A lot of eyes would be on the lookout for any spot-and-stalk hunter who could get near this mule deer herd. But to rattle a buck in, especially a big mulie, you need to get in close. Photo by Scott Haugen.

The Roosevelt bull bugled at every sound I made, but he would not leave his cows. The next morning, I found him again, but he didn't respond to a single call. I trailed him for more than two hours and waited for the right time to make my move.

As the herd fed over a knoll, the shadows and wind masked my approach. I used aggressive cow talk to lure him -- and the rest of the herd -- within bow range. He responded.

I took one shot, and the massive bull collapsed, 75 yards from where I stung him.

No matter what big-game animal you're after this season, there are times to be aggressive, and times to be passive. What you choose to do, and when, depends on to many factors, not the least of which is the behavior of the animals themselves.

BE AGGRESSIVE
There are four aggressive steps archers can turn to, but knowing when and where to use them is critical. Factors like time of year, rutting periods, hunting pressure and moon phases are just some of the elements that play into how we hunt.

That said, here are the four aggressive moves that have worked for me over the years.

Tip No. 1: CALLING
Archers have the luxury of hunting many animals during the course of the rut: pronghorns, blacktails, mule deer or whitetails. The rut is a time when males of these species are most vocal, and most aggressive. Testosterone levels peak. Their need for dominance arises, and because of this, hunters can use animal communication to help get a shot.

As with all game calling, nothing's guaranteed. On opening day, bulls may sometimes be bugling like mad. Other times, they may not make a sound. When bulls are quiet early in the year, try offering subtle bull talk and combine it with cow and calf-elk sounds. This series of sounds creates the impression of a herd, with an eager bull waiting for a cow to reach estrous.

As the season progresses, aggressive bugles and hyper- cow talk can be the ticket, simply because herd dynamics change as cows distance themselves from calves, go into heat, and the rut increases in intensity.

For deer, grunts and doe bleats can be effective during the late-fall or early-winter rut. While blacktails and whitetails will travel a good distance in response to a call, hunters will likely have to get closer to a mulie's home turf to pull him within bow range.

Pronghorn bucks also can be called in during the height of their doe-chasing. I've personally found these calls prove most effective when used with a decoy, which makes a difference in pulling bucks away from their harems.

Tip No. 2: RATTLING
Rattling is one of the most effective ways to get late-season deer within bow range. In thick blacktail habitat, try setting up, rattling for one to two minutes, then sitting still, your bow ready, for five minutes. Repeat the process for 30 to 45 minutes. If you see nothing, move into the next location and try again.

I've had bucks come running in before I even completed the first sequence. I've also stayed in an area for more than two hours, bringing in four different bucks.

Let the situation, and the setting, dictate how long you rattle.

For hunting whitetails in brush-choked habitat, there are some excellent late-season opportunities, and rattling can be key.

If you know that bucks are in the area, but they aren't coming in, move 15 to 20 yards between your short rattling sequences. This creates the illusion of two bucks fighting and on the move. It might be just the trick to lure in a call-shy buck.

Mulies can also be rattled in. As yet, I haven't personally taken a mulie by rattling, but have spoken with a good number of hunters who have. They all shared a common tactic: getting as close to the buck as possible before starting to rattle.

A big mulie buck seems reluctant to travel far if he hears a fight in progress. The closer you can get -- preferably around some brush for cover -- the greater your odds of pulling him in.

Rattling for elk can also be very effective during September bowhunting seasons. If calls don't seem to be pulling in a bull, try raking a shed antler, even an old tree limb, on some brush or against another tree. Kick and stomp on the ground to create the sounds of a real fight, and a bull might just come charging in.

Tip No. 3: DECOYS
Big-game decoys are becoming more popular among Western archers, and for good reason: They work. When combined with calling and rattling during the rut, decoys can be the key to getting a wise male of the species to commit.