I've rattled in a few bucks (that I saw). For me it has always been late November/early December in the Panhandle. But that just may be because that's when I get to hunt. So, even though I've had some success with it, I have the same question as the OP.

I rattled in the buck I took last year. It was a 125ish 8 point that came right in looking for a fight. I had called him in earlier that day with a grunt/estrus can combo at another location but had not seen him until he blew when I got up to move.

When it works for me, I would estimate that I get a response 1 out of every 7 or 8 set-ups. Part of that is probably because there aren't that many deer on the place to start out with.

You can get you a$$ flat leveled down here in Live Oak county rattling at the eight time. To repeat what others have said, it depends on alot of factors, including phase of rut, moon phase, weather, wind and most importantly, buck to doe ratio. If you hunt on a place with a low buck to doe ratio, forget rattling as an effective hunting technique-it ain't gonna happen.

I'll also say that I don't think many people have a clue as to how to effectively execute this technique. Put some thought into where and how you setup, how you get in and out of the location, camoflauge, eliminate scent etc etc.

We've had days where we rattled up 20+ deer in 2-3 hours. Of course weve also had days where we got skunked. Being persistent is key bc when you do hit it right, damn it's fun. And, it's underrated as a technique to locate big bucks, which you can come back and still hunt later.

I've been rattling on the toilet this past week and all I can get is my wife yelling shut up so its still a bit early I think..

Probably that cover scent your using....

Here's another data point.

Last year, I killed a mature 8 point by rattling him in on December 5, at 2 pm in the afternoon.

Menard County, so western hill country. The rut is usually right around Thanksgiving, so this would be about 10 days after Thanksgiving.

Timing, timing, timing....

Kind of like location in real estate!

We lease in western part of Edwards County and the best time for rattling has been just before the peak rut. Usually this is about the last 10 days in November as the rut historically peaks the first week of December there.

I also have to consider that there are 13 other members of the lease (5000 acres) and the last thing I want to do is educate a bunch of deer and mess with everyone's chances. I'll pick a relatively small area, maybe 100-200 acres tops and work very slowly. Each location I'll spend 15-30 mins and then move maybe a hundred yards and set up again. On good sessions I have rattled in up to 14 bucks.

I have found that the majority of bucks that come in are 2.5 to 4.5 yr olds, the most aggressive breeders and opportunistic youngsters I reckon. I really can't think of a more exhilirating way to see deer, but it is rare that I'll shoot any of these bucks as they are mostly middle aged and I know the mature ones seem to have more sense! I'm thinking that most bucks that come to horns are convinced there's two monarchs battling and they are coming in to pick up some tail on the sly!

By the way our buck:doe ratio is about 1:1.8

I've personally seen deer cross a highway after being rattled in, so I know it works but problem is I've never had much (i.e. ANY) success with rattling myself.

I just picked up one of those Knight & Hale Pack Racks last season and although it sounds good to my ears the deer in my neck of the woods weren't all that interested, even during rut.

+1 I have rattled 2 different bucks to within 5 yards and had to holler at them and wave my arms to keep from getting run over. lol

By the way.....I prefer to use a rattle bag instead of actual antlers. The key is to use one with wooden rods (not plastic). It sounds much more realistic.

I use one of the old ABS rattle boxes..they seem to like the noise.

I never hesitate to rattle -- when i used to bowhunt, i'd rattle as early as the middle of Oct. Where i hunt in W Tex, the best times seem to be the last week of October thru the first 1 1/2 weeks of Nov up to the peak of the rut. But once bucks pair up with does, they usually are not interested leaving a hot doe to check out the rattling.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Usually the bucks will respond in the first 15 min or so. If you dont see anything after 30 min, try using a buck grunt call or estrus bleat.

Anytime the line is not flat

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/planning/rut_whitetailed_deer/table/#savannah

Hunted this morning. Had a decent 8 point walk by me without stopping. I wasn't really interested in shooting him, but I decided to see if he would turn around and come back to my rattle bag. I hit it a few licks, but he didn't seem interested. I messed around with the rattling for another 15 minutes (about 5 minutes between sessions) and then decided it was time to go to work. I gathered up all of my junk, got down from my tripod and started walking back to the truck. Yep, hadn't gone 30 yards when I jumped a 4 point and right behind him was a medium sized 10. Could have been coincidence, but I think both bucks were standing behind a thick group of cedars right behind me listening to the rattling.

BTW - Rattling and bow hunting is dang hard. Works much better with a gun.

Last week in Jack Co..Rattled in a young buck last week and let him walk.Waited five minutes after he left and hit the horns again and 10 minutes later him and another buck showed up.I have a few pics on game camera in the last two weeks of bucks pushing each other around infront of the feeder so I know they are establishing dominance..

Sometimes I've had them crashing in thru the brush to within 10 feet stomping and snorting. Other times, i've had em come in stealth but not known it until i got up to leave stand (like you) and spooked em.

i rattle when i feel the urge to pass gas on stand.