Deer calls

[fvigo]

Just wondering does anyone use deer calls? If so, when are they most effective, etc?

Also, while the current calls on the market are mostly plastic, is there evidence of deer calls used in the 18th century.

I have never used a call. A guy I met hunting said he uses a doe in heat can with a grunt tube and claims he has deer come to him. Just wondering if one has a better chance of seeing deer with a call.

 

[mikee51848]

Depends where you hunt. On private land, with light pressure, they might work. On heavily hunted public land, forget it. The only call I ever used, with mixed results, was a grunter. But bucks must be rutting for it to have a chance. I never heard of an 18th century deer caller, as deer were quite rare.

 

[bob1961]

i've learned to mimic deer by mouth and stomping the ground like they do....that way i don't ferget or lose any calls....a little bleat that sounds like a doe will stop a buck when he's just walking through....or a fawn bleat to stop a doe....try it some time you'll be amazed.............bob

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have a grunt tube but seldom use it. If I see a deer that is upwind of me and obviously moving away I will give a soft grunt to see if I can turn him. This worked once so I've carried the call ever since. :haha: You'll never get a buck with or closely following a doe to come to your call.

If I'm not seeing any deer I will give a series of grunts to see if I can't pull something in, but can't say for sure this has ever helped. The rut is usually winding down hereabouts by the time regular opens, and m/l is way after the rut. They don't come in all frothy and rarin for a fight like I see on TV. They come in tippie-toe like ghosts and circle downwind for a preliminary sniff.

Occasionally I give a soft whistle to stop a deer just at the last moment before a shot. That doesn't always work as planned.

 

[JeffD]

I agree. I've used a doe bleat call on private land with light pressure and it did work, several times on various does. But, I've also used the same call the past 2 seasons on private land that has very heavy pressure and saw nothing.

 

[roundball]

Reminds me of a few years ago I was on a public gameland and unknown to me, there was a hunter a couple hundred yards away.......unknown to me that is until he bagan using a grunt call...he used it like you'd call in greenheads...blew it almost constantly and very loud...even I could zero in almost to the tree that he must have been in...every buck within earshot probably left the county...funny thinking back on it.

My personal philospohy...no science...is total secrecy unless & until I can take a shot...I don't want them to hear me come in, don't want to make any sounds at all while I'm there, don't want them to hear me leave.

The most noise I ever want to make in the deer woods is the occasional rifle shot and dragging a deer out through the leaves....no other sounds, no litter, no odor, I even use pee bags...slip in & slip out...no science, just my approach.

 

[howdydoit]

I agree with roundball. In and Out. the less they know you there the better it will be for tomorrow. I have used the can and a few different grunt calls (cant say the work) the best thing is to get it and find out where they move. Sneak in and ambush. then Sneak out. the only seceret is where your at and how you got there. :winking:

 

[Maynerd62411]

I've had a grunt call work once. It was an opening day of regular season, 3rd weekend of November. It may have been a coincidence, too. :hmm:

 

[Catof9tails]

I've tried the grunt and doe bleat calls and can't say they really produced anything for me. Used them several times trying to turn a buck without success. I hunt public land and find that I see more whitetail deer just sitting and waiting. It best fits me to get in with little noise as possible and set up.

I've noticed when you make any noise, the deer know exactly where that noise comes from. They will spot me everytime. For my area I find it best to be still and silent.

Just my two cents worth.
Cat9

 

[JeffD]

Sounds like good advice. I was thinking I need to put the call away and not use it anymore. Taking the extreme sneaky approach seems to be the best overall way to pursue deer.