Deer Calls? Or Just Blowing Hot Air!

[SteveMcD]

#6267

I remember decades ago, when Field & Stream and Fur-Fish & Game advertized “The Alaskan Deer Call” for $1. It was a simple gadget just two pieces of plastic that formed a mouthpiece and utilized a rubber band as a reed. I don’t ever think it ever worked, but it was a novelty. I still have that “call” in my box of old memorablia.

Now I have always been somewhat suspect of deer lures and attractants as nothing more than snake oil. Do they work? More often than not – No! Will they work on individual deer, depends on the deer, depends on curiosity, and age and experience. Any deer that has survived a hunting season or two quickly realize that any odd smelling stuff in their environment will likely mean danger! The deers alert is always at DEFCON 3 Level, any strange smells only raise that alert. More often than not Scents scare deer away.

Now my confession. Deer do vocalize, anyone who has spent time in the woods realize deer make more sounds than the typical alarm snort or snort-wheeze. So… although intellect should have dictated otherwise I bought one of those K & H (I’ll leave it at that) super duper Buck & Doe calls, and also the W.P. Super Hot, Horny, Sexy Marilyn MonDOE Estrus Bleat Calls. Yesterday morning promptly at 8AM an antlered buck is walking up the fire trail about 60 yards in front of me. He is heading away from me, so I pull out this Buck-Doe call a let out two Doe Grunts, as in, come over here. Nada nothing he is still walking away. He’s now 80 yards away and out of desperation I pull out the Super Sexy Pri* Doe Bleat Call… and let out a couple of Bleats – No Re-Action Whatsoever. BUT IT’S SUPPOSED TO WORK!!! ALL THE “Professionals“ 😛 ON TV USE THEM ALL THE TIME!! :shock::evil: Well, now.. there was another waste of $25 dollars!! Two phrases came to mind… “A fool and his money are soon parted” and “Never give a sucker an even break” (W.C. Fields). So these new calls will collect dust as a reminder of money not well spent. And will forever fall into the category of snake oil, like the rest of the junk out there.

No shortcuts for skills, scouting and woodsmanship. I should have known! :roll::cry:

Save your money for some new arrows or possibly some roses for your wife. You’ll be better off!

[George D. Stout]

#49618

Hey Steve, you will find guys who have a dozen different deer calls….one or two in every pocket, simply because they read or saw that they were the best way to get a big buck. Mostly deer will ignore calls…at least around here. I have had them come in during the rut, but not with a commercial call; I just used my built-in sound system, and it didn’t sound pretty. I think if a buck is horny enough he will respond to a fire whistle. That said, if they are on a does trail, they probably won’t give a second look. And when there is no rut, you are better off to just shut up and find intersecting trails. I can only talk about deer where I hunt in S.C. Pennsylvania, or northern Md..West Va.

[Clay Hayes]

#49632

In my experience grunt calls work in two situations. One is the rut when bucks are cruising around looking for a hot doe. As George says if they’re trailing, don’t bother. The second is with fawns and sometimes yearlings will readily respond to a doe grunt. I just use my voice and can make a range of grunts and bleats, but I do carry a primos grunt tube for making louder buck grunts. I rarely use it, but it’s there if I need it.

In short, calling deer does work in the right situations, and there are some commercial calls that sound really good. There are also some that sound terrible. There are a lot of gimmics, but not every call is one.

[Amoose]

#49728

SteveMcD wrote: I remember decades ago, when Field & Stream and Fur-Fish & Game advertized “The Alaskan Deer Call” for $1. It was a simple gadget just two pieces of plastic that formed a mouthpiece and utilized a rubber band as a reed. I don’t ever think it ever worked, but it was a novelty. I still have that “call” in my box of old memorablia.

I actually had one of those work for me once when Elk hunting, I saw some Mule deer about 200 yards away from me, I thought to myself, “why not ?” (deer season was open, and I had a tag) I blew what sounded like a bleat on it, saw no visible reaction, so I forgot about the deer… about 5 minutes later I had 4 deer standing about 15 yards away from me, staring at an idiot in camo !
Tried it a few other times, but I think it only works when the deer are relaxed and feeding, dunno

[strait-aero]

#49749

Steve,I’ve had both grunt(during the rut) and Primo’s doe bleat can call work for me on more than a few occasions….and I’ve used attractant scents that just worked the other day. Maybe you’re holding your mouth wrong.:lol:
Sorry, but I couldn’t resist. Wayne 🙄

[MCuiksa]

#49826

Steve, I’m a little off topic but just had to say:

The only two hunting mags I take are Traditional Bowhunter and Fur-Fish-Game. I really enjoy both and rarely hear of someone else even knowing about FFG as it’s a niche’ mag I think. I imagine several on this site do know of it and might even subscribe. 😀 Mike.

[David Petersen]

#49873

My experience is limitd in calling whitetails. On a recent hunt in Arkansas the bucks were actively in the chase mode (which is a truly funny thing to watch) and neither grunting nor bleating via “the Can” brought a single investigation by any deer in 5 days of hunting. However, last year hunting Coues whitetails down in AZ during late Dec. and early Jan., I repeatedly called in bucks with both grunts and the can, and they too were chasing does. The down side is that called-in Coues came in hyper cautious, standing off in the woods’ edge a distance away and carefully surveying the area (in the case a tree stand over remote water) before coming in, and were even jumpier than usual once they did come in. Make the mistake of calling to one that’s close and you haven’t seen, and it’s all over. So I resolved not to call for Coues any more. Rifle hunters down there use grunts to get bedded bucks to stand up in the tall grass for a shot op, and I think that’s the best use. So it’s like Clay says — depends on the situation and timing. I certainly absolutely wouldn’t use a call from a ground blind or when sneak hunting. “Don’t call too often, and don’t call too loud, and never call a buck that’s in sight” is the bottom-line advice given me by one whitetail mentor.

[William Warren]

#49902

My experience with scents, calling and rattling is that none of it is a “magic arrow” guaranteeing success. BUT, given the right circumstances they can and do work. Do they work all the time? No.
I enjoy rattling on a crisp frosty morning. The deer sometimes do come in alert and looking for the buck fight. If you are well hidden and let the deer get in position as you normally would, which BTW may not happen whether you are rattling/calling or not. So, there are no guarantees in deer hunting regardless of how you approach it.

[David Coulter]

#50580

I had a buck come in one morning. I had been rattling and using a grunt tube and a doe can, but trying not to overdo it. The buck was moving right along, walking with purpose and went around behind me into the thicket. When he was about 25 yards past and headed away, I gave a soft grunt. That turned him and he came back, but stayed behind me in the thicket, downwind, until he caught a sniff and took off.
I’ll never know how much the calling worked to bring him in the first place, but it did bring him back. No steaks on the table, but it sure was fun. dwc

[SteveMcD]

#51021

MCulksa… Yup. TBM and FFG is about it for me too. Except I’ll throw in Primitive Archer as well.8)

Yup. I rattled in a 12 point about 15 years ago. I’ll never forget it.. he came charging in! No time to get a shot. Same story.. no steaks on the table. 😆

I do not dispute that calls and scents and rattling work or not. Sometimes given the very right circumstances they do. My point is more often than not, they don’t work, and I highly suspect they spook more deer than they attract. 🙄

Just my 2 cents. 🙂

[David Petersen]

#51040

Steve McD said of calls and scents: “I highly suspect they spook more deer than they attract.”

As a westerner fairly new to whitetail hunting, I sure would like to know the answer to that question! Esp. regarding calling. Inexperienced elk hunters deluded by the false promise of calls and chemicals by videos and Outhouse Channel BS-ers absolutely can and often completely do stop real bulls from daytime bugling almost immediately. I call it bugle pollution, and much the same is happening with cow-call overuse in places. I doubt it’s so dramatic with deer calls, but it seems almost certain to happen at times.

[Vintage Archer]

#51075

Speaking of calls I bought a wheeze call the other day. I took it out of the package and called using the recommended method. Two short blast and one long. Nothing………no sound!
After many tries I was ready to take it back to the store….Luckily there was a video with it. I put the video in the computer and to my surprise and relief I found that a wheeze is just a rush of air. I was real embarrassed:oops:.
I have had some luck with grunt calls and bleat calls but I can hear them and so can the deer. Has anyone had experience with the wheeze call or is a joke being played on hunters:D

[William Warren]

#51084

With gun season now well underway and the increase of hunter activity in all but the most secluded areas there is certainly no telling what kind of education the deer are getting right now. 🙁

[strait-aero]

#51211

Yeah,Steve,you’re right…..calls and scents don’t always work. And excessive use can spook and educate the deer we hunt. But, we try to get them before our gun seasons begin every year. And then after gun season(like Duncan said) our job gets really tough. 🙁 Especially late season when I’m put freezing my “can” off. Wayne

[Jason Wesbrock]

#51261

I’ve never had much luck with grunt tubes, although I’ve stopped and shot more deer with a soft grunt than I can recall. With respect to the Primos can call, I wouldn’t be in the deer woods during the rut without one. I’ve called in and shot several bucks with it, including one last weekend. But I don’t blind call with them, and only use it after I spot a buck that’s not heading my way.

[strait-aero]

#51894

Mr. Wesbrook, I have had similar experiences like you and can attest to their working well, but I wondered why you don’t blind call, if you mean you don’t call from a ground blind.:? Wayne

[Jason Wesbrock]

#51906

Wayne,

By “blind calling” I mean using a call periodically even when you see no deer. The only time I use a bleat call is when I can see a buck that’s not working his way toward me, and then I only use it enough to get his attention and start him in my direction.

[strait-aero]

#53014

I’ve been guilty of blind calling ….I’ve had my scent hung out,then used my can. I’ve had does come back that I’d seen and then called and in a while they were there looking for the doe and dragging back a buck with them. I didn’t have a shot because by the time they got back the light had gotten too low to take a good shot.
Thanks for answering my question,sir.
Wayne

[strait-aero]

#53021

I’ve called without seeing deer,which as you say is “blind calling”,:oops:

[Don Thomas]

#63329

Sure, there are lots of overrated gadgets and techniques out there, but… Not all deer are created equal. I can assure you that no animal in the world responds to calling like a Sitka blacktail deer! I have literally been run over by them in response to a fawn bleat. One afternoon on Kodiak I spent an hour carefully glassing a basin without seeing a thing. I finally blew my call and within seconds had a half dozen deer converging on my from all directions, every one of which wound up in bow range. (Warning: brown bears also respond to fawn bleats!) Unfortunately, almost all the blacktails that respond this aggressively are does, but during the rut you never know what might be following them. I have had mule deer does respond in similar fashion. The Alaskan Deer Call you remember was the real deal. At least in Alaska.Don

[SteveMcD]

#9867

Interesting thread. I’ve had the opportunity to try to grunt a few bucks during the season so far, with no re-action at all. Being from New York, I guess the deer expect the call to have a “Brooklyn” accent. “Hey, use guys ova here-a!!, I’m walkin’ here, I’m walkin’ here!”. 😆

I will keep them as we all know deer are individuals and all react differently. But like George’s experience for the most part, they don’t work. At least not for me.

[strait-aero]

#11265

You started a great thread,Steve, with plenty offering their experiences and giving much food for thought. Wayne

[sharpster]

#24687

[quote=SteveMcD] Yesterday morning promptly at 8AM an antlered buck is walking up the fire trail about 60 yards in front of me. He is heading away from me, so I pull out this Buck-Doe call a let out two Doe Grunts, as in, come over here. Nada nothing he is still walking away. He’s now 80 yards away and out of desperation I pull out the Super Sexy Pri* Doe Bleat Call… and let out a couple of Bleats – No Re-Action Whatsoever. quote]

Steve,

I’ve been using deer calls- both grunt tubes and the can type bleat calls for years with excellent results… and on very highly pressured deer here in the People’s Republic to boot. Our deer are collage degreed in patterning and avoiding hunters and I have a pretty good idea why you got no reaction from your buck…. he simply didn’t hear your calls.

Like I said, I’ve been using deer calls for many years and let me tell you when they do hear a call, good or bad sounding, they will always exhibit some form of physical reaction. They may stop in their tracks and look in your direction but then continue on if they’re not interested or they may just stop and stare for a while. They may only flick their ears or sometimes they’ll just plain run away but you will see some physical reaction in body language when a deer actually hears a call.

Couple examples: I once grunted in a 6 point buck from well over 100 yards away but I had to get very loud for him to hear the call and react to it. He was walking down a dirt/gravel road far across a gravel pit I was hunting the opposite side of. When I first saw him I knew he wasn’t going to come anywhere near my stand so I quickly got out the grunt tube and hit it pretty hard… nothing. No reaction at all, he just kept up his steady pace. So I hit the grunt tube again only louder this time… still no reaction. So I let out one more grunt far louder than most guys would ever even consider blowing it and the buck instantly stopped dead in his tracks, looked in my direction then turned 90 degrees and walked straight up to 25 yards from me. I rushed the shot and missed but the point is when he finally did hear the call, he reacted physically and in this case favorably too.

Another time I watched a nice 6 point herding does all around my stand one evening but never getting close enough for a shot. The next evening I was back in the same stand with my trusty grunt tube at the ready. The buck showed up late and when I first saw him he was about 80 yrds out walking straight away from me. I quickly got out the grunt tube and did a couple soft grunts… nothing… no reaction at all… so again I hit the tube only a bit louder this time… same thing… still just steadily walking away. Now in desperation, I did a short series of very loud grunts and bingo… he immediately did an about face and literally trotted right up to my stand and I managed to kill him with a broadside 15 yard shot.

One more: A couple weeks back I took my youngest son Ethan out one afternoon for some shotgun squirrel hunting. On the way in to our spot I noticed some smoking hot fresh deer tracks leading the same direction we were going. I said to Ethan keep your eyes open this deer might be right here in front of us somewhere. No sooner had I said that when I noticed the outline of a deer standing in a thicket about 50 yrds in front of us. I pulled out my doe bleat and hit it very softly. I new he heard it because he turned his head and stared in our direction. Keeping Ethan very close, we slowly approached the deer which turned out to be a small one antlered forkhorn. I would bleat softly and occasionally as we kept closing the distance. His attention was fully focused on the “doe” coming towards him but he wasn’t too sure what was going on. Eventually we were able to get to around 25 yards before he got nervous enough to move off a few more yards. I kept hitting the bleat though and we were able to walk up on him again before deciding that we’d had enough fun with this poor guy and letting him go about his business.

Once again, if a deer hears your call he will display some type of reaction. If you see no reaction at all, chances are very good that he didn’t hear it. Don’t toss your calls just yet. Sometimes you gotta be louder than you’d think. Thanks!

Ron

[riddleofsteel]

#33575

I have had deer come in to see what the racket was when I was chopping wood. On the other hand, a few years ago,I saw a buck on the ridge above me working a scrape line, I blew a series of light grunts on a Quaker Phantom Buck call and he stopped cold. After turning his head to try and locate the source of the call he dropped his tail and literally ran out of the area. When I related the incident to a friend he compared the incident to; You are walking thru the woods when you hear a strange voice in the woods. Who knows in “deer talk” what that grunt meant? Maybe I was hollering “I am gonna kick your butt.”

At any rate other than rattling in a buck every couple of years during pre-rut most of my white tail calling has been either negative or zero effect. Until I see different I see silence as much more effective.

[David Coulter]

#55582

I watched a couple of youtube videos in the wee hours this morning and wanted to refresh this old thread to see if there are any fresh thoughts on the subject.

I haven’t tried a call or rattle het this year but I probably will at some point just for kicks. Dwc

[Jason Wesbrock]

#22385

Thanks for topping this off. My thoughts on the Primos can call haven’t changed. The weekend before last I called a solid 140″ 10-pointer into bow range with it. Unfortunately he didn’t offer a clear shot, but it was still a fun encounter.

That being said, my wife had a very nice 8-pointer cruise past her past weekend and paid no attention to the call at all. But two years ago she called a smaller buck out of our creek bottom and killed it at about 14 yards. As for me, my buck tag for the year is punched, so my can call gets to collect dust until next year.

[wojo14]

#30771

I think it all depends on the bucks and the time of year. The bucks on my grounds are on the prowl. I have a grunt call and decided to use it last Saturday. I called in a 6 point early in the morning. Then an hour later I called in a 4 point. Actually I called the 4 point in on 3 different occasions! He was definitely looking to see who was in his area! It was very cool to see his response from the grunt I gave him. He came right in all 3 times. Nocking tree limbs, making scrapes, and licking branches. I can wait to get back out there Wed night!8)

[Charles Ek]

#49026

I’ve called in exactly one buck, during the rut. He approached within 40 yards, at which point he intersected a doe trail I had watched being made a few minutes earlier. Bye bye.

A “doe” called to my wife and me from a thicket while we were walking the dogs along a trail in thick downed leaves yesterday. I resisted a nearly overpowering urge to call back with, “How’s that Primo’s workin’ for ya?” 😈

I think the proliferation of whitetail calls in the woods around here has thoroughly educated all but the most naive forkhorns. JMHO.

[Greg Ragan]

#14080

I hunt a lot of pressured areas and animals here. I have tried rattling and calls often but just don’t feel the effort of carrying them justifies them (from my experience). Sure, I have heard of the occasional buck come running but that has not happened for me. I have had some luck with just imitating a grunt with my mouth when a buck was already checking out things nearby….of course that grunt had the buck come in and when he did not see another deer immediately picked me out in the tree and was gone…

So now if a buck is heading away I may try a soft grunt, but I am not too confident it will do much but in that situation whaddyagot to lose…..

I think it all depends on that individual deer and the timing…but to me it is not worth the effort of carrying stuff.

[grumpy]

#15661

I sill remember looking at a Bass Bug (or perhaps a Royal Coachman) and thinking “That will never catch a fish.” And when I tried them, sure enough, they didn’t. But just a few weeks ago we were watching a bass bug intently, and a bass exploded on it. The big difference is that it sometimes takes a practice, and confidence. If you are going to catch fish you have to fish EVERY cast with the expectation that the fish of a lifetime is going to take. If you don’t you don’t catch ANYTHING.

I rattle and grunt a lot (the girls laugh at me) and, no, a big buck has yet to come chargeing up to me. But I didn’t catch anything the first time I cast a bass bug, or a Royal Coachman, or a Muddler Minnow, or a few hundred other flies.

There is an old saying that if you do not believe, perhaps you haven’t tried it enough. I have read that experienced callers only see 40% of the game that responds to the call. How do you know that you haven’t called up a deer, who saw you from behind a bush, and laughed his azz off at you? You have to practice untill you are good, And do it EXPECTING a big buck to come charging out at you.

Remember the Musky fisherman that catches a fish every 10,000 casts.

[Greg Ragan]

#21153

Perhaps Grumpy…..but I think I will focus my efforts on my stalking, sneaking, and shooting skills instead. To me carrying more “gear” and being tied to the trees is becoming less desirable. Especially now that I am having increased successes from the ground with minimal gear. I’ll still try out an occasional mouth generated call but I don’t think I’ll be lugging antlers around the woods anymore unless they are attached to the animal I am dragging out.:lol:

[Kees]

#39347

Working in the Tongass N.F. I called in quite a few deer just stretching a piece of surveyor’s flagging between my thumbs & their bases and blowing across it. And remember the article on Ed Bilderback calling in a whitetail by blowing across a blade of grass held the same way. Haven’t tried it since moving to Ohio though.

The new people on my survey crews were always impressed, although it didn’t work every time.

There was a video in the Ketchikan Library years ago where a local made a deer call by splitting a small piece of wood, carving out matching hollows in the split sides and stretching a piece of flagging across one for a reed, then taping the halves back together. Cheaper than buying a commercial call!

~Kees~

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