Grunting, Growling and so on

[shaman]

Every time I go to BassPro, they have this video showing somebody with a buck call doing what they call a "Growl." They claim this is a new discovery. It sounds like a very aggressive (perhaps overly aggressive grunt) to me, and it's nothing new.

First off, what are y'all take on the growl?

Secondly, I've believed for a long time that aggressive grunting scares off more deer than it attracts. I call, but it's usually a non-threatening contact grunt, that's voiced somewhere midway between a doe bleat and a buck. My theory is that it tells the deer that there's another deer out there saying hello. That is nearly the only blind calling I do. Thoughts?

[TrophyTracker]

The Growl is not a new sound at all,the marketing machine just does a great job creating that idea,and the hype around it. I have used this call,and believe that it is just like a snort/wheeze call,in there is a certain time to use it,and a time to leave it in your vest. The video shows a guy blowing it and a whole herd of deer coming in from every direction.That is possible,but not likely.I have seen younger bucks come running in to the outside of field edges and wood lots to check out the scene,but never any massive brusiers,which most people would have been very happy with those smaller bucks,but they would have had to had a rifle to reach them.The "Growling" call is not a closer,it is more like a locater in spring,the other calls and the softer stuff seal the deal. Like most things,there is a time and place for everything.Our job is to know when and where.Sometimes we get it right,most we get it wrong,but it is a blast either way! Good luck Shamen, enjoy you're season.

[shaman]

You probably aren't going to believe this, but I had that very thing happen the first time I used a grunt call. I'd just gotten one of these things and gave it a try on. I'd been sitting all morning with nothing going on. I stood up to pee and as I was zipping up, I noticed a nice stump to sit on. I sat down, pulled out the grunt call and gave it a little toot. Whatever I did caused a whole herd of deer, just uphill from me, to break cover and stampede directly at me. They got so close that there was a hoof print between mine at the stump. I swung around and got a little fork-horn in my sights and pulled the trigger.

For the next few years, I thought I had the magic deer call. I'd go pooting on that thing all over the woods, expecting a stampede of deer, with no such luck. When the herd did not appear, I just blew harder and louder and more often. Looking back on it, I must have been ridiculous.

Oh well.

[TrophyTracker]

That's the part I love though, all the unexpected,crazy things that happen.Scott can tell you,every time we step into the woods,a "you'll never believe this" story happens! I enjoy the outdoors so much,and I love hearing stories like yours.I can't wait until Thanksgiving weekend to be back at deer camp to listen to a years worth from a mix of people who mean a hell of a lot to me for one reason or another.Did you make a decision on the"Growl" call?If so,let us know how it worked.Mine will be in the vest fo' sho'

Later

[TrophyTracker]

This is a good one that never got much mileage. Any takers?