Direct answer upfront: For deer rattling, use short initial sequences at lower volume (about 10–20 seconds), then pause long enough for deer to respond or move in before ramping up. Typical guidance suggests rattling every 20–30 minutes, with interim rests of several minutes to allow deer to approach or to prevent spooking them. The exact duration that a given segment lasts isn’t as critical as progressively building intensity across sequences and giving deer time to commit. What to do in practice

• Start with a quiet, short burst: 10–20 seconds of rattling, then silence for about 2–5 minutes. This helps avoid overcalling and keeps bucks curious rather than cautious.
• If nothing responds, escalate gradually: another sequence of 1–2 minutes with higher volume or more aggressive rake sounds, then again wait 10–20 minutes before the next attempt.
• Rattle on bedding or ambush routes: keep sequences shorter (20–30 seconds) but plan to repeat more frequently (every few minutes within the same sit) if you’re close to a likely bedding area.
• Time of day matters: mornings often yield better responses than mid-day in many setups, especially during the pre-rut and early rut windows. Use mornings for the strongest chances, but evenings can also work in pressured setups.
• Manage wind and setup: position to limit deer from approaching downwind; consider having a partner to help with the rattle while you concentrate on sightlines and shot opportunities.
• Stay alert and adapt: if a buck appears, stop rattling and prepare for the shot; you can use a short vocal cue or light final rattle to coax him in if needed, but avoid overcalling once a deer is close.

Key takeaways

• Begin with short, low-volume rattles (10–20 seconds).
• Pause several minutes, then repeat; many hunters find success by rattling every 20–30 minutes, but adjust based on deer activity.
• Increase intensity gradually if responses are weak, and keep sequences shorter when near bedding areas.
• Morning rattling often yields better results; always be ready for a quick engage when a deer commits.

If you’d like, share your target location, sun/wind conditions, and deer pressure level, and this can be tailored into a session-by-session rattling plan.