Deer hunting is a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by many hunters around the world. One of the tools that hunters use to attract deer is a deer call. Deer calls mimic the sounds of deer and can be an effective way to draw them closer. However, knowing when to use deer calls is crucial for a successful hunting experience.
Early Morning
Early morning is a prime time for using deer calls. During this time, deer are usually more active and responsive to calls. By imitating the sounds of a deer in distress or a buck grunting, you can pique their curiosity and increase your chances of a successful hunt. It is essential to position yourself downwind from the area where you expect the deer to approach, ensuring that they don’t detect your scent.
Rutting Season
Rutting season is the mating season for deer and is one of the best times to use deer calls. Bucks are more vocal during this time as they seek to attract does and assert dominance over other males. By using a buck grunt or doe bleat call, you can simulate the natural sounds of deer communication, attracting bucks in search of potential mates. Setting up near known breeding areas or scrapes can increase your chances of success.
Afternoons
Deer are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Afternoons can be an opportune time to use a deer call, especially if you haven’t had any luck in the morning. During the afternoon, deer may be more relaxed and less cautious, making them more likely to respond to calls. Using a fawn distress call can effectively lure in does, as they are nurturing animals and may investigate the sound thinking it’s a fawn in need of assistance.
Pre-Rut
The pre-rut period, which occurs before the peak of the rutting season, is another suitable time to use deer calls. Bucks start to establish their dominance during this time and mark their territory by creating scrapes and rubbing their antlers on trees. Using a mock scrape and a grunt call can imitate the sounds and scents that bucks make when asserting their dominance, attracting other bucks to investigate and potentially engage in territorial disputes.
Post-Rut
The post-rut period follows the peak of the rutting season. Bucks are physically exhausted from the intense breeding activities, making them more susceptible to answering calls that mimic the sounds of a younger rival buck or a curious doe. Bucks may still be looking for late estrus does and using a doe bleat or estrus bleat call can help you capitalize on their weakened state and increase your chances of a successful hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions For When To Use Deer Calls: Expert Tips For Maximum Success
How Do Deer Calls Work?
Deer calls imitate the sounds of various deer vocalizations, attracting bucks during mating season.
What Are The Types Of Deer Calls?
There are grunt calls, bleat calls, and rattling calls that mimic different deer sounds.
When Is The Best Time To Use Deer Calls?
Morning and evening are the prime times to use deer calls as deer are most active during these periods.
What Is The Purpose Of Using Deer Calls?
Using deer calls helps hunters attract deer to their locations and improves their chances of a successful hunt.
Conclusion
Knowing when to use deer calls is crucial for any deer hunter. Early mornings, rutting season, afternoons, pre-rut, and post-rut are all opportune times to utilize deer calls effectively. By understanding the behavior and communication patterns of deer, you can maximize your chances of success while enjoying the thrill of the hunt.