It’s not just the right weapon that ensures success on a hunt, but also the additional equipment and techniques of the hunter that get the kill. One of the best pieces of equipment a hunter can use on a deer hunt is a buck grunt call to lure the animal in for the perfect shot, but how do you know which one to choose?
Let’s take a deeper look at these buck grunt calls to discover how they might help you achieve the best deer hunt yet. I’ll tell you about each one and discuss their advantages. I’ll also teach you how to use one of these calls and help you find the one with the perfect sound for you.
Here are the 5 best buck grunt calls:
1. Illusion Systems Extinguisher Deer Call
The extinguisher deer call (available on Amazon) closely imitates natural deer sounds. The cool thing about this particular call is that it has a feature that enables the hunter to alter the call between sounds of a fawn, a doe, and a buck. So, with this one, you get more bang for your buck- literally!
The small adjustable slide allows the user to easily switch between fawn, doe, and buck calls quickly and with ease. For example, the fawn communication can do a basic location bleat and a distress bleat. Both are effective at attracting the attention of a doe.
In addition, the extinguisher deer call can do the following communications: a contact grunt, a trailing grunt, tending and breeding grunts, and growling and roaring.
To see the extinguisher deer call in action, check out this instructional YouTube video:
The adjustable sounds of a buck, doe, and fawn are instantaneous on this device, and it has a dual-layered mechanism that produces truly realistic sounds.
2. Flextone Headhunter Deer Lure
Next up is the headhunter deer lure. This call is excellent because it imitates the calls of:
- Mature buck grunts.
- Young buck grunts.
- Doe grunts and bleats.
- Fawn cries.
- Short wheezes.
This call is effective at luring in dominant bucks within range, plus it has realistic tones that add to the overall effectiveness of the sound.
Like the extinguisher buck grunt call, it can quickly change between calls for fawns, does, and bucks, but it comes with a hose that can add more inflection to the sound and create hyper-realistic calls.
Frequently, when you’re on the hunt, it can be frigid, and some calls can get ice or condensation trapped in the device, preventing the device from functioning. The headhunter deer lure has design features to remove ice build-ups, so you’ll never have to worry about frost again.
This tool is versatile and perfect for experienced hunters, so you can be sure that you can rely on it!
Related 10 Best Deer Attractants To Mix With Corn.
3. Primos Hardwood Grunter Call
If you’re on a hunt and you see a deer, but it’s heading in the opposite direction, or it’s focused on something else, many hunters like to use a hardwood grunter to call the animal’s attention back to them.
Primos is a brand of hardwood grunt calls that has been around for a long time, so they are known as a trusted brand.
Still not sold? Check out this YouTube video from an experienced hunter:
4. True Talker OG
The True Talker OG is next on my list of best buck grunt calls.
Many of you may remember this particular buck grunt call from back in the day, as it was trendy and widely used due to its versatility and straightforward design.
This True Talker OG (available on Amazon.com) is similar to the original design, but it has:
- Five common deer vocalizations
- A fawn bleat
- A doe bleat
- An aggressive buck growl
In addition, the design comes with a lanyard for easy carrying while you’re hunting, and it’s made out of a pliable rubber material to prevent breakage.
The rubber material used to fabricate this buck call is unique because you can bend the tool to manipulate and louden the sound you produce.
The other added benefit of the rubber material is that it’s highly freeze-resistant. This is an improved reed design from previous models because it doesn’t require any reed manipulation to remove the build-up of condensation or ice while you’re on the hunt.
Check out this YouTube video to learn more:
5. Nationwide Scents Deer Hunting Grunt Call
The next buck grunt call on the list is the Nationwide Scents Deer Hunting Grunt Call. This item is a bit more expensive than most standard buck grunt calls. However, with the increased price comes an increased guarantee of satisfaction.
I’ve heard many people say that this is the best sound quality that some hunters have ever had on a buck call before. It stands out because of the extra-long tube for volume and realistic throaty grunts. It’s tested and proven in the field by the Nationwide Scents team, with over 28 years of hunting experience.
It also has a freeze-proof tip to last in the harshest conditions. In addition, it can mimic the sounds of:
- A rutting buck
- A young buck
- Breeding bucks
- Doe bleats
- Fawn bleats
It also comes with an easy-to-adjust low to high-volume call.
How Far Can a Buck Hear a Grunt Call?
Suppose you’ve gained high ground and you’re watching a hardwood ridge or creek bottom. The scenery is peaceful and beautiful, but you don’t see anything moving. Using a grunt call is the best next move.
A buck can hear a grunt call from approximately 50 to 100 yards (45.7 to 91.4 meters) away. Short single grunts can be moderately loud and have a high pitch and intensity to draw deer in.
Deer often use a low grunt sound to intimidate another buck or sometimes between two. A soft grunt is similar in sound to the primary contact grunt that deers use to acknowledge each other.
Often, if you want to get a buck or a doe’s attention, you can use a low grunt or even a contact grunt to get them to switch their focus to you. If you use a soft grunt, often other bucks become curious and will start to head in your direction.
If you’re attempting to draw in a dominant deer, you can take it one step closer and use what’s known as a grunt-snort-wheeze.
This call is a basic grunt followed by a series of snorts and sometimes a quick expulsion of air through the animal’s nostrils. A buck will often make these sounds before fighting another male.
If you’re hunting a dominant deer, this can draw the buck in, but it might scare away other non-dominant deers.
Many times, hunters looking for deer will have to use their grunt caller every half hour or so in short consecutive sequences in the hopes of attracting a deer. Typically, if a buck is within 125 yards (114 meters), they will hear and respond to the call.
What’s the Loudest Grunt Call?
Sometimes you’re not entirely within the range of a deer, and you may be concerned about a deer being able to hear your grunt call. Perhaps you’re wondering what call is the loudest so that you can use it on your next hunt.
Many products on the market claim to be the loudest grunt call available. When you’re out in the woods, you want a sound that will carry to your next kill at the right volume. If the sound isn’t loud enough, the deer may not notice or go in the wrong direction. However, if the call is too loud, you risk scaring the game away.
What you want is a grunt call that has the right amount of intensity, pitch, and loudness that you’ll attract the deer and lure them into the primary place for you to take your shot.
The loudest grunt call is the Primos Hardwood Grunter Call. It’s a go-to for many hunters when it comes to getting a durable and versatile tool with just enough loudness to get your prey’s attention.
Another reason hunters choose the Primos Hardwood Grunter is that this brand has a history of success.
Initially produced in the ’80s, Primos has fashioned a grunt tool with a 6 in 1 adjustable reed assembly that is versatile enough to make a wide range of loud grunts and bleats. Those that purchase these also claim that the materials used are highly durable and thus stand out from other products.
Again, when you’re using a grunt call, you don’t necessarily want to purchase a booming one. As I mentioned in the previous section, most bucks can pick up a call from about 100 yards (91.4 meters), sometimes 125 yards (114 meters) away. If your call is too loud, you risk scaring the animal and losing the kill.
How Do You Call a Deer With a Grunt Call?
Some hunters argue that the grunt call is one of the essential pieces of equipment for whitetail hunting. While other hunters may disagree, the fact is that grunt calls can help lure your prey towards you. However, how do you effectively use them to get your kill?
You can call a deer with a grunt call by “blind calling” or using the call without a deer in sight. However, deer grunt calls are most effective when you have seen a deer nearby since it allows you to lure them into position.
Sometimes it’s not enough to use the grunt call once. Instead, use your grunt call repeatedly and somewhat aggressively if you want to attract a buck. It would be best to use the right tones and calls in prime locations for maximum effectiveness.
Timing and location can be critical when you’re using a grunt call. For example, there’s no need to use a grunt call in a place where deers congregate, like a feeding area. Deer are usually already there during regular eating times, and if you make too much noise, you may end up scaring them away.
As I said previously, you can use your grunt call every half hour or so until you see a deer. However, grunt calls are especially effective when you have already spotted your prey.
If you see a buck slightly out of range, you should use your grunt call to bring them in. Most deer will stop if they hear you and look your way. Sometimes, you’ll have to use your call several times to get its attention, so don’t be afraid to get a little aggressive with your calls when you see a deer.
Adding bleats with tending and contact grunts can make the sounds more realistic and appealing to nearby prey.
Remember that timing and location are essential when using grunt calls. When you’re in the peak of the rut, use loud grunt calls every half hour with about 8-second sequences. Doing so could lure in an unsuspecting buck, thinking he’s trailing after a doe or a rival.
However, when you are out of the rut, you should set up in a bedding area or food source place and reduce your grunt calls. If you’re too loud in these spots, you might scare a buck away.
The Best Fawn Distress Call
Fawn distress calls can be especially effective at luring in unsuspecting does.
Unfortunately, these calls are also heavily dependent on timing and seem to work best between September and October, often losing their effectiveness around Halloween. This timeframe is when most fawns begin to gain independence from their mothers but are still close.
A fawn distress call is an agitated sound made when a fawn is distanced from its mom or in danger from a nearby predator. Most hunters only use these calls in early-season bow hunting, and typically, most females will respond to the call regardless of whether their fawns are with them or not.
When you use a fawn distress call, it signals to the doe that a fawn is in danger, injured, or in some trouble.
One of the best fawn distress calls is the Quaker Boy Distress Fawn Predator Call. This item has a compact reed-type call and produces a realistic fawn distress sound that both large predators and deer respond to.
It’s a great option if you’re not looking for pointed prey.
For more, check out What Can Deer Smell? (How To Avoid Detection).
