I'm looking for something I can use come time for the rut to rattle in large whitetails. If anyone has information on what, where I can buy one, and how much I would be eternally grateful.Thanks RP
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Well, I've tried those cloth bags that come with the plastic sticks and the ones that come with the wooden sticks inside and I have only rattled in small bucks with those. They just don't seem to make the right tone. I finally started using a pair of sheds and they work great. They are certainly bulkier to carry, but worth it in my book. If you don't have any spares laying around, the auction site has plenty.
Nothing better than sheds. I recommend you cut off the brow tines to save your fingers! I have also had luck with bags, but you need large diameter wood dowels for deeper tones. I don't like the plastic sticks.
Read Mitten's article in TBM. I'll be trying it for sure.
I had one of the little bags......real easy to carry around, but they guys are right, the tones were not the same. Until..........
I took out the plastic sticks, and replaced them with hardwood dowels and some long pieces of broken ceramic tile.........
Now it sounds great! Try it.
I too am a big fan of sheds.
I made my own rattle bag also with larger wooden dowels. I used a large green sock for the bag.
I like a rattle bag. Fits in my pack or quiver. You can get one from Primos for under $20.00. That is the going rate for just about any that I have seen.
QuoteOriginally posted by 2ndxarnd:
I'm looking for something I can use come time for the rut to rattle in large whitetails. If anyone has information on what, where I can buy one, and how much I would be eternally grateful.Thanks RP
You might wander this web sight. I have great respect for their product line.
E.L.K. - rattlers, calls, etc. (http://www.elkinc.com/default.aspx)
Hope this helps.
There is a company that makes synthetic rattling horns that have good mass. I have used them for several years and have rattled in some pretty nice bucks. There sound is quite good and they take a lot of abuse. They have as good a sound as most natural antlers and are easily replaceable if broken. My daughters gave them to me for a Christmas present several years ago so I am sorry I don't know the cost.
I use a Knight and Hale rattling bag with plastic sticks inside and it works great. I've called several bucks in on the public land me and my Dad like to hunt, and I'm no expert on calling. lol
I actually called in my 8 point with it last season.
Real antlers are the best in MHO. Why mess with mother nature? I thought it would have been cool to put a notch in my antlers for every buck I rattled in. Fortunately I didn't do this because I would have no antlers left. Why not use real ones? I too will be trying Mitten's method in certain situations. Good luck.
I like the real sheds but I just pray I don't fall on them someday, plus they are a pain in the butt to carry and always banging on everything. I have had the best luck with them though. We called in some deer with the little bags. I don't know sometimes the rattling is unbelievable and the next time I am just sitting there wondering whats going on. It just makes me wonder if it is the tone or maybe the big sheds noise carry farther or maybe the deer are just not in earshot that day or what. But I will prolly keep carrying my sheds in because it has worked awesome in the past. To me that is the most exciting time the start of November right after I just rattled, Man I can't wait.
Sorry I guess that was not what you where looking for. I have rattled the big bags With I would assume where wooden dowels cut up, in the sporting good store and thought man that should work just fine.
I tried the manufactured bags, but didn't like the sound. I made my own from pieces of antler left from making knife handles. Some thick main beam pieces, and some smaller diameter tines. I like the sound much better. Just put them in a sock. Easy to carry.
I use a set i got from a taxidermist. He had a bunch layin around that were never claimed over the years. Could'nt imagine at least not gettin the horns if i decided i could'nt afford a mount!
The initial question was for artificial rattling, but also included bring in "large bucks." The ground rattling technique while in a treestand, allows for reduced movement. A lot of times the bigger bucks will lay back and watch for a while before coming in. Rustling of leaves helps trigger that aggressive "rut crazed" mode that it always seams to take to bring in the big guys. Whether we're talking about deer, elk, moose or antelope, there always seems to be that little thing that can make them snap! Also, if you use the "Puppet Fight" technique, please haul your antlers up or at least swing them out away from the base of there tree BEFORE climbing down. Sharp objects would not be good to land on in the event of a fall. Thanks, Mike