Is calling better in the morning or the evening? The best data comes from rattling research, plus GPS studies showing when bucks are on their feet. This page sums up what those studies found and what they don't settle. Sources are at the end.
When bucks move
- Dawn and dusk. NDA says nearly every study finds bucks are most active at sunrise and sunset, and most active overall during the breeding season.
- Even in the rut. A University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin DNR study of 188 GPS-collared bucks found daily peaks around dawn and dusk through all six weeks studied, Oct 15 to Dec 1. In the two peak weeks, bucks 3.5 and older moved closer to nocturnal, while still peaking at dawn and dusk.
- Weather. NDA reports studies from Texas to Maryland found weather had little or no influence on mature buck movement.
What the calling research found
Dr. Mickey Hellickson's rattling study on a wildlife refuge logged 111 buck responses to 171 sequences:
| Time of day | Bucks responding |
|---|---|
| Morning (7:30 to 10:30 a.m.) | 60 |
| Afternoon | 33 |
| Midday | 18 |
By rut phase, 83 percent of pre-rut responses came in the morning. During the peak and post-rut, morning and afternoon were closer to even. Hellickson's summary: rattling can work all day, but mornings and afternoons are best. He also used a grunt call between rattling sequences to pull bucks closer or stop them.
What it doesn't settle: this is a rattling study on one refuge. We didn't find a published study that measures grunt-call response by time of day, so treat the pattern as a guide, not a rule.
Planning a morning sit
- Pre-rut mornings were the standout in Hellickson's data.
- Stay late. Hellickson's morning window ran to 10:30 a.m., well after first light.
- Air moves differently. Morning and evening air moves differently on slopes. See thermals explained.
Planning an evening sit
- Peak and post-rut afternoons drew close to as many responses as mornings in Hellickson's study.
- Dusk is still a movement peak, per the Wisconsin study, all through the rut.
What to call with
My call is the Illusion Extinguisher, an adjustable 10-in-1 grunt tube. For how and how often to call, see calling during the rut, grunt calls, budget vs premium, rattling for whitetails and doe bleats and can calls.
Other good options
- Watch downwind. Hellickson says bucks typically approach from downwind, so pick setups with a clear downwind view.
- Sit a while. He recommends staying at least 30 minutes after rattling for late responders.
Questions hunters ask
Is morning or evening better for calling? In Hellickson's rattling study, mornings drew the most responses overall, especially in the pre-rut. Peak and post-rut were close to even.
Is midday calling worth it? It drew the fewest responses in that study, but some bucks did respond.
Do mature bucks move in daylight in the rut? In the Wisconsin study, they still peaked at dawn and dusk, though they leaned more nocturnal in the two peak weeks.
Sources
- Georgia Outdoor News, Mickey Hellickson, "Research By Dr. Mickey Hellickson Shows When And How To Rattle Up A Buck": https://gon.com/hunting/research-when-how-rattle-buck
- Tecomate, Mickey Hellickson, "Rattling 101, Part II": https://tecomate.com/blogs/featured-articles/rattling-101-part-ii
- National Deer Association, "New Study Investigates Peak Rut Buck Movement": https://deerassociation.com/new-study-investigates-peak-rut-buck-movement/
- National Deer Association, "10 Things We Know About Mature Buck Movements": https://deerassociation.com/10-things-know-mature-buck-movements/
- Wisconsin DNR, Field Notes September 2024: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Research/articles/September2024