Rattling antlers vs rattle bag

dnovo · November 03, 2011, 10:10:00 PM

I've always used a set of real antlers for rattling, but it seems that I lost them this past weekend and didn't notice until today. I do have a rattle bag here that I bought for one of my boys but have never used it. Who has comparison of the two as for as sound and how well they work? We might as well have input on the fake antlers as well.

November 03, 2011, 10:19:00 PM

the bags just never sounded right to me, im using some fake ones now, and they seem to be close to the real thing and lighter.but im sure the bags will work just fine. im planning to do some rattling tomorrow mornning, .

Steve in Canton · November 03, 2011, 10:23:00 PM

i have rattled in deer with both, not seen much difference. one thing that is nice about the bag is when the deer is getting close you can rattle without much movement and just tickle them together.

klight · November 03, 2011, 10:26:00 PM

I use real antlers taken from a seven point that had no brow tines. They sound better to me than the synthetic ones I had before. But I dont think the deer care either way.

Mark Baker · November 04, 2011, 12:05:00 AM

I've alway preferred real antlers, but the past two seasons have been using the pack-rack magnum by Knight and Hale....and I give it a two thumbs up!

It sounds as close to real as you can get, much better than the "bag" types, has plenty of volume, which is important for us out west, and is versatile and easy to pack. Nothing worse than carrying a big set of rattling antlers. Oh, they look cool...but a real pain and noisy.

Apex Predator · November 04, 2011, 05:42:00 AM

I've used both, a lot. After hitting a session on the bag last year, I'm thinking to myself how bad it sounded. Within a minute or two an 8 pt is breaking through cover to get to my location, as if on a string. I'm gonna try that "pack rack" plastic thing next.

Friend · November 04, 2011, 06:09:00 AM

Have had favorable results with both. Lacked confidence in the sound from the 1st rattle bags until the bucks proved otherwise.

Once had a min book deer walk in and bed 40 yards away as I had just climbed into the stand. Finally got my bow up and the deer had me pinned down for approx. 45 minutes. I grunted at him and twice he stood up, looked and turned around then would bed down again. Lastly, I reached in my back pack and lightly tickled the rattle bag. He immediately got up, was all brissled and eased in, yet with purpose, w/i 15 yards as he moved past. Have called in at least two more bucks in a similar manner.

Been visibly busted on several occassions using horns and likely far many more times than I was aware of. Yet to be visibly busted with the rattle bag, however it will eventually happen.

I have opted for the bag the past ten years.

Mint · November 04, 2011, 08:55:00 AM

Last week I tried the pack-rack magnum for the first time. Boy, you can really get some volume with it. I like it much more than the bag and it is a lot easier then carrying the antlers. I plan on using it tomorrow.

Burnsie · November 04, 2011, 11:33:00 AM

Been trying the pack-rack out this year also, let you know how it works out.

dnovo · November 04, 2011, 12:55:00 PM

I am going to try the rattle bag this weekend and also just picked up a pack-rack. I like the way it sounds and sure will be easier to carry in than real antlers.

doulos · November 04, 2011, 01:09:00 PM

Ive had good luck rattling in deer with a rattling bag. Especially in early season. I rattled in 2 bucks opening morning of the NY southern zone bowseason. One 7 point I declined the shot almost straight down. And he never gave a better one. And then a small 5 or 6 point I passed. I have killed at least 5 bucks that came into that rattling bag. But no big ones.

two4hooking · November 04, 2011, 02:17:00 PM

I have never had any luck with the rattle bag...but then I hunt pressured whitetails here....

Terry Green · November 04, 2011, 04:36:00 PM

1st buck I ever rattled up was with with a bag....when the rattle bags first came out. No, he wasn't a big buck, but I sure tricked him.....

1st Deer ever on the ground with a bow also, and it was Thanks Giving Day.....

Link to Story....

Jerry Jeffer · November 04, 2011, 05:14:00 PM

I have had a positive result using both.

StickBowManMI · November 04, 2011, 05:43:00 PM

I have always used real antlers because I think that they sound better than the bags. Unfortunately they are bulkier to carry around all day. The real antlers have been very effective for me.

Don Stokes · November 05, 2011, 04:44:00 PM

I "rattled" in a buck once accidentally while clearing cedar branches so I could climb the tree. When they're hot, they're hot!