torontohunter

I was thinking of using some of my sheds to try and rattle in a buck this year. I have a rattle bag but believe the real thing will work better, but I've heard otherwise.
Let's hear your stories or opinions on the matter.

extreme1

Personally I prefere real antlers for rattling.Lets face it,they came off a live animal at once,making the most natural sound in the wild.
I have used a rattling bag in the past with great results also.If I plan on walking and stopping for a brief time to rattle and grunt then the bag would make more sence,being less clumsly(SP).
If I am sitting in a tree stand,then the real ones for me(drop sheds)are my choice.
All my stands have a set of antlers hanging from a hook waiting for me when I arrive to my stand.
I would reccomend cutting the brow tines off the sheds,they are hard on your hands when you really get banging them together

Hunter06FlKy

i've used them both. i personally think it's all in preference of what you want to carry. if you don't have a lot of room i would go with the rattle bag. if you don't mind having more bulk to carry go with the antlers. i would try them both and see which one you prefer. right now i use the bag since i have to walk a good ways to where i want to hunt and its alot easier to use but thats just me, but every now and then i do use the antlers they have a better sound.

HuntingBry

I've used sheds for a long time. Honestly they are a pain in the rear end. Transporting them in and out isn't too bad, but after a rattling sequence putting them in a place where they are out of the way and won't be bumped or make any noise in the stand is a pain. They also require both hands making it difficult to use a grunt or as I like to do use multiple grunts. The sound is the best you'll get anywhere, but this year I'm switching to a rattle bag. They are more compact, easier to stow when not in use, can be used with one hand and produce good enough sound to attract any deer. That's my 2 cents.

adams

Real antlers suck to carry but I prefer them to a rattle bag hands down. If I'm still hunting or stalking I don't bring them but if I'm on stand my antlers will be hanging right next to me.

jepcho

I think the real antlers may sound a little more real but not enough to really effect the hunting. The rattle bags are a little safer, especially when used from a tree stand. I would like to find some sheds to use for rattlers though.

Dirt2

I've used both and never come close to bringing in a buck with either. That being the case, I'm not messing with all the peripheral pains in the rear that come with hauling around real antlers. For one, I really hate mashed fingers on a cold morning. I carry a rattle bag - easy to pack, lightweight - for those rare times when I need to remind myself how ineffective rattling really can be!

burniegoeasily

Ive had more luck with a bag. Not because it is better, but because it is easier to carry, there for I tend to use it more than a real rack. I think this is the only reason I have had more luck with a rattle bag. I believe they both work about the same. That is in compareing equal size rack sounds to proper situations.

flat feet

For me it depends on the time of year, early I carry the bag and lightly rub them together. Sounding like two small bucks figuring out where there horns are. During the Rut I bring out the big horns to make some real noise. Play the time of year, Working to hunt has never slowed me down. Good Luck

max the dog

I've had buck respond to both but none were worth getting excited about. In my experience large bucks tend to ignore the rattling. Of course it could be the way I was using them.

But I do admit the bags are much more convenient to use. With real antlers you have to make a lot of movement to be effective while a bag can be used with one hand while not making much movement.