During intense encounters in the rut, bucks sometimes “grunt-snort,” which consists of a low, guttural grunt followed by one to four short, rapid snorts. Further, rival bucks sometimes add a third element, an expulsion of air through their nostrils, thus the “grunt-snort-wheeze.” "The grunt-snort-wheeze is the most aggressive of all the deer calls, often made by bucks just before a fight," says whitetail biologist Karl Miller. "Hunters can use it to bring in a dominant deer, but it can also scare off some bucks." While there is no doubt the snort-wheeze can produce dramatic results and bring in a big buck in the rut, it is not a call you should rely on frequently.  I much prefer to blow tending [...]

Grunting is most effective when you spot a buck first, and then go to work with your grunt tube. You should grunt at every buck, both shooters and small 4- or 6-points, that you see slipping down a ridge or ducking into cover up to 125 yards away. In my field-testing, a deer can hear your calls that far if the wind and terrain are right. The more bucks you see and call to, the more you learn from their reactions. When a buck hears your grunts, 9 times out of 10 he will stop and look your way. Sometimes he might stand there and stare, but more likely he’ll drop his head and continue on his merry way. Okay, [...]

The first 2 weeks of November are the best time to rattle or call fired-up bucks. Try: Studies show that rattling works best on cool mornings with a 10 mph wind (or less). In a big Texas study, researchers rattled in 200 bucks over a 3-year test period. They rattled in the most bucks from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Crash and grind the rattling horns hard for 20-40 seconds; in my experience, hard rattling works better than light tinkling. After rattling, lay down the horns, be still and watch. Many hunters move too much and spook bucks coming in. Important! Grunt loud and nasty—blow 5 to 10 second series of deep, gurgling grunts to mimic a rival buck tending or hunting a [...]

One year on November 3, a west wind howled to 40 mph, and Nick Pruitt and Ryan Russ had a decision to make: Do we stay home, or do we go? With the rut picking up steam and the temperature 42 degrees, the friends strapped climbing stands to their backs, grabbed their bows and headed to hot spot they’d discovered on archery-only public ground. It was a creek bottom habitat, with three wood lines that acted as separate funnels to a soybean field. The edges were blazed with fresh rubs and scrapes. The hunters chose trees about 150 yards apart, climbed up and saw deer immediately. Their stands wobbled some, but the stiff winds didn’t seem to faze the animals. [...]