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Blacktail Rattling Tips

The black-tailed deer is only found in the United States along the West Coast, from Mexico to Canada, along a strip between the Pacific coast and the first line of mountains. It is considered the wariest of all North American deer species, and the most difficult to hunt. One method that sometimes works is rattling deer antlers together to simulate a mating contest during rutting season.

Scout
- Habitats are extremely varied for black-tailed deer, and herd habits vary with changing habitats. Rutting seasons even vary between herds. It behooves the hunter to spend some time prior to the season to see the ratio of bucks to does, when the velvet comes off the antlers and where the herds are hanging out. Fewer doe sightings will increase hunter success with rattling, because the competition to mate is stronger. If velvet is still clinging to the antlers, you haven't reached high rut yet. Look for heavily traveled trail intersections and pre-identify stands that are downwind -- based on prevailing winds -- of the intersection.
Antlers, Stick and Grunt
- Get a deer grunt to accompany your antlers. These devices give a convincing simulation of a buck's challenge grunts. Have a heavy stick on hand. In addition to rattling the antlers, lightly at first, scrape the stick along a tree trunk to simulate a buck rubbing his horns, and give the ground a few thumps with the stick to simulate stamping. Grunt a time or two, then sit still and wait for a buck to meet your challenges. Wait 15 to 20 minutes between rattling.
Get Wet
- Experienced blacktail hunters will tell you that bucks move more confidently in the rain. Rain tamps down wind-borne scents and masks noises that hunters invariably make that sound unnatural to deer. The ground is wet, and your movement to a stand is quieter. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that sheds the rain to keep your vision clear, and a lightweight rain suit. You will still get wet in places, so avoid hunting in the rain if the temperature is low enough to tempt hypothermia.
Brush Rattling
- Blacktail bucks have keen eyesight. If you are rattling in the open, and one sees an unnatural movement from afar, he is going to give you a wide berth. Find a stand along the game trails where the brush is thick and there is only one good line of observation to your stand -- the one you are shooting through. If your rattling brings the buck in from a different direction, you will hear him before he sees you.

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