Calls and How I Use Them

Buying products to use when hunting can be very overwhelming. There are many different brands of that have their own claim to fame. This is especially true with calls. There are many different types that come in different shapes sizes colors etc. They all are supposed to do one thing in common and that is to call in the deer. My personal opinion on buying calls is to find the ones that fit your style of calling and stick with it. No matter what call you use, practice will be needed. I will practice way before the hunting season even starts. I found a nearby field in which some large bucks have been seen. This is where you can see instant feedback on which calls draw their attention and which ones don’t. You must put in the work to get better at what you do. So, practice practice practice. The better you become at calling, the better the advantage you have.
When going into the woods, I make sure I have my three calls with me at all times. I use the Flextone Grunt tube with the slider, the primos bleat can, and a pair of rattling antlers.
The flextone grunt tube has been my go-to call the past two years. Last season I called in an 8 pointer that was dogging a doe to 7 yards before he met the rage chisel tip. The year before, I drew in a 7-pointer using the same tube. All this from the ground. I love the slider on this because it helps to quickly change from buck grunt to doe or fawn just by sliding the switch on the call.
My biggest thing before I start calling is to know the deer that are in the area. Trail cams will help you record what bucks are in that area. This will help you in choosing the tone you use. You never want to sound too big if the deer in that are aren’t that size. You want to sound beatable. You won’t go up to someone who is bigger and stronger than you and try to pick a fight. Neither will the deer. Know what you have around and that will determine the tone.
Once I know the deer I am after, I will begin to call. I will start by doing grunts in a 3 to 4 at at a time pausing 5 seconds in between each one. I will do 3 sessions of this and pause to see what is around and if anything picked up on the call. One thing to remember, you do not need to grunt so loud. I try to muffle my grunt. The deer can hear you. Trust me. If hunting next to a creek or somewhere with background noise, I will then raise the decibels. Once I do the three sessions, I will start to call again every half hour or so. Don’t overcall. This could give away your location and they can catch on quickly.
When using the grunt tube, I will also use my slider to try to create a scenario of a hot doe being dogged by a tending buck. I will let out 3-4 doe grunts. Once I do this, I pause and set the slider back to buck grunt. From here, I change the direction of my calling and use the tending buck grunts. I do about 8 quick little bursts simulating a tending buck. I will go back and forth here between doe and buck trying to put that deer that hears us in a scenario of a hot doe with a buck on her. My grunt tube has been my best weapon in the woods by far. I practice all the time working on simulating the real deal. Practice with this and you will have success.
The next call I use is the Primos Bleat can. I use this can to simulate a hot doe. I have been practicing with this more and more. This year I am going to be using this to set up a calling situation with my father who will be sitting 80 yards from me. I will call with the can and he will be grunting. Another good way to create that scenario. The biggest thing I learned with this can is to turn it half way and then stop. Don’t let the can go all the way to the bottom. Turning it half way will give a more realistic bleat. I have seen this can used very effectively this way. I will be practicing this call this year to try to perfect it.
The last call I bring are my rattling antlers. This call is known to bring in some large deer from ways away. I use these the same way as the grunt tube and do rattles in 3-minute sessions. Remember, sound beatable. Don’t sound like a 150-inch deer if there isn’t one the same size or bigger around. I also like to mix in rubbing and hitting the trees with the antlers. This can resemble a buck taking out the aggression on a tree and let another in the area know he won’t go down without a fight. My uncle rattled in an 8 pointer two years ago. The deer was bedded down up on a ridge about 75 yards away. My uncle began a rattle session and this deer came barreling down the hill to see who was in his area. Curiosity kills the cat.... or buck!!!!
The last thing I wanted to go over was when to use these calls. To me, calls can be used at any time. Obviously, when used during the rut you will see best results. Deer don’t stop communicating. They also don’t only communicate during the rut. So yes, calling should work anytime. Just picking the right one and use the right tone. All of my followers must remember...... practice and preparation will lead to success. Good things come to those who work. If you are passionate about hunting like I am, anyone can be successful. I am constantly learning. That is why I love hunting. Remember, stay in the hunt!!!!!