When to start rattling the horns
 

In Oklahoma, the prime rut is typically around the 2nd week of November. I'm always hestitant to take the antlers with me until November, but has anyone had any luck using them earlier than that? I wonder when the bucks start thinking about brawling prior to the main rut.

They start fighting as soon as the batchlor groups break up.

Might never be to soon but i normally try sneaking up on them early in season while the corn is still up and the wind is blowing. I don't like to school my buck's to what i am up to early.

As far as I've found, it never is too early. It just depends on how you go about it. Usually early in the season I'll just tickle them a little. But before the rut gets going full steam I'll be banging hard at em. Then I pick it up again after the rut has calmed down. My thinking (for what its worth:rolleyes: ) is once the rut is full blown, the does are hot and ready. If the boys haven't already established their pecking order, its first come first serve at this point.:cool: