Best Deer Calls to Elevate Your Hunting Game

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A deer call is really nothing more than a hunting technique that uses sound to lure deer.

Hunters have used it for thousands of years, using grunt sounds to pique deer’s curiosity.

Recently, though, deer calling has evolved as hunters use instruments to generate sound.

No matter what your technique is, you will need decent deer call equipment to attract your prey.

5 Best Deer Calls Reviewed

1. Illusion Systems Extinguisher Deer Call

Deer calls aren’t easy to make; they’re not like duck calls at all.

While they are more complex, this makes them more versatile in almost every situation.

With a simple adjustment, the Extinguisher deer call effectively functions as an all-in-one product for calling bucks, does, and fawns.

To detect different kinds of prey, change the tone and pitch by pulling them out of their hiding places.

Whitetails usually stay within a half-mile of their homes, so if you see a whitetail deer and it gets away from you, the Extinguisher will help lure them back out.

The NAHC has approved its high quality with a rating of over 99{ebf8267f808eac43d24742043db51eeeb004db6334271e1bb6fe8c21c7925753}, making it one of the top-rated deer calls in the United States. It comes with a throat tube to create those realistic sounds.

With the ModiSlide, you can execute a call with ease, and rest assured that the freeze-free design will help you out whether you are bowhunting or carrying a rifle, even in the frigid cold.

2. Nationwide Scents Deer Call

Looking for something just as powerful but less technical?

We ranked the Extinguisher at the top of the list because it’s simply the best in terms of versatility, but Nationwide Scents is the most comfortable and enjoyable one to use.

It produces a low grunt that calls over bucks and does alike.

Pop the wooden cap off and grab the whistle by the handle, then adjust the o-ring on the inside so you can mimic different tones and sounds.

Put the cover back on, and pull the lanyard over your neck so you can keep it close by and call your prey when you’re ready. With your purchase, Nationwide Scents provides a money-back guarantee.

Deer calls are pretty hard to mess up; either you made a good one or nobody ever recommends your products in the first place. We’re confident in its quality, and we’ve used it ourselves with excellent results.

3. Hunters Specialties True Talker Deer Call

What are you interested in calling upon? Choose from fawn to doe and immature to dominant buck.

There’s a different tone for each, and only Hunters Specialties can truly differentiate between those two latter ones.

Bucks are easily agitated creatures, so it’s important to use this call and then shoulder your hunting rifle or hunting bow soon after.

Realistically, most deer calls don’t last forever. Hunters Specialties wanted to make something that outlasted others to gain an edge, so they did.

Hunters everywhere agree that the call lasts consistently and for a long period of time.

This call is simple to use, with multiple bumps on the whistle base and a smooth body to hold onto tightly.

It’s realistic, it’s inexpensive, and probably the most durable one you’ll ever have. It’ll help you attract what you want, whether it be a tiny fawn or a big buck.

4. Primos Hunting Deer Call

Primos makes a ton of stuff, and we were a bit hesitant to see how this worked, but it pleasantly surprised us.

It looks like something out of a Sam Fisher novel, but in actuality, this discrete deer call creates realistic sounds with little to no blowing effort on your end.

It’s a revolver grunt call, which means it’s better suited for mature bucks and is sometimes used during mating season.

Its tone challenges the buck, so be ready to shoot when it arrives.

Crafted out of durable plastic and a tough shell, this call doesn’t have any working parts outside of the chamber.

It features a simple call, quick results, and a realistic sound that lasts for years to come. You’ll save money now, but you’ll save time on each hunt later.

5. Primos Hunting “The Can” Deer Call

This is a different deer call. You’re not blowing on anything; you’re just putting the can down and confusing almost all types of deer, such as whitetails, blacktails, or mule bucks.

This releases a scent and estrus bleats that tell the buck that a doe is ready to breed, and instincts immediately kick in.

They respond to the call almost instantly, as if they can’t control it.

You can place it down and leave it to lure the buck into a clearing, or you can keep it on hand and lure them directly to you.

When the buck is losing its scent and visibly drifting away, you can “hit” the can a few times, which will consistently bring their senses back into alignment.

This revolutionary product takes advantage of the scent detection proficiency of deer and buck.

Whitetails have more olfactory receptors than a bloodhound, as well as 20’80 vision, so they rely on their sense of smell during the day. With this, they’ll play right into your hand.

Things to Consider Before Buying

In addition to versatility and durability, which I’ve already covered, the adjustability of the grunt tube is another factor you need to consider before committing to a purchase. 

However, all three aspects may be of secondary importance because the right sound is what you really need to attract the type of deer you want.

Mainly, there are three different sounds used in deer vocalizations:

1. Grunt Calls

The sound that will attract a buck looking for a fight—especially during its pre-rut period. The buck will respond to this sound as if it’s an invitation to a competition.

It’s a low, grunting sound that has to hit a very specific tone. Too low, and a deer won’t be able to hear it. If it’s too high, the deer will seek shelter.

Do Grunt Calls Work

If you time them right, grunt calls will definitely work. Grunt calls can challenge bucks and sometimes attract does during the mating season.

A grunt call can also challenge nearby juvenile bucks, so you need to be careful. While mature bucks are far more dangerous, juveniles are more headstrong.

They’ll go into a fight even if they can’t win it because instinct hasn’t fully kicked into high gear yet.

But they’re not the only type of call you should be using. A grunt call is merely one component of a series of calls you can use sequentially to accomplish more.

Doe and fawn bleat calls are also useful. They take a buck from enraged to curious. They hear the call, but they can’t see the doe or fawn anywhere nearby.

This gives you the element of surprise in almost every situation. Yes, grunt calls are effective, but you shouldn’t rely solely on them.

Diversify your hunting arsenal with a series of different calls for the best results.

2. Bleats

Another sound aimed at bucks in a rut, but this one imitates the sounds of does or fawns, which are softer and friendlier than grunts.

To a buck in pre-rut or through rutting, a doe call will sound like a mating cry. That’s what’s going to make it come closer to you. It’s likely to attract younger bucks.

3. Rattling

Sounds of two bucks fighting. We haven’t included any rattle bags on our list because it’s difficult to get the sound right with them, and they are too complicated to be efficient.

Compared to other items on this list, their design as bags, boxes, or antler imitations makes them difficult to carry around.

You need both hands and a special technique to use them, which can be bothersome if you like holding on to your rifle. Getting their sound right will attract all the dominant bucks in the area.

How do You Rattle a Buck?

• Stick to the Rut: During the pre-rut and post-rut, you’re going to be able to rattle bucks like it’s nobody’s business. They are already in a frenzy; you simply need to time your calls, and you will be surrounded by trophies and freezers chock-full of venison. This is the most lucrative time to use deer calls.
• Stay high up: When you call from up high, out of the average 20/80 line of sight that deer have, you’re going to confuse them. They may even become confused enough to wander around and look for the source. Use this disarray to your advantage. Lure them out, line up your shot, and take it. During this time, tree stands will be your best friend.
• Go early in the morning: As we all know, early in the morning early in the morning is the best time to hunt deer. But it’s also the best time to use a deer call. The deer and buck will exhibit greater calmness during their feeding period, which occurs before the majority of predators are active. Use this false sense of security to take your shot.

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