Adam from Missouri asks,
Bill, really enjoying the new videos you have going out on the youtube page. Have always enjoyed your way of presenting videos in a positive and humble method. Keep up the great work. Wanted to get your thoughts on calling methods to a buck during the rut without does. Is there any key body language messages you try to pick up from the deer before or after making a grunt or some sort of call?
Bill responds,
Topic: Calling Whitetail Bucks:
If the buck you are calling to doesn’t react to the call by stopping and looking your way, he didn’t hear it. You have to raise your volume until he hears the call.
Adam,
I don’t look for any body language cues before calling. I just see a buck that is passing out of range that is a shooter or one I want a better look at. The main thing is to get his attention.
If he doesn’t lock up and look your way, he didn’t hear it. You have to increase volume until he reacts. Sometimes that means going to a snort-wheeze, which seems to carry better through the woods some days.
Once he looks my way, I give him one more to lock in on and then I don’t make another sound until he decides what to do. If he starts coming, obviously, I don’t do anything. If he starts away slow but seeming to be still interested, I will grunt one more time.
That’s it. If you call too much at this point you will just spooking him. Good luck. (10/8/22)
