I have been watching a buck in a beanfield bordering the woods that I hunt. I need him to enter the woods I hunt for a shot (I can't hunt the field).
Do you think tickling some antlers might get him out of the beans and into the woods with me in early October?
Any suggestions of how to lure him to me in the evening, are very welcome!
I think he is a 4 or 5 year old buck.
For sure it should be worth a try. No chance no dance.
A few years ago I had a Woods Wise Breeding Bellow call. I wasn't seeing any deer on opening day and was about to get down and go home for lunch and I pulled it out of the pack and hit it. 2 small bucks came running in within minutes of each other with their heads up looking for what made that sound. The only problem with that call was it was cheaply made and fell apart in the pack but the one time I used it it worked and it was early season. I wouldn't be afraid to try one again but it has to be handled with care.
I live in the southern part of VA. Last season, the first week of bow season (1st full week of oct.) I watched two BIG bucks fight for 25 minutes. I killed one those bucks 15 pts and very heavy. The other was also killed by a buddy of mine 1st week in nov. What Im getting at is I don't think it would hurt. I usually will rattle 1st two weeks of nov. just my 2 cents good luck!
Thanks for your thoughts guys!
Past few weeks the bucks have been setting up the pecking order on my front lawn around midnight. The sparring has me up and looking out the window.
I learned quite a bit by watching and listening to exactly how they hook up, shove each other around. It's not as intense like during the pre rut or rut but we have had some success using smaller antlers and tickling them together, especially during the evening sits.
Today while my little brother had a buck and doe beneath his stand. His buddy tickled antlers 50 yards away to see what would happen. Both deer took off in the opposite direction.
I don't think it would hurt. I read a book recently about a guy who has good success with rattling at bucks he sees but are too far away all through the season.
I rattle and grunt all season long. Just don't get to aggressive this early unless you can see how he is responding. Just try to set up where the deer are going to have to come and look. ( Thicket or hollow something of that nature in behind you and watch the wind )
Thanks guys!
You could also try a doe or young buck bleat call. When the deer looks your way, twitch a white rag where he can see it. It will look like another deer flicking his tail. He may come to check it out. Or use the rag with "light" tickling of the antlers. It should confirm what he heard by seeing your "tail".