I need some setup advice

[KyleAllen]

I watched a nice buck chasing does around a field this evening as well as a younger buck hasseling them. All the bucks were walking with there nose to the ground and necks stretched out. They seem to be rutting full swing. Well i been itchin real bad to try out the decoy i made last year ( i posted pics if yall remember). And well, this just seems like the perfect opportunity.

So heres my question...do you think i would have better luck taking the horns off of the decoy or leaving them on? It is only a small fork horn rack. The biggest buck definitely seemed to be the dominant one. What would you do?

thanks
Kyle

[702plmo]

Be sure to set the decoy up wind of you and give the deer a route to circle down wind of the decoy. Before the target animal is down wind of the decoy is when you should have your shot.  Set your self up downwind so the target animal will pass between you and the decoy.      Use some scent that matches decoy you are using.  Buck decoy=buck urine  /  doe decoy=doe urine.  

  Try a scent drag line to the decoy.     I would probably make the decoy a doe and use regualr doe urine with a hint of doe in heat.

 be sure to use rubber boots and rubber gloves.

[Pat B]

I have a decoy I made this year but haven't had a chance to use it. If you are in an area with a dominant buck, keeping the antlers on and using dominant buck scent and agression calls should bring the big boy in to chase off the intruder.
 If you are not sure about a dominant buck, remove the antlers and use estrus doe scent to attract any bucks in the area. Be warned that estrus doe scent will usually run off any other does in the area...at least in my experience.
 I'm hoping to use my decoy next weekend. By then, the pre-rut should be in full swing in our area.   Pat

[**DONOTDELETE**]

can you guys post pic's of your homemade decoys.

[Pat B]

Sal, I can e-mail a pic to you. Pat

[macbow]

From what I've heard from friends the either way could work. Set up using the wind as suggested above.
Ron