About what time of rut to rattle? I am not an expert but I can tell you it works! I rattled in a small fork horn 4pt. buck last night here in Missouri.. He came sneaking in looking for the fight. He appeared 10 minutes after my third session and walked to within 8 steps of the "fight" noises.. I was amazed he was able to zero in on the sounds.. I let him walk because we can only kill one buck before gun season in Missouri and I want to hunt next week.. I only hope this doesn't turn out to be an empty freezer mistake.. GREAT watching him though.. Good luck to all...