When I first started deer hunting, back in the 80’s, deer calls were fairly simple. Most hunters carried nothing more than a grunt call around their neck and a set of rattling antlers tucked in their belt or pack. Here in the south, we called them, “rattlin’ horns.” We didn’t care that they were “technically called antlers.” To us, they were rattlin’ horns. And when the time was right, they were the perfect tool to pull a buck into bow range.
Some guys would soak them in water around mid-October for a more realistic sound when they began toting them to the woods the final week of October. Other hunters did nothing more than cut off the brow tines to prevent bustin’ your knuckles when putting the horns to use.
Regardless of what you called them, how you prepped them, or how you carried them to the woods, the rattlin’ horns were standard equipment for most every serious deer hunter. But where did this concept of calling deer come about? Let’s take a closer look at how the sound of battling bucks might have been discovered, as well as how ratting calls have changed so dramatically in recent years.
In the May 1951 issue of Outdoor Life, you’ll find the article, Why Not Try to Rattle Up a Buck? Author, Hart Stillwell, writes of ratting being a common practice of most every deer hunter in south Texas back in those days. But he also speaks to the fact that beyond south Texas, rattling for deer was almost unheard of.
The article goes on to suggest that deer rattling developed its roots in Texas from way back.
Here in Texas they say it was discovered by an old-time market hunter. He was coming to town one day, his wagon loaded with deer carcasses, when a buck came barging out of the mesquite. The hunter, so the story goes, added him to the load. A short time later, another buck pranced up – and was soon in the wagon. The puzzled hunter stopped to figure things out and discovered that two carcasses were lying so their antlers clashed as the wagon jounced along the rough country road. Being nobody’s fool, the hunter nailed a piece of hardwood to the side of the wagon and hung a set of antlers so they’d tap against it. That device lured in many a pugnacious deer. Other hunters heard about his success and started to rattle in deer. Naturally, they all tried to improve the method. And “improvements” have been added ever since.
Improvements to the modern rattling devices we carry to the deer woods these days, have led to calls now offered in all shapes and sizes. Many hunters have swapped out their big, bulky rattling horns for the more compact manufactured rattling calls found on the store shelves these days. Call makers have definitely set their sights on quality of sound in a compact, easy to carry package that hunters can stash in their pack.
Below is a closer look at how far the modern day rattling calls have come.
H.S. Ruttin' Buck Rattling Bag
The Ruttin’ Buck Rattling Bag features select hardwood rods specifically chosen to replicate the sounds of antlers crashing together. It’s easy enough to use with one hand, when you find yourself in a pinch, thanks to its rubberized netting section for extra grip. It’s built with an adjustable lanyard and silencer strap for easy, quiet transport.
Price – $9.99
H.S. Rack Jack
The H.S. Rack Jack is easily the most unique option on our list of calls with a cylindrical injection molded design and rod-type ram with cylindrical rings to produce the sound of a two bucks fighting. The 2 pieces snap together for a quiet carry in your pocket or pack.
Price – $29.99
H.S. Rival Rattling Device
Another innovative rattling call from the H.S. crew is the all-new Rival Rattle Devic . Delivering realistic rattling action in a compact call that fits easily in your pack, or pants pocket. The call mimics the soft and subtle clashing sounds of two bucks fighting, but can also produce the loud grinding sounds of an aggressive buck fight. The call is built with strategically formulated resins to produce a natural sound.
Price – $24.99
Primos Fightin' Horns
If you want the sound and feel of real deer antlers, without the worry of deterioration in sound quality, check out the Fightin’ Horns from Primos. They’re made with a high-tech polymer to deliver the same consistency and structure as real antlers. You’ll find 14 contact points to closely reproduce the sounds of bucks fighting, plus the extended handle design giving hunters room to rattle without hurting their hands in the process.
Price – $29.99
Primos Big Bucks Rattling Bag
The Primos Big Bucks Rattling Bag has been around a long time. This is the one I’ve carried to the woods for decades. It produces quality fighting sounds in a convenient compact size for a super easy carry. You can even increase the volume of the sound the bag makes by removing one or more of the Power Tines for more calling action. It’s housed in a camo net bag that’s flexible and 100% waterproof.
Price – $16.99
Flextone Battle Bag Plus
The Flextone Battle Bag Plus features durable polymer sticks inside a unique rubber bag design that produces very realistic buck fighting sounds with plenty of volume. You’ll find the bag to have extra-large ventilated holes that create clear sounds without being muffled, like you often find with cloth-style bags. It has an extendable cord allowing you to hang it around your neck, or from a hanger in the tree, for easy access.
Price – $18.99
Flextone Battle Bones
The Flextone Battle Bones were designed to produce mature buck fighting sounds. They are a bigger design, but nest together for an easy carry strapped to your pack. You essentially have 2 full racks to clash together for double the volume to reach further on the properties you’re hunting. The antlers feature Antler Mass Technology, an innovative mold resembling the bone marrow found in antlers for an extra does of authenticity. The unique hex grip and offset handles make using the racks simple, adding control for better sounds and greater protection/comfort for long-term use.
Price – $24.99
Knight & Hale Pack Rack
Knight & Hale Game Calls are a thing of the past, but if you can find one of these slick little rattling calls, you better snatch it up. It sounds very realistic and is super easy to carry to the woods. It’s made from high-density plastic that you can easily twist and grind back and forth to generate realistic fighting sounds that bucks can’t resist. It’s got plenty of volume to cut through the wind and features a slick design for a silent carry.
Price – $19.99
The gear we carry to the woods each season has continued to evolve over the years. Rattling calls are no different. So whether you prefer the tradition of carrying a real set of antlers, or a more compact call design to get the job done, there are plenty of options out there to meet the needs of any hunter who plans to pick a fight with a buck this season.
