By Preston Pittman

Just how do I call a deer? When, how much, how loud, these are just a few questions that everyone asks. First let me give you some real situations and ask you about your deer. What time of year is it? I ask you this question because it will determine how aggressive I will call. During the early parts of season I do not get real aggressive with my calling, but I still call. Examples, I'm hunting over a food source, let's say Persimmons. I see deer at 60 yards not heading my way, say hello.

Grunt once or twice, not with a lot of emotion. Let's say no reaction. I say HEY HOW YA DOING. Two to four grunts a little louder but not too close together. All animals communicate with rhythm and emotion, even us. If I am not excited and see a friend I say hi how are you doing? If I am not exciting and see a friend I say hi how are you doing? If I am really trying to get something across to someone I put a lot more emotion into what I'm saying. I probably will get a little louder and faster with my speech. If I'm mad or really excited I get a lot louder, faster, and more demanding. So time of year is a factor. Another factor is Buck to Doe ratio. If I was a buck that had 10 to 20 potential girlfriends for me and all of my buddies, and don't you think they already know this? I would already know that come breeding season I would not have to work that hard for one, nor would I have to fight that much.

Hunting pressure is also a factor, if every time I turned around another human was disturbing me, then I would take care of business at night. Also in the Deep South I firmly believe that COLD weather is a factor. What I mean is THE RUT. Deer do move better when it's cold weather, at least during DAY LIGHT hours at that magic time. When in doubt early season smaller amounts and softer grunting is what I do. Don't expect to see deer coming to you at a run. Use more patience and your scouting ability to be in the right place at the right time. Now let's talk about my favorite time of year to call, that's grunting and rattling. The Rut, and the few days before. This is the time of year I really look forward to; this is the time of year things can really turn around. This is also the time of year, if conditions are right; I spend all day in the woods.

This is also when I have a tendency to get more aggressive with my calling, more often, and louder with my calling. Now don't think that just because you see a buck chasing a doe that you will be able to call him in. Example time, a doe comes by me with a buck chasing, what do I do? This is the time to get aggressive if he does not stop after a few grunts. Try grunting loud and mixing in some doe bleats. I have even thrown in some rattling real quick. hat means everything has to be at arms reach, and you have to react quickly.

Will this work? Sometimes, but what do you have to lose? The perfect situation is to have a doe come through, with or without a buck, and then later another buck comes down the same trail. In this situation start out with smaller amounts of calling, grunting and or bleating. If he is coming your way, STOP CALLING. Only call more and more aggressive if he is leaving. Another good idea is to throw your calling. Point your tube behind or to one side of you, and down. Let me end this with a simple statement, think of yourself, how you talk, how you would react to something and apply it in the woods.

Remember react to THAT situation how he dictates it to you, not what you want to do. You are in HIS HOME.

Good Luck and Safe Hunting Preston Pittman