Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    One bad thing about rattling antlers is, you have to use real antlers.
    Those plastic antlers just don't sound like real ones.
    
    If you work the bag right, there is no reason why it shouldn't work.
    One thought though, if you walk in the woods, will the bag rattle while
    you are traveling.
    
    bob
    

         
    re .1
    
    Bob,
    
    I have to disagree with you on this one...last fall I borrowed a pair
    of those synthetic antlers, on 2 occasions I rattled bucks within my
    line of sight.  Another time when I was experimenting during mid-day,
    I used my knife and small mini-mag flashlight to make light rattling
    noises, wasn't I surprised when a small buck (4 pts or so) was seen
    sneaking throught the brush 30 yds. behind me...
    
    I think it's more important to be in an area that holds a few bucks,
    where there is some competition.  I don't think the actual sound makes
    a whole lot of difference to a rutted up buck.  This of course is just
    my perception...
    
    Kevin

    
    I have a Rattling Bag but haven't had an success with it as of yet. I
    really don't take it with me a lot though. In comparison to sound it 
    seems pretty good though. By the feel of the bag it contains 2 round
    dowels 1"-2" thick, and 2 square blocks of wood 3"w X 1 1/2"t, and I 
    would believe made of hardwood. You should be able to find these items 
    in your/a childs (He/She) building block set also. A fellow noter that
    very rarely replies to this file bought a set of synthetics from Dick
    Idols catalog and rattled in a 200+ pound 10 Pointer in Maine last year
    so I'm not sure which way to go on the subject of Real vs. Synthetic.
    
    
                                                     Guy
    
    

    I haven't had any experiance with "the bag", except maybe my wife, but
    here's a pretty good story.
    
    A friend of mine and I were out two years ago (bowseason) and he was
    rattling about 100 yards away from me.  He rattled for a minute or
    two  and all was quiet.  After about 5 minutes, more rattling and all
    quiet.  After about 15 minutes he came running up to my stand smiling.
    He said he called in 3 bucks, 2 small ones and a nice 7 point.  He
    said he shot at the 7 pointer and the arrow went right over his neck.
    At this I got fired up and said, you callem' and I'll shoot them.  We
    then started back to where he was calling and I saw something move
    about 40 yards away.  It was the 7 point kicking his last.  He had hit
    him right in the neck.  
    
    Point:  I know the real thing works, and always, always make sure of
    a complete miss.
    
    Wess
    

    RE:.1
    
    I Have to disagree also... I've had some success, although limited with
    rattling antlers of the synthetic variety.  I mean, whos got real ones
    their gonna cut up to use in the woods when they could be hanging on
    the wall... ;^)
    
    don't have any experience using the bag.  I imagine it'd work, i once
    rattled in a small forkhorn once by accident while cleaning a judo
    pointed arrow.  I had taken a shot at a red squirrel and missed (what
    else is new) i pussy footed over to retrieve the arrow, and was hitting
    it on a dead pine branch to knock off the mud, when all of a sudden,
    here comes this forkhorn looking for the action... needless to say i
    never got a shot off... 
    
    as far as the synthetic vs real antlers goes... the real ones lose
    their tone after a while, where the synthetic ones don't...
    
    FWIW, Fra
                

    Right on Fra,
    
    Synthetic horns haold their tone better with age. I have been rattling
    in bucks for 15 years or so. Although I use real antlers. I have to
    change them every so often. My current one are 2 year old 10 point. My
    brother uses synthetic and has had the same set for about 5 years.
    Another problem with real ones is that all it takes is nasty weather,
    ie.. rainy for hunting trip and the real ones will go "dead" on you.
    The only reason I still use real ones is they are cheap and I have
    never found a way to cook them to my satisfaction. Soaking the real
    things in water during the off-season and them drying them out will
    make them last longer but they will eventually go dead on you no matter
    what. 
    The rattling bag I have no experience with, but I can tell you from my
    experience as a rattler that the sound is good from the bag.
    
    Just my $.02
    Harvey
    

    Thanks for the info thus far. One reason I was interested in the bag
    vs. antlers is that the bag would likely not require as much motion in
    order to make noise as compared to antlers.  One demonstration I saw on
    TV was with a bag that just contained hardwood dowels (I think) and all
    the hunter did was to roll the bag along one leg while he sat.  This
    same hunter also said synthetic antlers were far superior to real ones.
    
    One of my buddies carries around the antlers and is always complaining
    they are too bulky.  I've never tried rattling before and plan to this
    fall.
    

    
    Just my two point five cents worth.  There is no doubt that deer will
    respond to rattling, however I have seen them come to a tree line while
    target practicing.  Guess once again its area relative.  Deer are
    curious animals and I've been surprised seeing deer after making a
    short series of noises.  Like the time I was telling my son about being
    quiet etc... while hunting.  While this discussion is going on a buck
    and doe walked up behind us and just stood there and watched.  Can't
    say how long but they hung around for short time after I was done
    talking with my son.  Then they simply turned around and left, a little
    better informed perhaps.  I have tried rattling in the past, but after
    actually hearing the real thing have become convienced that my
    technique needs work.
    
    Leonard

    Leonard,
    
    Welcome to notes this year!  Gosh, I haven't heard from you I was
    fearing that the gods of TFSO might have come your way.  Let's get
    together soon.  We have Red Newsham down here now, and we need to
    sight in our rifles and talk deer hunting.  Buckarama is on the 14th
    thru the 16th.  My x-57201.
    
    
    Back to bags, no guys , not your wives.  The reason I said synthetic
    was not as good as the real thing is because that is what I was told
    from someone whom I respect in deer hunting.  Guess no one is perfect.
    The antlers are a pain in the butt to carry around, especially when
    you are working your way through thickets.
    
    If there is no difference in performance from antlers or bags, use the
    bags!
    
    Bob
    46 days and counting >>>>---------->
    

    Before anybody jumps my a$$ about my comment on bags and wives, this
    is what is known as humor, ok?
    
    bob
    

    Not the slightest bit.  I just don't want this note to go rathole.
    
    Back to synthetic antlers.  I own a pair.  I will try again this year.
    When should one rattle.  Only during rut, or all season.  Should I
    throw in some grunts to?
    
    bob
    (not even thinking of the gun yet >>>>---------->45 days)
    

    Bob,
    
    Rattling seems better in Rut but I have also had limited success at
    other times. Deer are curious and will sometimes come to the noise
    even when not in rut. Most curious are the young bucks but sometimes
    I get the dominant buck in the area because he thinks some new guys
    are in his area. YES throw in some grunts and bush thrashing and foot
    stomping. I learned rattling from being lucky enough to actually
    witness a joust once. YTou can't believe the amount of noise and the
    size of the area 2 bucks will tear up.
    
    just my $.02
    Harvey
    

    
    Hi Bob
    
    Heard Big Red was in town, but wasn't sure how get in touch with him.
    
    Buckarama, the 14th thru 16th of when?  Hope its not this month have a
    show to do up in Nashville.
    
    We, son and I, just got back from camping in New Mexico.  Woods
    abundant with elk and wolfs.  Will have to tell you about the camping,
    you may find it interesting, at least the tense parts.
    
    Sighting in, I assume were are talking about going back to 'the' spot? 
    When would you want to go?  Will Red be able to come also?   We could
    do lunch one afternoon, schedules permitting.
    
    Will you be using the .270 this year? 
    
    Leonard
    

    Len,
    
    call me at x-57201 offline as not to rathole this note.
    
    bob
    btw, yes, .270 will be the deerslayer.
    

    Well, I ordered the rattle bag through Cabelas.  Price was 6.99 (I
    think) versus 9.99 for the exact same thing through Gander Mtn.  I like
    the sound and it's real easy to use.  Bag is camo cloth with a strong
    velcro fastener to go around your belt.  The bag has two ties to tie
    aroud the bag so the sticks inside don't rattle when you don't want
    them to.  The bag is sewn shut, but feels like there are about six 1/2"
    diameter hardwood dowels inside with rounded ends (so they don't
    puncture the bag itself.  It would be pretty easy to make one of these,
    but for 6.99, that's pretty easy too.  Come November I'll see how it
    works.  (Checked out the are in Maine that I  saw a nice buck last year
    and saw some big tracks there.)
    
    Also ordered from Cabelas some coon cover scent.  (Getting' tired of
    fox pee. ;^)  Now I KNOW this stuff works.  The bottle has a worning
    label on it (honest) that says if you get it on you animals may attack
    you.