dtk913

I hunt in Southern Iowa. Our rut really kicks in about the first or second week of November, but this year I have decided to try the early muzzleloader season which is Oct.15-23. I am wondering how much success people have had with rattling and grunts that far ahead of the rut.

DoctorDeath

DTK I AM NO ATHORITY ON THIS SUBJECT ..BEING FROM ALABAMA RATTLING IS NOT REAL EFFECTIVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEER POPULATION AND THE OUT OFKILTER BUCK TO DOE RATIO BUT I DO HUNT CANADA ON OCCATIONS AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND RATTLING IN THE PRE RUTCAN BE VERY PRODUCTIVE BECAUSE THATS WHEN A BUCK IS TRYING TO ESTABLISH HIS DOMINANCE .. I WOULD THINK THAT IF YOUR BUCK TO DOE RATIO IS BALANCED THEN THE RATTLING WOULD HAVE TO BE EFFECTIVE ALONG WITH THE GRUNTING ..BUT I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERS ON HERE THAT KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT IT THEN I DO ...GOOD LUCK ON YOU BLACK POWDER HUNT .. I WOULD LOVE TO HUNT IOWA SOMETIMES ..

ROLL TIDE
DD

skeeter 7MM

Liked DD mentions if you have success rattling closer to the rut phases(meaning doeto buck ratio or competition is there to breed) then pre-rut rattling can be productive. I rattle during the same period which also happens to be our ML season here in Sask. I prefer or have found the peak movement times of early am or evening are the best at this time of the year to rattle. I also rattle in transition areas that offer safety for the deer to come look and also give me some shooting lanes and cover. My rattling this time of year is very different than closer to the rut, it is basically sparring sequences vs an all out battle. I keep my intensity way down and call very little. If I do call it will be a low keyed contact grunts outside of the rattling sequences.

Only way is to try and see what happens. Best of luck!

ChasintheTrophys

Definately , You only want to tockle those tines this time of year .

mahoningbuck

you continue to tockle and i will begin to tickle. . . the horns that is!
GO BLUE!