I was wondering if any of you have ever used / had success with using deer calls. I bought several from academy & cabelas at the end of last season when they were on clearance, and I will probably start testing them in October. Thanks in advance for the input.

I have a couple of grunt calls that I like to use for whitetail. I've had bucks come trotting in after using it. Not as aggressively as they come in to rattled antlers but much faster than a walk. I mainly use them when there are no deer in sight unless I'm trying to get one to stop for a shot.

I also have one of those "Doe in Heat" can calls. I've never had any success with it.

I've tried them all over the years, and only had consistent success with ONE. I have a Primos Buck Roar that will bring them running. I even shot a big 8, on video, that I called off of a hot doe at over 200 yds and shot at 60+-.

All calls will work some times, but only a few will work most times.

I definitely carry a grunt tube and a can call with me at all times during the season. ...I don't think they're magic by any means but they can definitely get a deers attention and either turn them or make them curious enough to come a little closer and check.

Key to me is that I do NOT call to a deer if that deer is doing what I want it to (i.e., coming closer). I don't call blind a lot but do it occasionally. And I will grunt as soft as possible to a buck that is out of range. Then gradually increase the effort until I know he hears me. I have grunted the last 2 bucks I shot into range. In one case (Earle) it turned him completely around and got him to come downhill. My Turkey-Day buck this year changed trails and circled the sound trying to get downwind (but never quite made it).

Snort wheeze, grunt and the can are the main ones I use. I snort wheeze with my mouth, and it probably brings them in the fastest if the time is right.

One day I was hunting with a buddy, who didnt believe the SW would work. We had an old bruiser buck about 200 yards away. After 2 calls at him with the snort wheeze he was 10 yards under us.

i've had reasonable success with a nice long Coors Light belch from a deer blind

60% of the time they work everytime!

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I snort wheeze with my mouth, and it probably brings them in the fastest if the time is right.

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And if the time isn't right all you see is a white flag.

Aggressive calls are just that, aggressive. And they're big time hit or miss. In my experience probably 25/75 on bringing them to you on a string vs. sending them fleeing for the next state.

Calls work great at the right time of year when the buck/doe ratio is optimal.

They suck ass everywhere/when else.

I usually fart in the stand when things are looking down