I've been seeing some smaller bucks on the move last few days here in MO. Scrapes are showing up all over too.
I'm thinkin it may be time to try a little RATTLIN and GRUNTIN!!
I have a ready-doe decoy that I've had good luck with too- I may bring her along this evening!
When does everyone else start being more aggressive with their huntin?
TIM B
I rattled one in last wed right after we had that rain. Other than that I have not had any more come in yet or seen any chasing or scrapes.
I think the time is NOW, been seein some bigger bucks well before dark.
rattled in a couple this week - i would say it is time to start.
Rattled in a nice 8 pt yesterday morning just before the sun got up all the way but couldn't get a shot so the time is NOW like Kenny said.
Rattled in a 120" 9-point tonight. He wouldn't come in to bleating or grunting, but when I hit the antlers together it got his attention and he ran all the does in the field rt to me and he followed standing 15 yds from me for the next 10 min or so. If only he'd been the 130's buck I'm after. He'll be a great buck next season.
I personally haven't had much luck using a doe decoy. I have a redi doe, but have a 120" set of antlers that I put on her to make it a him. Seems the doe spooks off other does im my experience. Where the buck usually just gets their curiosity and they keep their distance. Dominant bucks 99% of the time will circle it and come it to it's face....where younger bucks will just stay behind him. When they work...there's nothing cooler!!!!
I rattled in 2 bucks last weekend and 1 last night, 3 this morning. Nothing of any size but lots of fun anyway.
Witnessed a 5x5 and 4x4 fight it out for nearly an hour Friday night. They were making plenty of racket. I rattled in a curious doe on Saturday.
I usually start rattling seriously by last week of Oct.