Rattling Muleys

[IdahoElk]

Anyone ever personally try it? Let’s hear about it.

 

[jaybird76]

I'll bump this. Would be interested as well.

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[Jxferg7]

I’ve certainly seen mixed results on this...never had it work well in pressured public land.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

Never had it work for me.

 

[huntngolf]

I’ve had young muleys come in when trying to rattle for whitetails but never a mature one. Don’t think they were looking to fight but more curious as to the noise. There’s a reason you don’t see many muleys with broken points, they just don’t battle much

 

[Bubblehide]

I have done it here in Ca successfully. However, our seasons here generally end just prior to the full on rut, with the exception of a few zones/seasons. In short, I have brought in immature/young, but legal bucks. I think they are just much more curious. During the full on rut, of the mature bucks that I could observe from my rattling position, they moved their girls away. To me it makes sense, as it is easier to keep the girls you have by avoiding confrontation. It also uses much less energy to simply move away, than it does to fight.

During the times, of pre-rut, as in not the full on rut, when the mature bucks have not rounded up their girls yet, but young immature bucks are following does, the mature bucks appear to recognize that rattling is out of place. Of the very very few mature bucks that have been curious, it appears to be just that, curiosity with a heap of caution, and giving the slip before coming in close.

 

[Bubblehide]

There was a Whitetail study decades back that concluded competition spured competition. In other words, the higher the buck to doe ratio was, the more competitive the bucks were in breading, and fighting for breading. Here in Ca, those buck to doe numbers are dismal. The study did not conclude that this behavior or the study conclusions transfer to Mule deer. However, from my experience over the years, it appears to. So I presume that rattling would only be effective on mature bucks when competition for does is high to very high, as in the study group/area was.

The saying curiosity killed the cat seems to ring true for young immature bucks though.

 

[Moserkr]

I have done it here in Ca successfully. However, our seasons here generally end just prior to the full on rut, with the exception of a few zones/seasons. In short, I have brought in immature/young, but legal bucks. I think they are just much more curious. During the full on rut, of the mature bucks that I could observe from my rattling position, they moved their girls away. To me it makes sense, as it is easier to keep the girls you have by avoiding confrontation. It also uses much less energy to simply move away, than it does to fight.

During the times, of pre-rut, as in not the full on rut, when the mature bucks have not rounded up their girls yet, but young immature bucks are following does, the mature bucks appear to recognize that rattling is out of place. Of the very very few mature bucks that have been curious, it appears to be just that, curiosity with a heap of caution, and giving the slip before coming in close.

Always wondered about trying it here but never have since we miss the rut. I have seen tracks in the granite sands where a few bucks sparred, but thats it. Only ever found a few rubs too as opposed to MT where i found hundreds. Interesting observations you’ve had. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Bubblehide]

Always wondered about trying it here but never have since we miss the rut. I have seen tracks in the granite sands where a few bucks sparred, but thats it. Only ever found a few rubs too as opposed to MT where i found hundreds. Interesting observations you’ve had. Thanks for the insight.

I find rubs pretty regularly, and usually small scrapes near the rubs. But in general, both are small and pretty easy to miss. I posted some on another site a few years back. However, I never find rubs or scrapes in any quantity. I covery a lot of country to just find one.

 

[Moserkr]

I find rubs pretty regularly, and usually small scrapes near the rubs. But in general, both are small and pretty easy to miss. I posted some on another site a few years back. However, I never find rubs or scrapes in any quantity. I covery a lot of country to just find one.

Sounds about right. When I get into a spot I know holds bucks, thats when I find them. I wonder if they dont mark territory as much due to being less aggressive than areas with better ratios of deer.

Havent been exploring much new territory lately. I have been learning my hot spots inside n out, trying to pattern the big boys i see during the summer. They definitely like to disappear during rifle, and sometimes Im lucky to see em in archery.

 

[SteepandDeep]

I’ve had young muleys come in when trying to rattle for whitetails but never a mature one. Don’t think they were looking to fight but more curious as to the noise. There’s a reason you don’t see many muleys with broken points, they just don’t battle much

Same here; rattling and calling

 

[Bearlodge10]

I agree with statements already mentioned pertaining to having young bucks come in inquisitively. In public areas, rattling for mule deer just doesn't seem to work like it does for Whitetails. However, I will say that I have seen it work on private ranchland, where there is a high buck to doe ratio and the rut is at its peak. In those cases, the mature bucks come in alert but not postured like I have seen whitetails come in. I have also seen way more aggression from mule deer to bucks that have been injured or shot and down whereas Whitetails will fight a well bodied buck like a drunk guy at the bar who thinks some other guy is making a play at his girl.

 

[cali_hornhunter]

I’ve had good success with rattling! Ive killed a buck rattling And also have blown opportunities with it too... it can work just gotta be able to decipher buck behavior and it can be awesome!

 

[Bigbenhunter98]

Never tried it, but was thinking about it last weekend when I had a big buck chasing a doe down the mountain from me.

 

[Islandeer]

I have grunted in a big mature buck that came in like a heavyweight champ, lots of swagger, thrashing trees etc.
He was impressive, and was looking for the intruder. He was a clean 3 pt so walked away after huffing at me at 40 yds.
Something to try but not over do, it’s a very subtle sound.

 

[Dos Perros]

Only tried it once, and it worked.