BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

moderator · Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Posts: 6679

July 2007 Feature Article:

Tinkle up a Buck

I have been hunting in West Virginia over the last several years and during that time I have had the great pleasure of getting to know and become friends with an elderly mountain man who has killed more than his share of trophy bucks. During one of my trips to visit him on his secluded farm I arrived while he was working in his barn. As I arrived the barn doors were standing open and I was astonished to see the number of large whitetail deer racks he had tacked to the inside of them. Never in my life had I seen that many trophy racks in one place. I had to find out whatever hunting secret it was that he knew to be able to kill that many quality bucks. In our prior conversations regarding buck hunting he had never once mentioned rack size only that he had killed some heavy deer. This man hunted first and foremost for food not horns. Read more...

Please use this area to post comments or questions about this feature article.

atomikall · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 1964

Great story mod I loved it and it was also very usefull Im going to try that this year and It does sound like it would work great. Thanks for sharing that method with me I'll be sure to let you know how it works out for me.

redrider · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2535 Location: NE Kansas

I think it may work different in different regions. It's been my experience that if you sound like a small buck, that's what you will see. I used a 120" class set of antlers for years and had tons of bucks come in, but they were all mid to small sized bucks. I switched to the heaviest sounding horns I could find and had enormous results. Much bigger bucks came in and it is all I will use when rattling.
The first day I used them I had a 170" buck show up and that evening I went out and had a 190" class come in. Both bucks came in and circled directly downwind at about 50 yds. Every large buck I have rattled up will do exactly the same so you most have a strategy to get that big guy in a little closer.
I've also witnessed 4 buck fights and not a one of them was a quick and timid battle. Very fierce, all out war! Watched one that lasted over half an hour, really gets the adrenaline going :yes:

atomikall · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 1964

Sounds like it would be awesome to watch I have never witnessed one but Im sure I will one day hopefully soon.

ratrivertrapper · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 289 Location: new brunswick

"best artical I've seen to date " good stuff

Illinois_Dave · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 336 Location: St. Louis County

As we all know, nothing works 100% of the time. I enjoyed the article and will do my best to get out there and do as much "research" as I can this season. I have plenty of small antlers lying around, the big sets are mounted on the wall. :wink:

jonesy · Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Posts: 293 Location: williamstown vt

Great story, will have to give it a try :) Thanks for posting it :thumbsup1:

Spinner of Tales · Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

As we all know, nothing works 100% of the time.
Well said Dave and true!

Thank you for the comment folks, I am glad you enjoyed the article. I like to pass on things I have discovered in my travels that will help add a little more ammo to the deer hunters arsenal. The method works very well when the bucks must compete for the does. You may try it ten times before you find that one buck who is receptive but when it happens it's a thrill of a lifetime especially when its a 150 class buck.
The old man who taught me repeatedly said "tinkle NOT bang" those antlers to be successful if your going to bang them together leave them at home.

Good hunting and be safe out there.

Bumper