Grunting for Deer Out of Range

Editor's Note: Brad Harris, of Neosho, Missouri, the vice president in charge of public relations for Outland Sports, the mother company of Lohman's and M.A.D. Calls as well as API tree stands and other outdoor products, has hunted deer avidly for three decades. He knows how to grunt up deer.

Question: How do you grunt when you see a deer that's out of range or that you can't get a shot at?
Answer: First, I want to get the deer's attention. That will be determined by how far away the deer is, how windy the weather is, and what the terrain is like. All these factors dictate volume. The grunt has to be loud enough for a deerto hear. At 50 yards, a grunt doesn't have to be too loud, but at 200 yards, you have to grunt loudly enough to get his attention or make some vocal sounds to get him to stop and listen.

You'll know the deer has heard you if he stops and throws his ears your way. If you grunt and he still walks, he hasn't heard you. Deer will acknowledge you 99.99 percent of the time by stopping and at least looking at you. When a deer stops and looks, immediately grunt again. You want to reassure him that, "Yes, what you've just heard is a deer, and that deer is telling you to come here." Subsequently, you may never have to grunt again. He may walk right to you. But if he starts toward you and you think he's losing interest, or he starts veering off the path, grunt again. You want to keep him coming and interested. You want him to think a deer is calling him because something is going on.

Question: How close will you let a deer get to you and still grunt?
Answer: If the deer is not going to present me with a shot -- again it will depend on the wind and the terrain -- I will grunt softly to him within 35 to 40 yards just to get him to move. If the cover is really thick and I need him to come 4 or 5 yards closer, I will grunt softly -- as long as he isn't looking at me and doesn't know I'm around.

To learn more about Outland Sport's calls and hunting accessories, call 1-800-922-9034 or visit the company's website at www.outland-sports.com.

Tomorrow: Trolling for Deer