Updated March 2023
When bowhunters talk about the whitetail rut, the use of grunt calls, doe bleats and rattling antlers often gets discussed. It goes without saying that grunt calls play an important and effective roll in calling in mature bucks during most phases of the whitetail rut. Ask any experienced bowhunter and they will more than likely say they do not head into the woods without a grunt call during the best weeks of the rut. This article will help understand deer communication when it comes to grunt calls as well as reviews of the best grunt calls available.
Deer Communication 101 – Grunting
Similar to snorts, wheezes and bleats, the grunt is a common vocalization made by bucks. Bucks grunt for a variety of different reasons, a lot of times which is breeding related. A few common types of grunts include:
- Contact Grunt – This type of grunt is used to announce a buck’s presence to other deer.
- Tending Grunt – A series of grunts made by a buck following a doe.
- Rage/Aggressive Grunt – Also called a buck roar, this type of grunt is made by a frustrated or angry buck, usually caused by a doe that does not want to be bred.
As you can tell, grunting plays an important role in deer communications and social interactions. The use of a grunt call is effective for mimicking these types of communications in order to draw in an interested buck, especially during the rut.
10 Best Grunt Calls for Calling in Mature Bucks
Illusion Systems Extinguisher – The Extinguisher by Illusion Systems grunt call is one of the most popular and widely used calls of all time. The Extinguisher has an adjustable sliding mechanism to easily change the pitch of the call from a buck to a doe or a fawn, making it a versatile option for almost any situation. The slider mechanism also helps to prevent the call from freezing up due to perspiration from use in cold temperatures. For a realistic and easy to use call, the Extinguisher is an obvious choice for serious buck hunters.
Primos Trophy Grunter Call – The Trophy Grunter call by Primos is a useful call with an adjustable reed that allows you to choose the pitch of the call, ranging from a mature buck all the way down to a fawn bleat. This call also has an expandable hose to alter sounds with variable tones, allowing you to mimic a large mature buck. The Power Buck and Doe Call is another great option from Primos that delivers proven results. With its solid construction and adjustability, the Trophy Grunter is an exceptional all-around call for just about any situation.
Hunters Specialties True Talker OG – The True Talker OG by Hunter Specialties is a tried-and-true buck grunt call that features an aggressive buck “growl” tone. This call produces a variety of sounds including a mature buck grunt, young buck grunt, doe bleat and fawn bleat. The True Talker OG has an improved reed design that is made to resist freezing in cold temperatures. The soft rubber exterior makes it easy to grip in any condition and has a lanyard for convenient useability. The True Talker OG is a reliable grunt call that allows users to choose from a variety of different vocalizations.
Primos Rut Roar – The Rut Roar deer call by Primos is another highly-rated call that is built upon the original design and functionality of the Primos Buck Roar II. The Rut Roar produces incredibly realistic sounds including grunts and roars that mature bucks make during the peak of the rut. This call is designed to mimic the sound of a buck that is on a hot doe, enticing other bucks to come investigate. What makes this call different from others, is the arm strap that allows you to use the call hands free. This is a handy option when preparing to draw your bow and don’t have a free hand.
Flextone All-in-One Deer Call – The All-in-One deer call from Flextone sounds just as good as it looks! This call is made to bend and twist to get that perfect natural sound that bucks make as they move their mouth and throat. The All-in-One call is great for novice callers as the user-friendly buttons make it simple to switch between mature buck, young buck, doe and fawn bleats. This is a truly versatile call that produces realistic vocalization in an easy-to-use manner. The Flextone Natural Bone Grunter is another similar call that produces realistic buck sounds.
Nationwide Scents Call – This classic call is one of the most popular selling calls for a reason. The Nationwide Scents call is designed to mimic a rutting buck grunt and also has an adjustable ring that allows the call to produce sounds of a young buck, breeding buck, doe and fawn bleat. The extra-long tube of this call creates realistic throaty buck grunts that can be heard from a long distance. The beautifully handcrafted wooden finish on this call gives it a quality feel in your hand.
The Buck Commander Grunt Call – The Buck Commander grunt call is an affordable and reliable option that produces life-like grunt sounds of mature whitetail deer. With an adjustable O-ring, this call can be used to mimic a variety of deer vocalizations including rutting buck grunts, breeding buck grunts, young buck grunts, doe bleats, estrus doe bleats and fawn bleats. The durable polycarbonate barrel creates loud, deep tones and is made to hold up in harsh conditions. The simple to use design of this Buck Commander call makes it an excellent choice for beginner or intermediate hunters.
Woodhaven The Intimidator – The Intimidator is a user-friendly call that is made to operate with minimal air flow. This call has the capability of producing a wide range of grunts, from soft to very loud, with the ability to adjust the pitch for even greater sound control. What makes this call different from other grunt calls is the inclusion of a snort wheeze option. This quality crafted call makes it a go to call for many experienced and seasoned hunters.
Knight & Hale Arrowhead – It’s no secret that Knight and Hale has been around for many years and produce some of the best quality calls on the market, with their Arrowhead call being no different. This call was designed to be compact and easy to carry in your pocket or a small pack. The Arrowhead call has the ability to create a wide range of deer vocalizations including buck grunts, growls and doe bleats through an easily manipulated call chamber. This is a popular call used by the one and only, “T-Bone” Turner!
Bone Collector Ol’ Faithful Grunt Call – Bone Collector’s Ol’ Faithful grunt call is a simple reed call that has a flexible tube allowing users to manipulate tones for incredibly realistic sounds. Constructed with an eye-catching walnut barrel, this call is capable of producing deep, intense tones combined with its extendable, adjustable tube for natural buck vocalization. The Ol’ Faithful call provides a nice balance of quality and reliability, with incredibly realistic sounds.
As you have read, grunt calls are a useful tool for calling mature bucks into range. By using the right grunt in the correct situation, you can greatly increase your odds of calling in and getting a shot at a good buck. Grunt calls are widely used by many experienced hunters for good reason. They deliver results. For related articles, check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!