Back in the late 1980s, I was wandering the aisles of the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh, NC, when I came across a video I’ll never forget. It was a VHS tape called “November Madness” produced by Noel Feather and Dan Fitzgerald. The booth had an old TV/VHS combo playing this grainy footage with terrible audio—but none of that mattered. On the screen, those two men were “rattling” big bucks right into bow range.
November Madness – Calling in Whitetails
I stood there glued to it, watching Fitzgerald put arrows into big bucks as they came charging in, looking for a fight. As a teenage deer hunter from Eastern North Carolina, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I bought that VHS on the spot and wore it out at home, watching it over and over and dreaming that one day I might get to experience what those two men were doing on that screen.
For me, the late ’80s and early ’90s were the absolute pinnacle of whitetail deer hunting in America. The sport was exploding in popularity, and suddenly there were brand-name camo patterns, grunt calls, scent attractants, and climbing treestands everywhere. And I’ll be honest—I was hooked on every bit of it.
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Make Your Own
I took a hacksaw to the first decent buck I killed, made my first set of rattling antlers, and headed out to call up a buck just like the guys on that video. For several years, I tried to rattle in a buck…and I just couldn’t make it work!
Little did I know that less than ten years later, I’d be hunting regularly with some of the best in the business. Guys like Bob Robb, Gary Roberson, and “Mr. Whitetail” himself, Larry Weishuhn—true legends—ended up putting me on the fast track. It felt like learning how to pitch from Nolan Ryan.
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few things that can help you be more successful when rattling in bucks. Here are some of the big ones:
Safety First
Before we get started, keep in mind that safety is your number one priority – no exceptions! Never rattle on public land, period! Stick to private land and communicate your plans with anyone who might be in the area. Think about it, you’re out there doing your best to sound like a buck fight while holding a set of antlers in your hands. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
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This article is called November Madness for a reason—timing truly is everything when it comes to rattling. Whitetail bucks fight to establish dominance and secure breeding rights, and that instinct is supercharged by rising testosterone levels. As fall settles in, their hormones spike, making them more aggressive, territorial, and eager to compete. That surge fuels everything from light sparring to full-on brawls, helping sort out the pecking order before the first does come into estrus and the rut hits full swing. It is not uncommon for similarly sized bucks to become “locked up” while fighting. This results in broken antlers and even death when they can’t separate, leaving them susceptible to predators or starvation.
Timing
Yes, you can rattle in bucks in October, December, or even January—I’ve done it. But for most of the country, early November is hands-down your best shot.
Rattle where the bucks are concentrated. Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. You won’t pull in many bucks in a spot where the ratio is ten does for every one buck. Think about it—would you leave a room full of ladies to go fight a couple of strangers in the parking lot? Areas with a more balanced buck-to-doe ratio are naturally better. More bucks mean more ears to hear your rattling, more competition in general, and more natural fighting activity in the area.
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Location
Focus on the edges of bedding areas. Normally, those are sanctuaries—but rattling changes the rules. You’re hunting during daylight, and if bucks aren’t chasing does, they’re likely bedded. Rattling can work all day, but early to mid-morning has consistently been my favorite time. Slip in with the wind in your face, find good cover with a good downwind view, and settle in. Mature bucks often try to circle downwind to confirm what they’re hearing before they commit.
I prefer tight setups with limited visibility. It brings them in close, amps up the excitement, and gives you a front-row seat to some intense encounters. Nothing beats staring down a big buck at ten steps, wondering what he’s going to do next. Remember—they’re coming in expecting a fight. I only know one person who’s been gored, and he wasn’t even rattling, but still… it can happen.
Technique
Rattling solo is fun, but rattling as a team is far more effective. One person handles the antlers while the other stays ready with the bow or gun. When multiple bucks come charging in—and it happens fast—you’ll be glad you can focus on the shot. While they’re locked onto the sound, the shooter can make small adjustments without being spotted.
When rattling, make noise! Real noise! It goes against every cautious deer-hunter instinct, but remember you’re imitating two 200-pound bucks battling it out. Start light in case a buck is already close, but within minutes, it’s time to get after it. If you’re not sweating—or bleeding—you’re probably not rattling hard enough.
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Sound Authentic
Sound authentic. Bucks don’t crash their racks like bighorn sheep; they lock up and push, creating that grinding, rattling sound. Get aggressive! Break limbs, stomp the ground, throw in grunts, bleats, and snort-wheezes—those vocalizations are common in real fights. You’ll feel silly at first, but that disappears fast when your first buck comes charging in.
When It All Comes Together
Just like a high school fight behind the bleachers, some bucks will sneak in to watch from a safe distance, while more aggressive bucks may charge in ready to throw down. Don’t stop rattling when you see one coming. Keep going—and don’t hesitate to pause and show them the antlers if they hang up. When they get close, point the antlers right at them and move them side to side like they’re the real thing. It buys precious seconds, and it absolutely mesmerizes some bucks. They can’t believe they’re not watching an actual fight.
But that won’t last long. As soon as they realize something’s off, they snap back to reality, and they’re gone!
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November Madness – Final Thoughts
Go into every rattling session with an open mind. You’ll fail, you’ll learn, and you’ll get better. Make multiple stands, cover ground, and believe that every setup could produce a buck. Once you rattle in your first one, everything clicks—and you’ll be hooked for life.
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