Question: When do whitetails respond best to rattling? — David Husak, via e-mail

Answer: One study showed that younger bucks (1 1/2 and 2 1/2-year-olds) came in a little more often during the prerut, but they responded almost as well during the rut and postrut. Mature bucks (3 1/2 and 4 1/2) came in most often during the rut, and next most often during the postrut. In fact, response in the postrut was almost as high as in the rut, but quiet rattling worked best at that time. Really old bucks responded the least to rattling.

By far, bucks responded to rattling best in the early morning. Frequently, bucks came toward the rattling and then circled downwind before the rattler could see them. That’s why it is best to have a buddy situated 200 feet behind you to rattle. Or rattle from a treestand where you can see bucks coming. — Dr. Dave Samuel, Conservation Editor

Question: I am in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina. I have always been an avid rifle hunter, but on base we can hunt only with primitive weapons. So recently I have become interested in bowhunting for deer and black bears. As an E-4 in the Corps with a wife and two small children, I can’t afford to spend a pile of money on myself. Can you suggest any economical bows that could serve me well for the animals I want to hunt? — CPL Calvin Grinstead USMC

Answer: Plenty of bows on the market will serve your needs. Bear Archery’s Truth is one example of an excellent bow for just over $500. Very good bows under $500 include Reflex Rampage and Growler; PSE Octane; Mission Archery X4; Browning Myst; Martin Bengal; and Diamond Justice. Parker Compound Bows has some economical models such as the Legend XP or Trailblazer XP. In particular, check Parker’s Outfitter Packages with the bow set up with accessories and sighted in at 20 yards. You can find still other bows for less than $400 that will get the job done as well. Go to a reputable pro shop, tell personnel there your spending limit, and they will fix you up with a bow that fits your body and your wallet. I can guarantee you one thing — when it comes to the cost of your bow, the deer and black bears won’t care one bit. Good luck and take care. — Curt Wells, Equipment Editor

Question: Do pronghorn antelope shed their horns each year? Also, is it true that antelope don’t jump fences but only go under? — Doug Schnider, via e-mail

Answer: Both male and female pronghorns shed the outer sheaths of their horns annually. Generally, antelope go under fences, and they will walk miles along fences to find a high strand or hole where they can crawl under. Heavily used fence crossings often make good stand sites. However, antelope can and will jump fences when necessary. Editor Dwight Schuh said that, while hunting antelope in Colorado, he saw a half-dozen bucks jump three-strand barbed-wire fences. — Brian Fortenbaugh, Assistant Editor

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