How to Use Rattling AntlersRattling antlers can be helpful in calling Whitetail deer, however there are a few things to keep in mind.Before and during early pre rut, you only want to mimic sparring, and not full out aggressive fights.
You want to make sure that any rattling you do, during this time, is done lightly, so that it sounds more like a slight tussling between 2 bucks, as this is what goes on during that time frame. A few days before rut kicks in, and then into the actual rut, your rattling can then become louder and more aggressive sounding, as this is the time frame when bucks start fighting. Some people also rattle in combination with a deer decoy set up in place. Though we, personally, have never used a deer decoy when hunting, we can attest to the fact, that our target buck has been horribly beat up when left outside during rut! We also have several friends that use them. Most people overdo rattling. Do not use the antlers every few minutes, all day long! 
Again, this is not a naturally continuous behavior, or we would hear this the whole time we are in the woods! Only rattle a few times every couple of hours. Real antlers, replicas, rattle bags, or a deer rattling system from Knight and Hale, are a few of your options. Whatever style you use, make sure the antlers do not clang together while you are walking to your stand, and especially while they are in the stand, as there is nothing like an unexpected sound to run off a buck! If bucks fighting is a new sound to you and you do not know what you are trying to duplicate, the following video will give you a good idea. We picked this particular video, as the sound is decent, without people talking or playing music in the background!
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