Who uses them? Let's see some photos and the story behind them.
The spike I shot a few weeks ago was rattled in with a pair of borrowed antlers. Last night a friend of my Papa's called and said a big buck that had been hit by a car died in his front yard just a few moments earlier. So, naturally he went and picked it up as another friend of his had been wanting some venison for the freezer. My Papa gave me these since I had been using his!
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a516/victoryhunter/1450257_10151892875425808_733932077_n_zpsd3272e29.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/victoryhunter/media/1450257_10151892875425808_733932077_n_zpsd3272e29.jpg.html)
Its working in Central Texas right now.
I bet! It's my favorite and I think the most effective method of calling.
I haven't had a lot of success rattling in years past, but this year I rattled up a bunch of bucks, although I didn't take any shots. One of the most fun ways to hunt when it is working.
Ive used them but never did any good
I think (IMO) the deer have to be close and in the mood to respond.
Ive seen it work, just not for me
I've rattled in a lot of bucks over the yrs, but I've killed more with a grunt or a snort wheeze. I like real horns, but just too bulky to pack so I use the pack rack.
It will not pull a buck in pursuit of a hot doe though. They totally ingnore it.
I did, however, rattle a herd of 10 does a couple hundred yards over near me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/129_zps34c71957.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/129_zps34c71957.jpg.html)
I tried tying this four together with a rope attached and hanging over a tree limb like Mike Mitten has written about. I guess I would have to drill a hole in the base of them because they came apart. I hesitate to do that thought.
The top two are a matched set found by my bro-in-law while he mushroom hunted with me and my husband. I asked him what he was going to do with them. He shrugged and asked if I wanted them. I said YES!
The bottom right was found by my husband while harvesting soybeans several years ago. He hid it behind his back then surprised me with it. One of the most memorable gifts he's given me.
The one on the left was given to me by my nephew.
I wish I could tell you a story of how I rattled in a buck with them.
The only thing I've rattled bucks in with were some point tines I sawed off and put in a thin sock. Tried it the first time one morning and two came in a bigger one I didn't see good and a 4 point.
I've got bunch of sets of sheds I use, but they are just too much extra weight for me to pack back in with all my other stuff..never had any luck with them when I did.
I haven't done it in a few years, but I'm looking forward to trying it in South Texas in a few weeks (I got a generous invite to hunt at a friend's place :pray: )
I have had a few respond but nothing remarkable.
I've rattled in a bunch of bucks over the years, and killed a few. Like Fritz, I now use the Pack Rack Magnum for the ease of carry....and IMO it's a great product that produces a realistic version of real antlers with plenty of volume.
Jeff, I haven't hunted everywhere, but the best responses I've had in rattling up bucks came from the Hill Country of TX. In a week, I honestly lost count of how many racked bucks I rattled in! Good luck! It is crazy when they are responding to the horns!
Good stuff everybody! South Texas seems to be the place to go for rattling up a good buck. In the future I want to hunt blacktails in Oregon or Washington and try to rattle one in.
Pack rack, great product.
I use them. My big set was hit by a 89 gmc. Smaller ones, a match set found by me and my brother. He found one, I found one. They've been working good lately.
Rattled in three this past week in Ohio.
I leave these four big sheds on the ground and then rattle them and bash them against the ground, brush and trunk of tree with haul line up to my right hand in the tree stand. My left hand holds my bow at the ready. I once rattled in 30 bucks during a ten day span during late season. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/Puppetfight_zpsa644ad13.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/hero/Puppetfight_zpsa644ad13.jpg.html)
I have rattled in a few with horns and a rattle bag. I like the rattle bag early in the season.
I've used this unmatched set of blacktail sheds to rattle in several hundred blacktail bucks over the years. Started getting a little bleached out so I painted them several years ago.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/DSC_6577_zpseb04050d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/DSC_6577_zpseb04050d.jpg.html)
I was surprised to see you mention late season, Mike. I've only tried rattling in the pre-rut period.
Do you guys use this all season long?
I have used both real antlers and a bag... success with both. I prefer a bag simply because they're easier to carry. I only use wood dowels. The plastic bags sound plastic. I even mix the size of dowels to get the best sound
I used a nice set of sheds I found several years ago but have never had any luck at all. I gave up a few years ago but maybe I should try again!