Anyone out there use small antlers for rattling in a prospective buck? I have a small set I acquired and was wondering. They're perfect size for carrying in the woods without trouble, but wondered if it was even worth trying.

Rattled in 80 percent of my popers

This is a small 6pt rack off a 1.5 year old. The brow tines are barely 1' long.

They will produce a different tone but will attract bucks all the same.  If it picks their curiosity that day you are in for a show.

My rattling horns are from an 8pt I killed that scored prolly about 75". I cut the brow tines off so they wouldn't be in the way. I've rattled in a lot of bucks with that set of little horns.

I rattle with a small 8 pt rack. They have worked for me.

The small rack will likely effect your confidence more than the sounds effect on bucks.

This particular subject has been debated for 25+ years.

One consulation no matter what the opinion is that one is less likely to be busted rattling with a small rack vs. a big rack with long tines.

A significanct % of deer which have positively responded are never seen by the hunter. They may have winded or spotted the hunter...been mildly curious...needed more convincing, not a truely an aggressive deer, rut cycle timing or a sort of many other possible reasons. This particular unseen response does serve to diminish confidence.

Rattle with what you have and maintain your confidence and preparedness. One theory is that a big rack sound may spook some nonaggressive shooters. Not all trophy bucks are fighters and some bucks ignore your rattling one day and respond aggressively on another.

Best of luck!

Use them Bud. Sometimes less is more.

I was thinking with them being smaller they'll less likely scare off any smaller bucks and more likely tick off the larger ones... one can hope  

Exactly. Look at rattle bags. They sound like higher pitched antlers and they work. Each deer is different and like us it depends on their mood.

Yep, use em! I have a small 10 point rack that has rattled in dozens of deer, some quite large!!

Like Matt said, each day is a different mood for each buck!

I have pix of three different buck pushing matches during the last three weeks on my trail cams.  All involve 1.5 to 2.5 year old deer with smaller racks.  If that is what they hear out there, why wouldn't it work for you ?
ChuckC

One of the theories of rattling is that when a buck hears the clashing of antlers, he investigates to find out if he can steal the doe when the other two bucks are fighting; not necessarily to join in the fight.  A wise old buck will definitely investigate a small set of antlers being clashed.  On another note, if you use antlers that are too large, a "good" buck might not come in because he suspects the two bucks fighting are larger than he is and he feels intinidated.  That said, use the smaller antlers.

I feel the same.  I have seen the skinned carcass of a 200# plus dressed weight buck from around here whose entire rib cage on one side was a giant bruise. The buck that thrashed him must have been big.  I would imagine the smaller antlers would not deter the smaller bucks, and certainly still draw in any big aggressive bucks.

Thanks guys. After this storm passes I'm gonna give it a try.

Keep the tips coming. I have never rattled a buck in.