No I don't take the horns out until around Oct. 31. I am not saying tickling the horns would not bring in a deer at anytime earlier in the season. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to deer in the wild. most hunters don't use the deer call until the pre-rut or rut comes in yet watch a buck they want to shoot walk away from them earlier in the season not knowing if a buck would have answered a soft grunt call. deer are vocal all year long. IF you don't try it you will never know will you. Don't be afraid to try something when it comes deer hunting the worst that can happen is the buck didn't respond to what ever you tried at that time. if you do nothing at all I guess he will never respond to your lack of effort.