Game calls can save a lot of time in tracking a game. During the rut, they use it to attract other deer for mating purposes. People have started using deer calls to attract deer when hunting, because this makes finding a prey easier. Deer calls can be categorized into five divisions: Antagonistic, Distress/Alarm, Mating, Neonatal/Maternal, and Contact.
The first level of aggression is the Grunt: most deer usually use this call. This call typically attracts any buck in the rut. The second level of aggression is the Grunt-Snort: most bucks use this when there is a conflict between it and another buck – especially the dominant bucks during breeding season. The third and highest level of aggression is the Grunt-Snort-Wheeze: bucks can be heard performing this when they are about to fight or charge. Inferior bucks will be scared off by this; whereas, other dominant ones will be attracted to it.
A deer that uses this call indicates that it is injured, hurt, afraid, or ensnared. Usually, other deer will come to the aid of the call’s performer. An alarm snort warn other deer that there is danger nearby, whether they smelled, saw, or heard something that seems dangerous. In bow-hunting, using a call of this manner attract games to inspect the area of where the call is heard. Some fawns are also attracted by this out of curiosity.
Mating calls usually attract dominant bucks in search of does. Some bucks, however, are attracted to it because they want to see if there are other bucks in their territory. This is most effective during breeding season.
This type of call is chiefly used by does and their fawns to locate each other. A doe uses this to call their fawns to feed them or to tell them that she is nearby. When a fawn calls their doe, typically means that they are in need of attention or feeding. During bow-hunting, this can quickly attract caring does.
This call is by no means threatening. It is a social call to simply tell other deer that they are there or to locate other deer. Does, bucks, and fawns can be attracted by this call because of their curiosity.