Some archery hunters claim they will grunt every 20 minutes or so while on stand, hoping to attract a buck. However, I believe that calling randomly is primarily a waste of time. It's also possible that it could only educate the already educated bucks in the area. Who's to say that a buck won't be downwind when you call? Perhaps this same buck might have walked up to you moments later?

I would suggest you always remember that a grunt call is a tool that enables you to make something happen when other tactics aren't working. For this reason, I save the call for the time when I have little to lose. In other words, if a passing buck isn't going to walk into bow range, I will attempt to make it happen.

Personality Changes
I don't believe that any buck possesses the same personality each day. Some have claimed that they have grunted to the same buck previously, but would never try again because the deer didn't respond the first time.

As you've already read, there's a variety of reasons why a buck might, or might not respond to a grunt. Perhaps a buck has other things on his mind when he ignores a grunt the first time. Something may have spooked the deer and security was the issue. Perhaps the breeding cycle had not yet reached the magic moment when you called. Who knows? I do know that a buck could ignore you one day and respond the next.

Because bucks behave somewhat consistently when the time comes to cover ground and pursue estrus does, it pays to grunt whenever you see an opportunity. I look at it this way: grunts are easy calls to master and not calls that you are likely to foil. If love is on his mind, and it often is, his personality is subject to persuasion.

MIXING IT UP

Although I firmly believe that nothing beats grunting for luring a buck into bow range, there are three additives to consider. First, consider rattling in conjunction with grunts. This tactic works best for bucks you see at a long distance, or when randomly rattling. Rattling works most effectively during the pre-rut period, but could entice a buck during the rut. For positive results, avoid rattling and grunting simultaneously. Rattle first, pause a few seconds and follow up with a couple of grunts. Keep in mind; rattling carries farther than grunts. Scent is another option. Although bucks seldom circle and come in downwind when responding to grunts, he still could circle to remain cautious. Placing scent near your stand and a few feet above ground on the downwind side might cause a buck to focus his attention on the scent instead of you. Finally, a decoy could work wonders on a passing buck at a considerable distance. Some bucks won't respond to a grunt they can barely hear, and others won't take chances if they cannot see the deer that does the grunting. But as they say, "Seeing is believing." For this reason, buck decoys often work best when coupled with grunts.

Summary
Now back to the buck mentioned at the beginning of this story. He promptly moved straight toward me, closing the distance between us to 18 yards. Nevertheless, I remained worried as "Truth Day" arrived. An arm injury the previous summer had caused me to lower my bow weight to 47 pounds. Nervously, I picked an opening and released the arrow. Upon impact, he lunged forward and went into the death run we all love to see. The nine pointer will soon hang on my living-room wall.

Make no mistake, grunting a buck into bow range should be considered a sideline strategy. You must still do everything else in the proper order--from patterning big bucks to selecting the right ambush location. Nevertheless, the grunt tube should always go with you--just in case you can turn a buck sighting into a deadly encounter.