Whitetail Deer Game Calling: 3 Critical Tips for Maximum Results
Bowhunting for all intents and purposes is a game of ambush. Many bowhunters practice their craft by setting themselves up at the best possible location, either in a tree stand or in a ground blind, and then just wait. Many do not realize that calling in big mature trophy whitetail bucks can be just as successful and exciting as bugling for elk or gobbling for turkeys. In this article, I will explain three critical tips for whitetail deer game calling success.
The first thing you must take under consideration is the buck to doe ratio in your hunting area. In general, the ratio is ideal from one buck to three to six does to maximize the use of all game calling techniques. If the ratio is higher then one to six, then competition for does is not high enough. If the ratio is lower than one to three, then only aggression type of game calls such as rattling or aggressive grunting will work and only with bucks aggressive in nature. I have had some people tell me that this situation is good because they want to take the big mature aggressive trophy whitetail buck. I remind them that usually the big mature trophy buck is not the most aggressive. Why, because if he was, then he probably would have been taken by another hunter by now. Big bucks stay alive by keeping themselves hidden.
The second thing you must understand is that you must use the right game calling method at the right time of the year. There are three periods during the hunting season; pre-rut, rut, and post-rut.
During pre-rut, bucks are running together in bachelor groups and sometimes will respond to a non aggressive grunt that is simply saying “”Hi, I am over here””. The only difference between a doe and a buck grunt is that a buck grunt is deeper and lower in pitch. The key here is not so much to differentiate yourself from sounding like a buck or a doe but for it to be a more soft and passive sounding call.
During the rut, bucks will either respond to aggressive grunting and rattling because they believe two bucks are fighting over a hot doe, or they will respond to doe bleats. Many bowhunters make the mistake of only making buck sounds, not realizing that at this time of the year bucks are searching for does. The best part about a buck responding to a doe bleat is that they are not coming in cautiously thinking they are heading into a fight.
During post-rut, bucks generally will shy away from aggressive game calling. They are tired from their traveling during the peak-rut season and from generally not having such a rich food supply. They simply want to be around more does and are no longer as interested in getting into a fight.
The last point to remember in whitetail game calling is that it will not work, even under the best conditions, all of the time. The upshot is that your game calling might be ignored but unless they actually see and identify you, appropriate game calling will not alarm them, either. If you have ever performed sales work, you realize that not all techniques work all of the time but they will some of the time. That is why it is important to not get discouraged and then quit game calling all together. As mentioned above, when it is successful it is one of the most exciting bowhunting experiences you will have.
During the next hunting season, make sure you don’t enter the woods without a buck and doe game call and a set of rattling antlers if you are hunting the rut.
Copyright (c) 2011 Todd Jensen