent. Keep your eyes on a swivel they truly are ghosts and can pop up anywhere from anywhere. Thing about calling game is they can pin point where the noise is coming from and are expecting to see an animal so smart set ups are essential.

Here is the bigger one I rattled in in 2022 and my arrow missed him by 2 inches, the other one is one I rattled in this year and got. Both on November 11th something to keep in mind. Good luck, it works less than it does, but when it does it sure does!