to decoy or not to decoy...

[Kamm1004]

I've been doing a little research and I just have a quick question to your seasoned whitetail hunters out there. Do you use decoys or do you prefer not to? Do they attract more than they seem to spook? Also, which do you prefer, doe or buck? I'm looking for one that would be good pre rut thru post rut and so far i'm leaning towards a feeding doe. Give me your stories of experience with them and how they should be used with different types of calling and etc, if your someone who uses them. Thanks gang.

[Bob B.]

I prefer a doe my second choice is a buck with only a half rack.  

Decoys can be a real pain, but if you are going to do a long sit during the pre-rut or the especially the chase phase, it can be worth it.

Good luck,

Bob.

[Kamm1004]

Thanks Bob. Due to my budget I ordered a good name brand 2D doe decoy instead of a 200 fancy decoy. I'm hoping it will work good enough. I'm still interested in what luck you guys have had using them. If grunting and rattling is still a good idea since its a doe decoy, and any tips you guys might have. thanks

[Slickhead]

when it works it WORKS
When it doesnt it doesnt

I plan on using one the week of rut with some hot doe urine

[Bob B.]

First off, it has to be seen, so you gotta be in the correct area, the decoy must be visible.  

I use scent and grunt both.  Ever calm and or deer dander is a good start.  I also have used doe esterous with tarsal gland.

I have had better luck with movement, like a hanky ( white) tacked to the tail, to blow in the wind, or on a string to be moved by me.  Doe bleats and tending grunts help to get other deer attention that may not see your decoy.

I ahve found doe will approach from the front of a doe decoy, eyes locked on the face of the decoy and buck usually approach the rear of the decoy, scent checking and grunting softly.

Slickhead is correct however, when it works it works great, and when it does not ... it don't - plain and simple.

Keep you scent off it and good luck to ya.

Bob.

[jeanpaul3006]

I use a 3d cabelas target that's easy to carry. Then i put on a larger rack and put a couple of eyelets on the back. I tie a thin camo rope to  the eyelets and the tie the rope around a overhead branch. The deer with a slight breeze will move side to side. I've had deer not pay attention with the small rack, but with the big rack, the hair on the neck rises and the ears get laid back. The movement seems to pull in the bucks.

[Kamm1004]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes I know scent is critical and visibility as well. I appreciate the advice. Keep it coming
I'll be hunting from a ground blind on the edge of a pond. In relation to your blind how do you guys like to set it up. How far away from the blind? Straight in front or to the side?

[Roy from Pa]

Sometimes they work, sometimes they scare does away. I have taken bucks with the use of a decoy.

[rraming]

I would do buck only, it has hurt me more than it has ever helped me. To have a deer scared of your decoy is a real bummer, they do not like them if they are paying attention. I have also had deer not see them until they got right next to it and jumped, also had a grouse hunter try sneaking up and show his son what a live buck looks like, he said "what do you see ther son" when he realized it was a decoy, he left with his tail between his legs. I could go on and on, only got me one kill stopping a running deer from another hunter. They are a pain to haul, noisy and unnecessary. iMHO

[LBshooter2]

I killed two deer last year with a decoy and it is one fun way to hunt. As it has been said Movement is key, let me state that again, Movement is key. If legal in your state get a tail wagger at tail wagger.com it is amazing what it does for your set up. I had a group of8 does come in and won't leave the area because everytime the tail flicked they would come back. My mistake was it was on the trail and they just wouldn't pass it. I place it in a corn field and a doe walk along the tree line with plenty of room to walk down wind of it and when she stopped to look she was 5 yards from me and that was that. Three days later a spike came down the same tree line and stopped inthe does tracks and he was placed in the freezer too. I use a buck decoy during the pre rut , and then a feeding doe during the chase , rut adn post. I wash and spray them down each time with scent killer and I use no scent , it seems to make them curious as to why what they see doesn't smell and it keeps them looking. The 2d will spook them if they lose sight when approaching and then see again, so set up is key. Go on craigslist and you can buy them 3 d cheap I bought 4 for 25 dollars and they are the flambeau redi doe. Have fun with it and remember when you are on stand and fall asleep and awake don't shoot your decoy lol.