What you need to know to begin with deer calling

Deer hunting is a matter of knowledge, skills, and patience. The first thing to do is gather information about deer in the area you are intended to hunt.

Knowing about trails, feeding areas, sleeping, and shelter will give you an edge over your prey but that's not enough; to succeed you also will need to set a proper blind and be ready at the right time for a decisive shoot.

The problem is that deer are very intuitive and know how to evade hunters, especially in high-pressure areas, thus scouting and proper placement of your hunting spot might not be enough if deer are suspicious and just avoid your trap, so it's necessary to find a way to attract these magnificent animals towards you, and calls may be the key.

Here are some basic tips on how to start deer calling:

Choose the right time:
Deer are most vocal during the rutting season, which typically runs from late October to early December. However, they can also be called during the pre-rut (mid-September to late October) and post-rut (December to January).

Find the right location: 
Deer are most active in areas with good cover, such as woods, thickets, and

swamps. They are also more likely to be active in the morning and evening hours.

Use the right calls: 
There are several different deer calls available, each of which mimics a different deer vocalization. Some of the most common deer calls include grunt calls, doe bleats, and buck snorts.

Start with a grunt call:
Grunt calls are one of the most versatile deer calls and can be used to attract both bucks and does. Start by making a series of short, soft grunts, and then increase the volume and intensity of the grunts as you go.

Use a doe bleat call: 
Doe bleat calls are used to mimic the sound of a doe in distress. This can attract a buck that is looking for a mate or a predator that is looking for prey.

Use a buck snort call: 
Buck snort calls are used to mimic the aggressive sound of a buck defending its territory. This can attract a buck that is looking for a fight.

Be patient: 
It may take some time to learn how to call deer effectively. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.

Practice: 
The more you practice, the better you will become at calling deer. Try practicing in your backyard or on a hunting property before you go hunting.

Be safe: 
Always be aware of your surroundings and wear safety glasses when deer calling.

Here are some additional tips for experienced deer callers:

Use a variety of calls:
Don't rely on just one call. Use a variety of calls to keep the deer interested and coming.

Vary your volume: 
Don't just make the same call over and over again at the same volume. Vary your volume to keep the deer guessing.

Use a combination of calls: Try using a combination of calls to create a realistic scenario. For example, you could start with a grunt call, followed by a doe bleat call, and then a buck snort call.

Be patient:
Deer are not always going to come running to your calls. Be patient and keep calling until you get a response.

Have fun: 
Deer calling can be a lot of fun. Relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience.

At the end of the day, unless you are hunting as a survival matter, there will be always another chance the day after to succeed with your deer calls and hunting.

Article developed with the help of Bard AI