Pre-Rut calling

[gobears16]

I have a hunt coming up the first week of November in Colorado. I wanted to see if it would be worth it to try calling, rattling and using a grunt tube. Do mule deer react to either? One more than the other? Mostly going to be hunting big aspen/ save basins and thought I might be able to spot movement with calling a little here and there.

Has anybody in Colorado seen any rutting activity? Seems there hasn't been to much talk about bucks killed in Colorado. Hopefully there are a few decent bucks left in the state.

Thank you for the help!!

 

[bonepicker]

I can't say whether calling works or not since I have never tried it. I have almost never heard mule deer grunting or calling during the rut. I have heard the clatter of antlers from time to time and have seen some bucks fighting but I have no idea whether it would bring any bucks to you. My thoughts, for what they are worth, is to use any snow you have to your advantage, you can track deer and see if you can locate some bucks. Where the does are the bucks will be nearby. If you don't have snow, find a vantage point and glass for any deer. If you find some, look at the edges of the cover for the bigger bucks following the herd. Don't be discouraged if you only see a few forkies or 3 points with the group, the smart bucks will often be within sight of the herd but not always in the open. Obviously though, alot will depend on the area you hunt, that's how I would approach a rut hunt here, but your area in Colorado could be much different. Good luck and let us know how it goes! (and if you have any success with calls and rattling)

 

[WhackNPack]

As far as rut activity my buck was fairly rutted up. He was running with a buck the night before season but was soon alone after that. His neck measured 28 inches just behind the ear so he was swelled up pretty good (might have been a reaction from having his eye poked out earlier). After I shot my buck I sat in a clearing a rattled just to experiment. A small group of deer came in and only the does reacted to the rattling. They came in to check it out more than the bucks.... this was colorado second season

 

[littlebighorn]

Not sure where in Colorado you are hunting but a few years back I had a third season tag and the rut was. It got better every day. My buck was in full rut on the 6th of November when I shot him.
I don't know any western hunter that uses rattling/grunting to attract deer, although it may work some. The previous advice about looking for does is spot on in my opinion. Regardless of weather the deer will start to move toward the lower country, so don't overlook the P/J country to find a big old rutting buck. That is where I found mine. If you find does, especially during mid day, often a big old buck will be holed up in the trees near to them, waiting until later in the day to show himself. So don't drive on without glassing carefully around the edges. Take full advantage of early mornings and late evenings because that is when the bucks will show themselves.
Best of luck

 

[Robiland]

I have used grunt tubes and rattles. I have seen it work great a few times and absolutely nothing on others. I have heard muleys make noises sometimes, but not alot. IT doesnt hurt to try. But a few times, I have had bucks come running to me. Other times, they look at my direction and keep on walking.

 

[mmwb]

I've never hunted this close to the rut. Prothero, in Mule Deer Quest, posits that it will tend to pull in younger bucks of any, unless you happen to use it in the buck's core area when he is there. He posits then that the buck will likely come at you like a freight train. The trick is to find and sneak into the core area undetected. Let us know how you do.