Deer decoys

[TIM B]

Thought a decoy discussion would be interesting.  I've used a doe decoy more than anything.  I've had small bucks come right up to it.  More often than not I'll use it as a distraction of confidence decoy out at the edge of a field - this keeps deer focused on something other than me as I usually am hunting off the ground.  
What are your decoy experiences?
Tim

[zepnut]

Personally I never had luck with them.

[sfh761]

Like anything else, sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. It's a lot of fun when they work! I had one good buck for my area actually attack my decoy and try to knock it over. I've had other bucks approach up close, stiff-legged, puffed up, and ears laid back. Does seem to be more suspicious of the buck decoys, but sometimes they'll approach a doe decoy up close. I've had best results with full body decoys vs. flat sided ones. I've also had best luck placing decoys over open areas with good visibility.

[old_goat2]

In the areas I hunt where your sitting in Cottonwoods and you look like a sore thumb sticking off the side of the tree, they really help keeping the deer's eyes occupied and basically it allows you to move. If you even flex your hand before they can see the decoy, they will pick you off! I only use them during the rut though, after the rut I don't bother and they seem to only work on bucks in my experience!

[Slickhead]

I have one but dont use it anymore.
I agree they can be benificial, but I hate dragging it in the woods.

Funny story though.
9 years ago I was using it on public ground.
An older man with a crossbow stalked withing 40 yds of it (often raising his xbow)
I was gonna let him shoot it ,as I wanted to see the reaction.
He finally realized it was plastic... then he started looking around.
Once he spotted me in the tree he walked away without waving or nodding his head.
I could hardly keep it together in the stand  

[Slickhead]

as an FYI I always add a white piece of cloth or toilet paper to the tail
Something that will move in a breeze
really adds to the usefulness
Dang, now I may have to get it out of storage  

[Bldtrailer]

They really work in the rut I have shot 3 bucks over a doe decoy. The bucks never looked my way just kept  eyeing the "lady"

[Bldtrailer]

sorry double post

[TIM B]

Haha- good discussion y'all
Slick - get that thing back out
Sometimes during the rut I'll make a drag line w urine to the decoy too

[mark Willoughby]

I'm going to go dig mine out now lol

[RAGHORN 3]

Which decoy brand do you guys prefer?

[TIM B]

I've been using the flambeau "ready doe" I think it's called.  It's just a full body doe.  I screwed a piece if para cord to the belly so I can carry it pretty easy.  

What are you boys thoughts on which direction to face your decoy?