Deer hunting is an intricate blend of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. One of the most effective tools in a hunter’s arsenal is the grunt call.
With 70-degree weather and less-than-ideal conditions, Matt Jennings of The Game TV was hunting big mature bucks in Illinois. Jennings decided to do a blind rattling sequence at 2:00 in the afternoon. To his surprise, his brother and cameraman, Jason Jennings, quietly whispered, “Here comes a shooter.” While the buck worked a scrape, Jennings made a soft grunt. The buck then put on what Jennings called a show of shows. While responding to his call, the buck made multiple scrapes and ripped up a smaller tree while making a rub.
With too many limbs in the way, he had to let the deer pass by without getting a shot. After going by, Jennings decided to use his grunt call and mimic the snort and wheeze of another buck. When the buck got out of sight, he grunted twice on his call. A few minutes later, the buck responded again, and Jennings was able to make the shot at a mere fifteen yards.
During our conversation, Jennings shared his success in Illinois in response to my question about whether there was a particular hunt where he could credit a grunt call as a key factor in the harvest. Although Jennings can be seen taking down remarkable bucks each season, he agrees that hunters can often make mistakes when calling. Many hunters fail to achieve success with this tool due to common mistakes. I asked Jennings to help identify and help me give hunters some advice to enhance their chances of calling in a buck.
Improper Timing
One of the most critical mistakes hunters make is using grunt calls at the wrong time. Timing is everything in deer hunting. Grunt calls are most effective during the rut when bucks actively seek does. Although deer grunt and make other vocalizations all year, choosing your vocabulary for the time of your hunt is vital. Using a grunt call too early or too late in the season can yield little results, yet Jennings says he still uses his call, but not for grunting.
“In the early season, for example, I have called in more deer using a fawn bleat, which works really well.” He recalled many times when he was younger when he would shoot several deer, using nothing other than the bleat of a younger fawn. “When calling with a bleat during the early season, I am simply letting other deer know I am over here,” says Jennings.
Familiarize yourself with the rutting phases in your area and plan your calling strategy accordingly. You don’t want to sound like a mature buck who is out seeking a hot doe in September and early October. Save your grunt calls for the rut, and you will call more deer into close range. To ensure your timing is spot on, monitor your deer activity and adjust your calling based on the rutting cycle.
When you begin seeing pre-rut activity, begin using grunts. When bucks start fighting for dominance, break out the rattling antlers and get more aggressive on your grunt call. During the peak of the rut, experiment with different calls at various times of the day to keep your calling realistic and natural to what deer want to hear.
Overcalling
Many hunters believe that more is better when it comes to calling. For many years, I was the worst at using my call too much. I often used my grunt call around my neck as a boredom breaker instead of a way to call in deer. For ten years or more, I did not go to the woods without my Hunters Specialties True Talker around my neck. My mistake was when the action slowed down. I blew my call a few times, the same sequence and volume, resulting in, more times than not, no response from deer. Overcalling can alarm deer and lead them to avoid the area. Bucks can become suspicious if they hear repeated calls without any visual confirmation.
Matt Jennings says he uses multiple models of grunt calls. “I have taken my Woodhaven Intimidator and The Woodsman because they sound totally different.” He then added that he also uses multiple sounds, whether it be a short grunt, tending grunt, or a more aggressive grunt. A few well-timed grunts can create curiosity, while excessive calling can deter deer.
Jennings says he prefers calling when deer are not visible. He agrees; he does not use his call every five minutes or any time he gets bored; he chooses his time wisely and makes bucks come looking for him. “In my best redneck explanation, I refer to a guy going to a party. If I’m looking for you and I walk in and see you in there, I’m like, ok. Yet, if the same party is happening in three other rooms, I will keep going from room to room until I find you. Creating curiosity is the game.”
Using the Wrong Type of Call
There are different types of grunt calls, including mouth-blown and electronic versions. Each has pros and cons, but hunters often choose one based on convenience rather than effectiveness. A poor-quality call or one that doesn’t mimic natural sounds can fail to attract deer.
Invest in a quality grunt call and practice with it. Familiarize yourself with how different calls sound and find one that closely resembles the grunts of local deer. I have often wondered why hunters do not spend as much time practicing the different vocals and sounds with a grunt call as they do with a turkey call in the spring.
For several weeks before hunting, I often keep one or two deer calls in the cab of my truck or within easy reach. Periodically, I use the call and try to mimic all the different sounds until they sound realistic, and I feel comfortable making that sound each time I use the call when hunting.
Ignoring Body Language
Bucks communicate with each other through body language, and hunters often overlook this aspect when calling. If a buck shows signs of disinterest, don’t give up. Jennings says that he has multiple bucks “doing their thing, acting like they never heard your calling”; once they get done chasing a doe, making a rub, checking a scrape, or whatever may have their focus, they then turn and respond to the call they heard earlier.
Watch for signs such as ear positioning, tail movements, and body posture. If a buck appears cautious, consider switching tactics rather than continuing to call. Jennings says never to call when a buck is looking at you. He says it always gives away your location, which could result in them spotting you or knowing something is up and leaving.
Lack of Patience
Finally, patience is vital in deer hunting, particularly with calling. Many hunters call a few times and then give up, believing the grunt call isn’t working. However, deer can take time to respond to calls, especially if they’re in a different area.
Be prepared to wait. After calling, stay still and silent for a while. Give deer time to investigate before moving or calling again. The same concept should be considered when calling to a buck that is in the field or is preoccupied with a doe. Jennings relates this approach to when a turkey calls to a henned-up gobbler. “Just because he walks off with a doe doesn’t mean he won’t come. Be patient; when he is done with her, he will return like when a gobbler finally breaks away from a hen.”
Using a grunt call can be an effective strategy for attracting bucks, but success requires attention to detail. By avoiding these common mistakes—timing, overcalling, using the wrong type of call, incorrect volume, neglecting wind direction, ignoring body language, failing to adapt calls, and lacking patience—you can enhance your calling technique and increase your chances of a successful hunt.
Remember, every hunting experience is a learning opportunity. You can become more adept at calling those target bucks with practice and observation.
