Attracting the Big Prize: Different Ways to Lure in the Dominant Buck

The leaves are beginning to fall, the weather is starting to cool, and hunters across the nation are starting to get the itch.

Deer season is fast approaching in most Northern states.

So how do you attract that big buck you've long sought? That prize kill to brag to all your friends about? Today, we'll explore the different calls that hunters use to attract the 'big one.'

The grunt call: When using a grunt tube you are trying to reproduce a communication sound that all deer make. Usually the deer makes a soft contact grunt to tell another deer "Hey come check this out". A heavier, louder grunt can be made by bucks when fighting over an estrus doe, or when fighting over their territorial rights. Most hunters use a grunt tube to try and bring in a dominant buck in the area. Be careful. The deer will move in looking and scent checking for the source of the noise. If he doesn't spot you or smell you, your chance at a buck just increased. You can also use the buck grunt to try and stop a buck that is moving through your shooting lanes, or to bring one in a little closer so that you can get a shot.

Rattling: Rattling is used when you are trying to reproduce the sound of bucks fighting. You can buy rattle bags or use an old set of horns to reproduce this sound. Buck fights heat up during times of the rut. Bucks often fight over a hot estrus doe or battle with each other over their home turf. When a hunter uses a rattle call it can bring in other deer in the area. Bucks will sometimes respond to it out of plain curiosity or dominance.

Deer decoys: Deer decoys are fake plastic deer that are often very lifelike. When used, other deer in the area tend to focus on the fake deer instead of the hunter. When combined with the scent of a doe in heat, the deer decoy is a very useful tool in landing the dominant buck.

Electronic calls: Most electronic calls come standard with all common deer sounds. The only problem with these are that they are outlawed in some areas. so be sure to check your local regulations.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-20-2008 @ 8:53PM

John said...

I am just curious as to why the title and the content of the article are about BUCKS (presumably whitetail deer bucks) yet the photo that accompanies the article is of a BULL elk, and not even one that is indiginous to the United States (which would be Rocky Mountain Elk, Roosevelt Elk, Tule elk, etc). This photo seems to be of a Red Stag, which is a European animal.

10-24-2008 @ 8:37AM

philip sigmon said...

show me the white tail deer dominate buck lure that work in north carolina and gear alexander county. hunter

10-27-2008 @ 9:29AM

ny hunter said...

Providing mis-information and distortion of any hunting activity by ant gun and hunter groups may be the reason. In doing so, these folks then become anti conservationists as the data of the various wildlife management agencies, both state and federal, all show. Promoting good sport with proper education, which includes identification af game animals in the field by huntersis important. In providing the wrong identifying picture of the species being discussed in the article, the "ANTI'S" once again confuse the hearts and minds af the public with distorted journalism. ny hunter

10-24-2008 @ 8:36AM

big buck are hard to take in north carolina help.

10-26-2008 @ 9:07AM

Steve said...

HEY THERE PHIL, YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HEARD OF THIS LITTLE TRICK, " IVE USED IT COUNTLESS TIMES { MAINLY DURING THE PRE - RUT } GO TO YOURE LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND GET SOME { PURE VANILLA EXSTRACT }...NOT IMMITATION { PURE }, DEPENDING HOW YOURE HUNTING //TREESTAND OR GROUND IT WON'T REALLY MATTER ---- USE IT JUST LIKE YOU WOULD A DRAG, PICK OUT YOURE CLEAR SHOOTING LANE, AND WHAT EVER IS LEFT IN THE BOTTLE REACH UP AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AND LET THAT VANILLA RUN DOWN THE TREE..... IAM TELLEN YAHH YOU WILL GET DEER COMING IN { THE VERY SWEET SMELL OF THAT EXTRACT ETC..... WELL YOU WILL HARVEST YOURE BUCK........NOW IAM NOT BLOWEN SMOKE UP YOURE ASS...... MY FAMILY HAS BEEN USING THAT LITTLE SECRET NOW 3 GENERATIONS....HORNS ON THE WALL, MEAT IN THE FREEZER EACH AND EVERY YEAR. INFACT I HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT MINE { 2 - 4 OZ. BOTTLES } LEAVING TONIGHT TO HUNT TOMMAROW. ~~~BEST OF LUCK TO YAHH PHIL~~~....

10-26-2008 @ 8:35AM

STEVE said...

"HEY JOHN, LOL.... I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT TOOK NOTICE TO THAT ALSO, I LIVE IN WHITETAIL COUNTRY, GIVE ME SUM POINTERS THAT I DONT ALREADY NO...... { ON WHITETAILS} " NOT BULLWINKLE THERE.........

10-29-2008 @ 2:08PM

Beginner 101 said...

As a beginner in North Carolina, I have seen more deer than I ever though possible. I figured 1 deer every 10 times I go, but I have seen 2 to 4 every time (mostly doe). The only problem is that they have not been in my shooting lane, except one. I was unfortunately screwed by the A**hole at Dick's who set up my bow and arrows. My arrows were too short and the broadhead hit the front of my bow, my field tips cleared the bow. I guess as a beginner, I will learn many of these lessons the hardway! Here are a few questions for you guys: Since the bucks are sparse, should I target the does? What is the best way to get them in my shooting lane? I have a 200 lb feeder with a solar timer, but they dont seem to be interested in corn? I will try the vanilla trick. Basically, I have 1.5 weeks left of bow and really would like to get a kill. When rifle season hits, I know I will get my limit.

10-29-2008 @ 5:14PM

mike said...

You want hunting advice try Bow Hunting Magazine or American
Hunter Magazine these will give you a well rounded idea of tactics .

10-29-2008 @ 5:20PM

I did like the Vanilla idea .

11-06-2008 @ 11:35AM

shane said...

You should also try sprinkling jello powder on your feeder corn, we do it every year, works kinda like the vanilla trick, also before theseason begins go to your local feed store and buy stock salt.. dig a few holes about 6-8 inches deep and pour in the salt add a little water andcover with dirt, sprinkle a little salt on top and add a little water deer love it as it seem s to be a natural mineral spot..

11-10-2008 @ 10:44AM

Ron said...

If have bagged a lot of big deer in my 45 yrs. of hunting, and you can take all those expensive things and throw them in the garbage can. There is ONLY two things you need to bag that buck and they are go out and look over the area your going to hunt and see the way the deer move by trails and feeding and the most important is COVER YOUR SCENT 100%, and you will get that deer every time.

11-10-2008 @ 11:19AM

If you want to bag that deer buy stalking two ways is easy to do. When you move threw the woods walk with a step where our leg comes up almost as high as your waist then pause a split second, then place your foot down. Us old time deer hunters call this the Chicken step, little pratice you can do it for hours with out a problem, a deer is used to hearing animals moving threw the woods, other animals make noise all the time, if the deer see,s a movement that is not making any ,or very little noise the deers scences are alarmed and deers alarm will go off and will run or stay a distance away. Noise is ok when walking the chicken walk , its a natural movement that the deer reconize all the time and will look at you then go about its bussiness like nothing is wrong. The second thing is descent your cloths and body 100% , and you will be able to walk with or close to a heard or single deer with no problem, untile you can take your shot with a bow or rifle.

11-10-2008 @ 11:36AM

A sure fire way to descent your cloths and blend in is really cheap way, soak your hunting cloths in botteled water in a bucket, then hang them on the line or outside some where in the chill weather, the cloths will dry right up to a certain point where where they have a outdoor musty order about them. Soon as you bring them in the house it will perminate the whole room fast. Don,t use any cleaners on the cloths only bottle water.On a damp wind day for drying is good also. The cost $5.00 to $8.00 for bottle water. Wash your self with the bottle water the morning before the hunt also, cargle with salt water in your mouth not mouth wash, a deer can pick up that scent from many yards off, you don,t have to spend a ton of money to bag that big buck. If you use some of my small tips of my years of bagging some big deer you will be a great hunter, and always MAKE the first shot count, if in doubt wait for the right shot. Good Hunting