Imagine, having an enraged whitetail running right at you, neck swollen with rutting rage, looking for a fight? It's not that hard to imagine if you have ever tried rattling and calling during the rut for whitetails.

Luckily, rattling and calling is not that hard to master and it works extremely well during the pre, post and main rut wherever whitetails are found. Calling and rattling can be done separately, but for the most realistic illusion are generally done together.

Rattling
Rattling is a relatively new deer hunting technique - becoming widely recognized less than 40 years ago. Originally, it was done with shed antlers, (which still can be used), but today is also practiced with synthetic antlers (which for safety are also available in hunter orange), rattling bags or small hand rattles that simulate two bucks fighting.

While there are as many ways to rattle as there are real deer fighting in the woods - here is a basic method that will get you started.

• Rattle for 45-60 seconds. Start by "tickling the tines" - this is done by lightly clicking the tips of the antlers together to simulate two bucks beginning to spar or softly roll the rattling bag in your hands. Then progress in intensity and volume by clashing and grinding the antlers together. At the end of the sequence, break apart sharply to simulate the two bucks breaking contact.
• Wait 30-45 seconds, ready for a shot as deer often come charging in at the initial sounds.
• Rattle for 45 seconds utilizing the same style, just in an abbreviated form.
• Wait five minutes, ready for an approaching deer.
• Rattle for 45 seconds using the same technique as the last sequence.
• Wait 30 minutes, at the ready, scanning the woods for moving deer.
• If no deer appear, repeat the entire sequence.

Calling
Both bucks and does can be called with a variety of calls. During the rut, especially in combination with a rattling sequence, buck grunts can be used with good success. There are also various inflections of the buck grunt, which can represent aggressive or timid behavior by either an older or younger deer, as well as a tending grunt that is often used when a buck is closely following a doe in heat.

	Additional Information:  Read more articles:  - How to Call Monster Bucks  - Keep Grunting Simple  - Whitetail Done Right  Gear information:  - Are You Hearing All That's...  - Got Everything You Need?  Get the Gear:  - Big Game Calls

It should also be noted that a single buck grunt is a very handy tool for a stopping a rapidly approaching buck for a perfect shot.

In addition to a buck grunt, doe and fawn bleats works well to attract bucks in the rut, or does all season long.

Another call that attracts mainly does is the fawn-in-distress call. If you are looking to call in a doe, this call is hard to beat and if used during the rut, it may bring a buck in, hot on her heels.

While describing the many vocalizations in words is a difficult proposition, there are many recordings, electronic calls and videos that provide a hunter with good reference material.

During specific times of the year, namely the rut, calling deer is a very effective way of bringing a buck within range. Calling and rattling are easy techniques to master, and can be used by a still-hunter, in a ground blind or treestand by rifle, muzzleloader and bowhunters alike.

While calling and rattling is not the "end-all" system for deer hunters, it is a good technique that can be added to a deer hunter's repertoire for better success.