Quick Answer
To effectively call blacktails during the rut, hunters should use a combination of loud, aggressive grunts and softer, more subtle bleats to imitate a receptive doe. This should be accompanied by a well-placed setup with a clear escape route. Timing is crucial, as peak rut activity usually occurs in late November or early December.
Choosing the Right Calling Equipment
For blacktail deer hunting in Oregon, it’s essential to choose a calling setup that can produce both loud, aggressive grunts and softer, more subtle bleats. A mouth call, such as a Primos Hunter’s Specialties or a Knight & Hale, is ideal for this purpose. These calls allow for a range of tones and volumes, making them well-suited for the varied sounds needed to attract blacktails.
Effective Calling Techniques
During the rut, blacktails are often highly aggressive and competitive, so it’s crucial to use a loud, assertive calling sequence to imitate a dominant buck. This involves a series of 5-7 loud grunts, spaced about 2-3 seconds apart, followed by a series of softer, more subtle bleats to imitate a receptive doe. The key is to vary the tone and volume to sound like a real buck is in the area. For example, a loud grunt might be followed by a softer, more nasal bleat to sound like a buck is approaching a receptive doe.
Setting Up for Success
When setting up to call blacktails during the rut, it’s essential to choose a location with a clear escape route and a good vantage point to see approaching deer. A spot with a natural funnel, such as a ridgeline or a gap in the trees, can be particularly effective. It’s also crucial to be mindful of wind direction and choose a location where the deer are most likely to be traveling. In Oregon, this often means setting up in areas with a mix of conifer and deciduous trees, as blacktails tend to favor these areas during the rut.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.