Know-How: Grunt Like You Mean It

by
posted on October 19, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
grunt_mean_it_f.jpg

I actually once grunted in a buck without a call and killed him. I’m not some Jacques Cousteau of deer hunting; I just had good timing. I saw the buck across open hardwoods harass a group of does that weren’t in estrus. He then stopped with that rut-crazed, Okay, now where do I go? look bucks can get in the search phase of the rut. I reached for my call, but it wasn’t there. In desperation, I used my throat. He came trotting and began to circle downwind at 20 yards when I took him with my bow.

The point is, when things are right, sometimes even the worst-sounding call will work. But I’ve also grunted at so many cruising bucks from Montana to Louisiana and Iowa to New York that I’ve learned realism does matter. Those cheap, little grunt calls with the 3-inch tubes just don’t get it done. You need a throaty and loud grunter to maximize your odds. I’ve even used the tube part from an elk bugle tube with my grunt calls. It helped.

There is a pig-like oink to a real grunt, not just a vibrating breath of air. But I don’t like carrying a 2-foot-long tube into my treestands, as I have enough to deal with. So I’ve played the field looking for commercial calls that sound throaty. Two new ones that get it done are the Revolver from Primos and the Nemesis from Hunters Specialties. Both allow you to make multiple buck and doe sounds by rotating a selector, but the mature buck grunts are the ones that stand out to me. The Revolver produces a deep, throaty sound, while the Nemesis is louder.

Latest

Lasagna Soup Lede 3
Lasagna Soup Lede 3

Recipe: Venison Lasagna Soup

Lasagna is comfort food for many, and an energy-rich meal for hunters spending the entire day afield. To shorten the cook time and enjoy the same flavors, try this excellent lasagna soup recipe from Brad Fenson.

New for 2025: Chiappa 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown

Chiappa has continued its tradition of producing fine modern firearms with a pedigree in the past, with the 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown, a lever-action worth a closer look.

How To Use Trail Cameras to Find More Bucks and Bulls

Get some tips from Scott Haugen on how to optimize your trail cam grid this season.

New for 2025: Davidson's Exclusive Bergara B-14 FSP Hunter Stainless

Davidson’s has collaborated with Bergara to produce the first complete Bergara rifle with a stainless-steel barreled action available in the USA.

New for 2025: Leica USA Rangemaster CRF Max

Leica Sport Optics USA has unveiled the Leica Rangemaster CRF Max. Designed for hunters and long-range shooters who demand precision and reliability, the CRF Max combines Leica’s optical performance with cutting-edge digital integration and a new heads-up display.

Boone and Crockett Club Poaching Data Published

Did you know that the majority of wildlife violations never result in citations? Sure, with so much ground to cover, it may be easy to guess that most violations committed deep in the backcountry will never see the light of day, but the scale is still quite surprising. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.