Deer Communication Skills

Calling in deer at night can be tricky, as deer tend to behave differently after dark and are more cautious. Although nighttime hunting is generally restricted or prohibited in many areas, knowing when and how to use calls at night can be helpful for scouting and observing. Here’s a guide to deer calls at night, along with tips on timing, purpose, and technique.

1. Grunt Calls

When to Use: Early evening to late night, especially during the pre-rut and rut phases.

Why: Bucks use grunts at night as they roam and seek out does or challenge other bucks. Grunts are social calls, and at night they can serve as reassurance for other bucks or to attract does in estrus.

How to Use:

Start with soft contact grunts as darkness falls. Since bucks may be nearby, especially in areas where they feel secure, starting softly reduces the risk of spooking them.
If you’re using grunts to scout, vary the pitch and intensity. A loud grunt may attract more dominant bucks, while soft, frequent grunts can signal younger bucks or a buck passing through.

2. Estrus Bleat Calls

When to Use: Prime rut, ideally just after sunset or early in the night, when bucks start moving to seek does.

Why: During the rut, bucks are highly motivated by the scent and sound of does in estrus. The estrus bleat mimics the sound of a receptive doe, potentially drawing a buck from its bedding area or surrounding cover.

How to Use:

Use sparingly. Estrus bleats are effective but can make bucks wary if overused, especially in areas where calling isn’t common at night.
Try using a doe-in-estrus scent along with the call, strategically placing it downwind to catch the attention of a buck passing through.
Bleat once or twice, then pause for several minutes. Nighttime deer may approach slowly and cautiously, so patience is key.

3. Rattling Antlers

When to Use: Late evening to early night during pre-rut and peak rut.

Why: Bucks sparring or fighting over territory or a doe can pique the curiosity of other bucks, especially at night when they feel less vulnerable.

How to Use:

Start with light rattling to simulate young bucks sparring, and increase the intensity to suggest a more serious clash.
Keep the rattling session short (10-20 seconds) with pauses in between, mimicking natural sounds. Overly long or loud rattling might seem unnatural.
Rattling should be paired with grunts or snort-wheeze calls for added realism, especially when targeting more dominant bucks.

4. Snort-Wheeze Calls

When to Use: Late evening to early night, particularly during peak rut.

Why: Snort-wheeze calls are often associated with territorial dominance and aggression. At night, a dominant buck might be more likely to investigate another buck’s challenge within its territory.

How to Use:

Use sparingly, as the snort-wheeze can easily spook younger bucks or does.
Begin with a grunt or two, then follow up with a snort-wheeze if you suspect a dominant buck might be within earshot.
Try using the call in areas where you know bucks are likely bedding at night, or near feeding areas where bucks frequent after dark.

5. Fawn Bleat or Bawl

When to Use: Early in the night, particularly post-rut or during early season.

Why: Fawn bleats and bawls can attract does and, on occasion, bucks checking for late-fawning does. Bucks may also respond out of curiosity, especially if they’re familiar with a specific group of deer in the area.

How to Use:

Use soft, spaced-out bleats rather than a continuous bawl, as continuous calling can seem unnatural.
Pair the call with other social sounds, like a contact grunt, to create a scenario of multiple deer in the area.
Limit to areas where fawns are known to gather or bed down at night, as this can feel like a natural location for other deer to investigate.

Conclusion

Calling in deer at night requires a unique approach and understanding of deer behavior. By utilizing the right calls at the right times, hunters can increase their chances of success while observing deer communication. Whether for scouting, observation, or hunting, mastering nighttime calling can elevate your skills in the field.