How to Make a Set of Rattling Antlers – it’s Easy! By Nikki Boxler

If you don’t have rattling antlers, you are in luck! This fun and simple project can be done in less than an hour, using only a few tools!

November is finally here! We have waited in anticipation all year for these next few weeks. The rut is heating up in many parts of the country and bucks are beginning to build aggression – this means it is time to break out those rattling antlers!

First – get yourself a set of antlers

You can use antlers from previously harvested bucks or sheds you found while walking the woods. Or, you may even be able to find them locally if there is a deer farm in your area. The antlers you select should have a sufficient number of tines on each side. Different size antlers make different sounds, try them out and see which ones you like. Generally, you would want to use larger antlers during the rut, however don’t go too large as you want to spark curiosity and sound beatable to nearby bucks. If you use antlers larger than the bucks you are hunting, there is a good chance that you will scare them away.

Optional: This step will depend on the antlers

Depending on the brow tines you may want to remove them to prevent damage to your fingers. To do this you will take a hand saw and carefully saw off the brow tines as close to the main beam as possible. Once the brow tine has been removed buff out the area with sandpaper to make the area smooth.

The next step will require a drill and a vise

Brace the antler in the vise near the base. Using a drill bit that is a tad larger in diameter than the strap, carefully drill a hole about an inch from the base of the antler.

Get some para-cord

Last, string the para-cord through the hole, tie a knot and melt the end of the para-cord with a lighter.

Repeat this step with the next antler and you will have yourself a pair of real rattling antlers.

As always, have fun and good luck in the field!