I have tried fawn in distress calls, grunt calls and rattling all with zero success. I have called in does several times while trying to call coyotes but I have also scared the deer out of the county with a predator call. So I just try to stay as quiet as possible.
I use a Case XXX that my dad gave me 53 years ago. Every big game animal I have killed and many that others have killed has been field dressed with that knife. Hasn't failed me yet.
Been shooting a little Browning,50#@28", that my Nephew gave me. My favorite is my Marten Mamba, 65#@28", but it's a bit too much for my shoulder these days. I still have the 50# Ben Pearson I killed my first deer with some where back in the sixties.