I killed a huge buck opening weekend. Personal best. Since we only harvest one mature buck a year on my lease and I have all this time I am going to do some rattling and just see what happens. If I screw up who cares, just going to be taking pictures anyways.

I have watched plenty of videos and have practiced in my back yard so I feel pretty comfortable about the actual rattling. My questions are, how long do you rattle at one time, how long do you wait before rattling again, and how often do you move and reset when rattling?

Some advice here would be appreciated but if not I will just experiment.I got the rest of the season to play, take a cull, and ambush a few turkeys.

Thanks. Gives me some needed info. We will see what happens.

If you have other hunters on your lease, they might. Basically, you will be "educating" the deer.

i like to imitate a full fledg fight goin on, with the ground the horns and tree branches quick off on for a few minutes then give it a rest for 10 to 15 minutes, when i start back up i start with tickling, a buck might be real close and just some tickling will get him out in view, if nothing i get louder and louder till its a full fledge fight again. repeat 3 times then move locations.

Don't stop til you see one. Rattle on the ground near something that you can hit with the horns be it leaves, rocks, small tree limbs etc. I've found it best to get in the very bottom of a draw and hide yourself!! Best to have an island of trees to hide in within a relatively open space. I've had bucks make a complete circle around me trying to wind me. Also, remember, those deer would rather be up high looking down at the fight until they can really tell what's going on. You need to be below them. Also think about the position of the sun. You would rather it be in their eyes than yours. It's amazing how strange they'll act when you watch them. Seeing them behave that way is worth it. I will say that rattling works best with two people. One rattling and one shooting. You don't necessarily want to stop rattling when you see them. Its strange, but they will keep coming at you even when you think they have you pegged. They won't stop til they wind you. Two people also gives the shooter more time to judge.

wow not many responses, guess most just sit looking at a feeder

Question: When 2 bucks are fighting, can you walk up on'em without scaring them off ?

If they're locked up you can, it has been my experience that they will see you and forget what they were fighting about.

Not sure about this one. But I have seen a video of a WT buck and an Axis buck fighting in Frio County on a ranch. Ranch owner is yelling at them and then gets out of his truck and walks to them and they continue to fight. When they are fighting they are usually concerned only about the buck in front of them. That is why so many bucks get sucker punched by a third buck in a fight. Some will spook but I am betting some will continue to fight.

Our deer are scared of their own shadow too, it might make a difference.

No they are skeered of a 270 WSM

truck too..they dont even like that to break their safety buffe zone when theyre tied up.

be sure and play the wind to your advantage, I like to rattle for 3 to 4 mins then pause for 3 to 4 and repeat that 3 times.if nothing shows I try to move a half mile or so before trying again Seems to have worked well for me in the past.