I've got a couple of sets of antlers I can use for rattling. One is a set of forks with tines about 6" long. They're nice and light. The other is a set of 6 points (3 per side) which are at least twice the mass of the forks. Is there any advantage over using lighter vs heavier (larger vs smaller) antlers? This is for north west Blacktails if it matters.
JW
the smaller the better to carry as far as I'm concerned.
I've never seen a small buck come in to a big set of antlers.(yet) I use a normal medium sized set, easy to carry and hopefully not too intimidating. I'm not looking for a numbers rack, just a buck.
But I'm no expert, I don't call all that often.
If they are Blacktail horns I'd go with the 3x3 set ... not that much weight and a bit more contact when put together.
use the loudest ones
I would take the larger myself. Either way, soak them in water overnight. Way better tone. Much more like the real thing. They will dry out over time once off the animal and I always felt it made them sound fake.
Joshua
.....the bigger ones will hurt more when you bang you fingers with'em......
The fake plastic ones work even if some don't think they sound real - proved it to myself this past week - rattled two bucks in the 1st time out . :thumbsup:
When they're hot, anything that sounds even remotely like antlers clashing will work. I once climbed a cedar tree, breaking small branches out of the way as I went, and before I got settled in on my chosen branch a nice 8 point was coming to my tree.
Where I hunt we use antlers to run the deer off