How Often Should You Grunt While Deer Hunting?

Author: Jacob Smith
Last Update:

The language of the whitetail is broad. Deer use this vocal repertoire to mate, communicate, and assert dominance. It consists of grunts, wheezes, bleats, and other noises. The grunt has shown to be particularly successful in luring large game into your stand during the rut. And to improve their chances of success, hunters are learning to imitate this distinctive vocalization.

How often should you grunt while deer hunting? Limited and strategic use of grunting is recommended, with a frequency of approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. While the technique of “blind calling” can be successful, it is advisable to employ it with caution and discretion, as you cannot predict the presence of deer in the vicinity. The most optimal time to use grunt calls is when a buck has been visually detected.

How often should you grunt while deer hunting?

A grunt call is a fantastic approach to draw mature bucks’ attention. Only sometimes, once every 15 to 20 minutes, should you grunt.

The breeding season in the fall is a fantastic time to use your buck grunt call. Bucks are on the prowl during the height of the rut, fighting among themselves, rubbing trees, and getting into scrapes.

They are quick to approach does and respond to calls from bucks who want to dispute their authority. Bucks are on high alert at this moment and are prepared to reply, so this is probably the best time to employ your grunt call.

A thrilling technique to complete a tag and hang a trophy on the wall is to make the appropriate sound at the appropriate time.

When a deer is too far away to hear your grunt call, you can wheeze at it with your Rut Roar Grunt Call. Unlike a grunt, this sound reverberates far farther.

Wait a few seconds after capturing the buck’s attention before bleating or grunting to draw him in again. Continue grunting a little louder; you might even want to try utilizing rattling horns.

Most of the time, a buck will continue on his route after stopping and staring, so make your grunts more intense. It can’t hurt to blow half a dozen moderately loud grunts every 20 to 30 minutes in places in early to mid-October.

When archery hunting in a draw or on a ridge where deer migrate between bedding and eating locations, do this at all times. Additionally, you should groan sometimes while standing close to a sleeping place. A deer can slink over to investigate in response to your calls.

The frequency with which you should blindly employ a grunt call depends on the time of year, just like a lot of things with deer.

Some bucks may grunt and scan the area for does that are approaching estrus during the pre-rut, scaring off any immature bucks in the process. Your grunt does not transform in volume during this time.

The Science Behind Grunting in Hunting

Grunting is a natural vocalization used by many species of big game animals, including deer, to communicate with each other. By mimicking the sounds of these animals, hunters can attract them to their location, allowing for a better shot opportunity. This technique has been used for centuries, and has been proven to be an effective way to increase the chances of a successful hunt.

The frequency of the grunt is important in hunting, as it can affect the response of the animal. Lower frequency grunts, such as doe bleats, are used to attract bucks, while higher frequency grunts, such as fawn distress calls, can be used to attract does. Understanding the different grunts and the frequency at which they should be used can greatly improve a hunter’s chances of success.

How Grunting Frequency Can Improve Your Hunt

Grunting frequency can be used to improve your hunt in several ways:

  1. Attracting Game: By using the correct grunting frequency, hunters can attract game to their location, giving them a better shot opportunity.
  2. Masking Sounds: Grunting can also be used to mask other sounds, such as movement or rustling, that may scare away game.
  3. Establishing Dominance: Grunting can also be used to establish dominance over other hunters in the area. By using the correct grunting frequency, hunters can show game that they are in control, allowing them to get closer for a better shot.

Tips for Successful Grunting in Hunting

Practice: As with any hunting technique, practicing your grunting skills can greatly improve your success. Try practicing at home or in a safe area before taking to the field.

Experiment: Different frequencies may work better in different areas, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different grunts to see what works best for you.

Patience: Grunting is a waiting game, so be patient and wait for the right opportunity to use it.

Respect Wildlife: Remember to always respect wildlife and use grunting only as a hunting tool, not to harass or harm animals.

When should I start grunting for bucks?

Bucks are on the prowl during peak rut, fighting among themselves, rubbing trees, and getting into scrapes. They are quick to approach does and respond to calls from bucks who want to dispute their authority. Bucks are on high alert at this moment and are prepared to reply, so this is probably the best time to employ your grunt call.

How far can deer hear a grunt call?

According to their research, deer’s single, brief grunts have a high pitch, are somewhat intense, and are loud enough for other animals to hear from 50 to 100 yards away. The “low grunt” is more guttural than the “contact grunt,” yet both sound similar.

Does grunting scare deer?

Deer occasionally bleat or grunt in order to signal when they start to leave their beds. Using a deep buck grunt prior to rut will typically scare any does away because they are starting to be bothered by the bucks, but occasionally bucks will come to investigate the intrusion.

When should you call for deer?

Regardless of how you divide up deer season, I would focus on the pre-rut from late October to early November. Your calls may start to become more frequent at this point. Grunts will be effective at calling and luring deer, especially bucks. A grunt call can be used to move them the final few yards into bow range.

Conclusion

Grunting frequency is an important aspect of hunting that can greatly improve your chances of success. By understanding the science behind grunting, using it to attract game, mask sounds, and establish dominance, and practicing and experimenting with different frequencies, hunters can become more effective in the field.

When utilizing a grunt call, you are often blindly calling to any bucks that might be nearby. During the rut, the grunt sound provokes buck curiosity and possible aggression.

As a result, you can grunt when you spot a buck that is not moving in your direction. You’ll probably experience some form of physical reaction.

FAQs

Should I grunt and rattle at the same time?

Particularly late in the pre-rut, bucks spend a lot of time in certain places. You can improve the likelihood that a buck will hear your calls and come in for a peek by rattling or grunting close by.

Should you grunt post rut?

You don’t want to overcall during the post-rut. Try making a few soft doe bleats and adding a few short, tending buck grunts to resemble a chasing buck when you haven’t seen any deer all day.

An expert in deer hunting with 10 years of experience in the field and woods. Certified as a hunter by the State of California. I created Deer Hunting Life as my personal blog to share my experience and tips on deer hunting.