Coastal Blacktail Rattlers - Please be careful

StickFish · 11-03-2007, 04:43 PM

Rattling seems to be catching on in the coast range - should be effective. I just want you all to be very careful out there if you are rattling, especially those of you who are not and you are putting the stalk in some obvious bucks that are fighting.

One of my last years chasing Blacktails, last evening of the season, down a steep draw, we finally catch up with two bucks fighting. Stump in the way, obvious large body on other side and horns visible. My buddy is telling me to take the shot I had put my binos away and was reaching for my rifle, but decided to take one last look through the binos cause something didn't look right. Dam good thing I did, turned out to be a hunter crouched next to a stump rattling in full camo. My buddy is telling to take the shot both of them are right there - I handed him my binos as I walked back to the truck. When he got back he decided to buy a new pair. Turns out that hunter should be glad I had bought a new pair of Fujinon Binos a couple weekends earlier - otherwise I'm pretty sure it would have changed both of our lives forever.

So whether you are rattling or not please be very careful

Maddie'sDaddy · 11-03-2007, 04:57 PM

I agree, with all the pressure in the area I hunted the last days I kinda
left the horns in the truck in a few places I would have loved to try but for fear of being a target , I did try a couple other areas but knowing where I was at and blocking the only road into where I was rattling with my truck and walking into the area made me feel a little better about it, I also wear an orange cap and vest. No luck though, Tag soup for me this year.

MD

Bull Hunter · 11-03-2007, 05:16 PM

What a great post. I didn't even think about getting shot if i was rattling, I guess I assume people have similar ethics to me and won't shoot unless they are sure. Hunter Orange is a great idea.

Smoked Salmon · 11-03-2007, 06:00 PM

Tag soup here, despite rattling away. Two varieties as well, which means I'll start seeing deer all over the place starting today.

Don Becker · 11-03-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoked Salmon

Tag soup here, despite rattling away. Two varieties as well, which means I'll start seeing deer all over the place starting today.

Gee, that's right. I did quite a bit of (unsuccessful) rattling the last two times out. of course, I wore hunter orange but this really didn't occur to me.

On the other hand, I am assuming, since it seems to work for everyone here except for me, I'm so bad at it that even another hunter would say; "Oh that, that's just that Becker guy -- he has no idea what he's doing."

Don

Spotted Owl · 11-03-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Becker

On the other hand, I am assuming, since it seems to work for everyone here except for me, I'm so bad at it that even another hunter would say; "Oh that, that's just that Becker guy -- he has no idea what he's doing."

Don

That there is funny, I was gonna say the same thing about me. Don't feel alone there Mr. Becker I can rattle just as bad as you.

Owl

RoscoeP · 11-03-2007, 08:59 PM

Here's another thought. Why not paint your rattling antlers blaze orange? A little touch up is all that would be needed between trips.

Don Becker · 11-03-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spotted Owl

That there is funny, I was gonna say the same thing about me. Don't feel alone there Mr. Becker I can rattle just as bad as you. Owl

What . . . is that a challenge ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoscoeP

Here's another thought. Why not paint your rattling antlers blaze orange? A little touch up is all that would be needed between trips.

'Knew someone here would come up with a sensible solution

Don

Smoked Salmon · 11-03-2007, 09:53 PM

I used a predator caller on one trip, had a remote and everything. I set it up with bucks fighting and waited. And waited. And waited. I guess they just aren't around much anymore. I don't hold out much hope for elk season either, unless I get some scouted before then.

Abalone · 11-04-2007, 04:29 AM

I wasn't there obviously but when you explain this story I am thinking.

" Wait a minute "

What about shot placement ? I commend you for using your Bino's but why would someone just shoot without seeing and making sure the animal was a legal Buck and not a doe or an Elk? Are hunters that hasty ?
My point is, If you are going to shoot you need to hit your target in the vitals. In order to do that you would have to at least see for sure what it was you are shooting at.

Wouldn't you ??

jimh · 11-04-2007, 06:30 AM

Yep, shot placement. How to you do that without seeing a body? Of course, maybe the hunter was wear deer camo.

In any case, there's no way I'd be out in gun season in full camo doing anything.

Limbhanger · 11-04-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoscoeP

Here's another thought. Why not paint your rattling antlers blaze orange? A little touch up is all that would be needed between trips.

That is what I would do if I was rattling during rifle season!

Weather or Knot · 11-05-2007, 09:50 AM

think about how many times you see "hunters" looking at a unit with there gun(scope or no scope) and dont even have a pair of binos! Food for thought-GREAT TOPIC!
Makes you want to wander around in the brush

.

Brandon

OR Coast Range · 11-05-2007, 10:17 AM

I rattled in a couple of hunters last year. I thought that I'd be safe because I was a couple miles in behind a gate, but 10 minutes into my set I heard noise behind me and I looked over my shoulder to see Jethro and his brother Billie Bob peeking over the ridge at me. Just one of the joys of hunting public land during the general deer season.