The Early-Season Calling Setup
The buck, the why, and the gear
Thursday Note
Thursdays are a little different around here. Instead of following one hunt, we’re putting a few pieces of hunting gear on the bench and looking at where they actually earn a place in the woods. Each pick is tied to a real hunting situation, so you can decide whether it belongs in your setup. This week: early-season calling.
The Setup
How to Call Early-Season Deer
Most hunters leave the calls at home until the rut. That’s a mistake. Early-season deer are still social, and a soft call or a little antler noise can bring one closer, as long as you don’t overdo it.
This week’s gear notes come from Primos, who’ve been making game calls for 50 years. Let’s get into it.
Call
Call the Does First
Bucks aren’t chasing yet, but does are still tuned in to fawns. A soft bawl or bleat can pull a curious doe right into your setup, which is a good way to fill an early doe tag and get deer moving past you.
Keep it quiet. A few calls every 20 to 30 minutes is plenty, and once a deer is headed your way, stop calling.
Gear note
Primos Deer Bleat & Bawl
One call that makes a fawn bawl, a short bleat, and an estrus bleat for later in the season.
$13.99 Check price
Rattle
Tickle the Antlers. Don’t Fight.
By October, bucks start splitting off from their summer groups and sparring. Light rattling that sounds like two young bucks pushing each other around fits right in.
Keep each sequence short, around 30 seconds, then wait and watch. Save the loud, crashing fights for November.
Gear note
Primos Big Bucks Rattling Bag
Fits in a pocket and covers everything from light sparring to a full buck fight.
$19.99 Check price
The Shot
Be Steady Before They Show
Calling only pays off if you’re ready when a deer commits. Hunting from the ground with a gun or crossbow, set your rest at sitting height before you make the first call.
That way, when a deer steps out, the only move left is settling in behind the scope.
Gear note
Primos Gen3 Short Tripod Trigger Stick
Adjusts with one hand and a pull of the trigger. Sized for sitting and kneeling shots.
$159.99 Check price
Dale’s Take
“Early-season calling is mostly restraint. Call less than you think you should, and be ready for the one time it works.”
Do you call early in the season, or wait for the rut? Hit reply and tell me.
Call soft. Stay ready.
Dale Richey
Big Buck Journal
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