When to start rattling

[bowcrazy]

I am hunting WMU 80 in Ontario. A few weeks before bow season started I walked to within 8 yards of a ten point and a six point. I haven't seen them since and haven't found any rubs or scrapes. I know they haven't gone far as there are a number of does on the property as well as multiple food sources and an impenetrable bedding area. My question is when should I start rattling and calling. I was going to wait until the last week of October but I am not sure when bucks start sparring in this part of Ontario.

[backwoodsman]

Well Im not that far north but heres my take on it. Bucks respond to rattling all year long. Its the kind of rattling that you do that makes or breaks a hunt. Light tickling here until November 1st or so. After November 1st we get a little more aggressive. Believe it or not in our lighter hunted/rattled properties late season/late December we have better luck banging and clanging big horns. One of the biggest bucks I ever rattled in or even seen harvested was by a buddy with a bow New Years day evening several years back. I rattled and banged till I broke one of the antlers in half(plastic), it was 3 degrees at 430pm. He seen it coming on a dead run to us and he shot it. One antlered beast but the one antler scores 85 and a little change(typical). After we seen it fall two more smaller bucks appeared but were very nervous so I assume theyd had their rears beat once or twice that fall. Rattling or calling doesnt work everytime but it will work enough times to make it worth while. Real doe in heat urine and rattling/calling can be deadly too.

[bowcrazy]

Thanks for the reply. I'm gonna give it a go the next time I get out which will be the last week of October so that will be getting very close to rut time. I get excited just thinking about it!

[Tenpoint]

Thanks for the reply. I'm gonna give it a go the next time I get out which will be the last week of November so that will be getting very close to rut time. I get excited just thinking about it!

You mean the last week of October right?

Tenpoint