However, I tend to find that does are real weary of them and will clear a whole field if they take a disliking to it. Deer decoys work because they draw deer in close that otherwise would pass by undetected. Although deer tend to fight during a wide variety of times, when the rut kicks in is when I’ve had incredible luck. Do Deer Decoys Really Work? Just wondering Montana deer decoys go to work on these hunts, and the action is heart-pounding. And while splashing your doe decoy with Tinks 69 works great during the rut, it’s unnatural during other phases of the season. Every hunt is different and knowing how, when and where to use whitetail deer decoys comes with experience. One thing I’ve found is that big bucks usually do the exact same little bucks do when they come into the decoy. Below are five common mistakes hunters often make and solutions to avoid making them. It is super important to never leave your decoy out when you’re not on stand. Using scents with decoys is a proven tactic. Whitetail Deer Hunting - Anybody use deer decoys? This content is brought to you by a D&DH advertising sponsor. My decoy will be out with me this weekend during the muzzleloading season. In fact, decoys typically don't work well on does except when using a fawn decoy in conjunction with distress calling in the early to late summer. Now that most of us have probably sat stand for whitetails several times already, here are some ways to give yourself an advantage by using a deer decoy. It is imperative that as soon as you get it set up and placed how you want it according to the wind and your shot opportunity, that you spray it down with Scent Killer Gold to remove any human odor. November 1, 2004. This is also the best way to bring a buck from a long distance in a hurry. Those are the learning experiences. The problem is they have an even better sense of smell. They will also parallel walk your decoy so I like to keep mine a little closer so even if they stay 10 yards behind my decoy, I still have a close enough shot with a bow. But all this changes when they’re in rut. Before and after the rut, set them on the edges of feed fields, along major trails or near bedding areas. It’s Time to Redefine What it Means to ‘Do Our Part’ as Hunters. I like to place an attractant like Wildlife Research Center’s Golden Scrape right on the hawks of my decoy to give that rutting buck smell. This way it looks like he’s been beat up before and is a little less scary. © 2021 Montana Decoy, Inc. All rights reserved. If it didn’t work for you in the past, remember decoys aren’t foolproof and bucks can sometimes see through them. Deer decoys are effective when used correctly. I’ve tried positioning my decoy in various ways hoping to change my shot angle. When they don’t see anything, they usually sense danger and you need to make a quick shot if the opportunity is there. In the evening, I’ll use the same approach. Decoys work very well under the right situations The “Chase Phase” is my favorite time of year to do this. Though deer form social groups, most of the time it's for protection. Have a decoy handy on any hunt and deploy it often to maximize your chances. When you look at the decoy he is all bristled up, ears are pinned back and he’s obviously looking for a fight. If you are hunting a field or clear cut, place it on a field edge that is visible from as many of the likely travel routes as possible. Decoys are like any other piece of gear you use while hunting. Before & after rut set them on the edges of feed fields, along major trails or near bedding areas. Hunting. — PAID PARTNER CONTENT. In general, I think the deer should be … This is their sense of smell. I also place key wicks with Special Golden Estrus around my setup to fill the air with a doe in estrus. And if he's looking to mate, entice him in with an estrus doe decoy. If you’re afraid that the buck looks too tough and may spook deer away, take one antler off. But they can also spook deer when used incorrectly. Also, if your decoy has human odors, it’s a red flag that something is not right to approaching bucks. The deer take one look an come right on into the field. You’ll spook does coming in to feed. Next, once you’ve fooled their ears you need to trick their eyes. Rattling and grunting can attract deer to your location. The deer decoy would do a lot when it comes to trapping the deer to where you are, but your scent should also be covered. If you simply rattle, a buck will come in searching for the fight. Guideline 3: Scent Solutions. Make Whitetails Do A Double-Take – Keys To Bringing Bucks To Decoys. Hunters tuck the decoy in the corner of a field or on the downslope of a ridge because that’s where traffic is most prevalent. Also, if your decoy has human odors, it’s a red flag that something is not right to approaching bucks. We hope these decoying tips shorten the learning curve and give you confidence to use deer decoys this season. A dominant buck does not like seeing another buck in his area showing signs of dominance. Deer Decoying's 7 Sins Decoys can work for sure. You’ve got some attractant deer scents out in a rut or an early season pre rut situation. The trouble is some big mature bucks have been around the block and they will use their last and most important sense to ensure everything is right. Should you use a buck decoy, doe decoy, or both? These final pieces really help seal the deal as you now have fooled 3 out of 5 of their senses, and even the smartest oldest bucks usually fall for this setup. By Les Davenport. Deer decoys give the hunter the added advantage of “placing” a buck in an area where the hunter can make the best shot. With a decoy they lock in on the buck that is all bristled up and then it’s usually game on. After hunting over a deer decoy, I’ve found a few simple tips for increased success. Before learning how to use a decoy, you need to learn how not to use. How Can You Know They Really Attract Other Deer and Provoke Reactions? They know there would be no turkeys there if there was any danger. You don’t have to overdo it, but mixing in a bleat when using a doe decoy or a grunt with a buck decoy can sell your strategy to apprehensive bucks. A. I’m a big fan of trying to fool as many of a buck’s senses as possible. No. Buck decoys are most effective during the late pre-rut and heart of the rut. Deer decoys work well because deer have great eyesight. In fact, deer are pretty good at ignoring each other most of the time. The key to using the decoy is to have additional methods too such as calls. Unfortunately, deer often focus on your exact whereabouts, presenting a front angled shot and making drawing the bow difficult. Decoys work best when set up in areas of high deer travel. 10 Pro Tips for Deer Hunting with Decoys By Josh Honeycutt author of Brow Tines and Backstrap October 11, 2019. If you have a situation where you’re adding a ground blind to a new location and having to hunt it that same day, you probably know how difficult that can be. I place mine several hundred yards away in the middle of the field or on the other side. Decoys do not work very well in heavy cover or in areas where the terrain hides the decoy from the deer’s view. Observing deer behavior can give you a better idea of what decoy setup to use. Either will do a good job of bringing in a buck. So make sure you add some natural scent to your decoy to help minimize the risk. However, I think that a full bodied doe would work better. Commit to using a decoy and pack it with you on every hunt. I’ve always preferred using a buck for the simple reason that bucks seem more apt to leave a doe to fight than to get another doe in my experience. The help grab the attention of the deer so you can take your shot. Hunting. Latest. They will, if set up correctly, draw in the game and they will calm down the game you’re hunting. They are lightweight, compact and set up quickly. It would be a shame to buy a decoy, not use it and wonder “what if.”. Even if you’re not bringing in the big bucks, it’s sure to keep you entertained! Instead of applying scent attractants to the decoy, place them on the ground below it, or on a towel that you can clip on to the decoy that will simulate the animals tail. The experience of the hunters’ community proves the effectiveness of deer decoys. When deer get in close to the decoy, the last thing you want is for them to get a whiff of human odor. And while splashing your doe decoy with Tinks 69 works great during the rut, it’s unnatural during other phases of the season. More Hunting. There are times when everything works out perfectly and the deer come in on a string. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, High School Teacher Shoots Moose and Has Students Process It. They are big and kind of heavy to carry back and forth each day but one tip I usually do is leave the decoy either in my ground blind or at the base of my tree stand. You do a game call sequence of either grunting, rattling or both. Usually, he is looking to feed near other deer, dominate other bucks, socialize or mate. Big buck comes into a decoy! The decoys on the other hand can work in your favor most of the time. Almost every hunter has experienced this first scenario. Using scents with decoys is a proven tactic. In some states where mature bucks seem to be larger in size, using a small buck decoy can work wonders. Store decoys in a scent-proof bag and set them up using latex gloves. And of course always make sure that it is free of human odor. Why Decoys Work. The more you understand how to use them the better they will perform. Being able to adapt while using a decoy is super important. If he's looking to feed near another deer, set up a feeding doe decoy. Or, they use it once, fail to see results and never use it again. Movement is great If he's aggressive and ready to dominate other bucks, get him riled up with a young buck decoy. Early season deer decoying advice from the late outdoor writer Gary Clancy that's worth heeding. It’s a great tool to try out and learn how the deer in your area will react. Now that we’ve covered how you can use a decoy effectively, we will next cover the best makes and models of deer decoys on the market today: Flambeau Grazing Doe Decoy. So for example if you have a little buck come in and wouldn’t be able to get a shot due to a limb or something in the way, fix it. Phillip Vanderpool loves decoying in big bucks, and he shared his best advice with us just in time for the rut . I have a pair of Renzo feeding doe decoys that have shown some success. One of the most common questions hunters have is do deer decoys really work. Deer decoys work best when set up in areas of high deer travel. Yes they do. That's not to say that a doe decoy or two set up in a field during the early archery season won't help convince other does that it's safe to come out and feed. I’ve had bucks come within 10-yards of the blind year after year immediately after putting it up and they never even paid attention to the new blind. You've got some attractant deer scents out in a rut or an early season pre rut situation. That way when I go out to hunt early the next morning I’m not trying to guess where he goes, the post is already there and I just adjust his position according to the wind. Other times, the reaction may not be what you expect. This will work for bucks who are more aggressive. They are usually quite light, so not packing and using one exposes you to missed opportunities. Also watch if the little bucks find something to rub their antlers on or show dominance. During the rut set them up near scrape or rub lines, but use caution near bedding areas to avoid polluting the … When Lessons Learned in the Wild Find Their Way into Regular Life . A friend agreed last year to let them put a decoy near an intersection of two gravel roads and it was shot at 3 times in the one night the did it. For those of you not inclined to use TWO decoys — most of the time, I will say I use one decoy and most of the time, it is a buck decoy. Using scents and calls can add realism to your decoy setup, but when used wrongly can sabotage your efforts. Most bucks will try and fight your decoy head on so ensure you have clear lanes in front of the decoy. Does, fawns and young bucks will often ramble straight into a well placed decoy, scent placed out properly or … If you see deer chasing and cruising for does, the time is right. I cover it up with leaves and branches so deer don’t see it and leave the decoy post in the ground. By Gary Clancy. This happens a lot, especially during the rut when bucks are harder to pattern. When choosing a decoy you’ll have to decide if you want to use a buck or doe. Many decoys have built-in features to help with adding natural deer scent. Deer decoys do work and they can work very well. You do a game call sequence of either grunting, rattling or both. Further, they can be used in numerous set-up scenarios. If you leave any human odor on your decoy the deer will avoid it, both bucks and does. Do Whitetail Decoys Also Work On Mule Deer? Bucks of all ages will tolerate each other. Another great tip for using new ground blinds is to ensure you’ve sprayed them down with Scent Killer Gold as well as your chairs and anything else you may bring into the blind. A little Tinks wouldn’t hurt during the rut. The decoys work. Using a Deer Decoy during the Pre Rut Pre rut is a favorable time to arrow a trophy buck as they tend to scrapes and rubs, increase their protein intake for the upcoming rut, and even sniff the air a bit more checking for a doe in estrus. We advise you to use a realistic-looking 3D model, which is much more effective than a flat, 2D style decoy. Even if you’re not bringing in the big bucks, it’s sure to keep … I haven't any experience using them to lure deer, but I knowhere in Kansas the game wardens use them and they sure work to catch poachers! Do deer decoys always improve the chances of attracting a buck? Deadly Deer Decoys. Decoys work best in open areas where the deer can see the decoy and come to it on their own terms. If in the woods, put them at least 200 ft away. The answer to this is a resounding yes, as there are a wide range of different deer decoys out there that can help you successfully lure in … A doe decoy set up in the lane may be just the ticket to draw a buck over and give you a shot. Q. Yet, they are still in a fairly predictable pattern as they move from bedding areas to food sources. If you use a buck decoy too early or too often, you could steal its thunder. There are tons of tricks and tactics that people have come up with over the years to improve their chances of success on big whitetails, but decoys are one of my absolute favorite. I’m a firm believer in using a decoy from late October through the end of November in most of the Midwest states. Overall, hunting with a decoy is a really fun and effective tool, but like anything it won’t work every single time, nothing does. It’s nothing but dense timber and you have just one shooting lane. Mastering the art of a deer decoy takes time. Hunting. Do Deer Decoys Work? Deer hate seeing something new in the area, but I’ve found if you pair this with a decoy, all the deer’s attention goes to the decoy and they don’t even notice the new blind. Hunters sometimes buy a decoy before the season starts, but never utilize it on a hunt. Regardless of what decoy you use, I love my Dave Smith Posturing Buck, just ensure that it appears to be bristled up and ears are pinned back. Sure, sometimes you can throw up a decoy and have a buck charge right in, but your odds are better when you give your strategy some thought. An Introduction to Using Deer Decoys. Based on the time of year and scouting information, try to determine what is motivating buck behavior and use the proper decoy setup to cater to his interests. The moment I start seeing rutting activity, I get the decoy out and have had luck with it all the way though mid-December while hunting in Nebraska. (Escaping any feeding area at day’s end is easier if a friend bumps deer away with a vehicle as legal light ends.) I’ve never found that big bucks insist on getting downwind of decoys, as many do when coming to rattling. However, I know a number of very good bowhunters who decoy a lot of deer and prefer a doe decoy. Of all the tips when using a decoy, this is by far the most important. When hunting in timber, select the highest spot within bow range to place your decoy(s). The first thing is to make sure all foreign odors are removed from the decoy before hunting. Bass Pro has one that can be a doe or buck for $100.00. This is where the decoy comes in handy. Overall, hunting with a decoy is a really fun and effective tool, but like anything it won’t work every single time, nothing does. Maybe not all the time but they work enough to make them a part of your hunting gear. If your decoy smells like you they will never go near it. Boy do they work! When bucks are cruising, the decoy needs to be visible from greater distances. Don’t use decoys in feeding fields during the afternoon. Almost every hunter has experienced this first scenario. I like to use rattling, grunts and a snort wheeze to make them believe a fight is getting ready to break out. 10 Tips for the Deadly Art Of Decoying Deer. It sits in their shed or remains folded up in their pack. Say you’re hunting whitetails on public land. If there’s a general rule, it’s this: Used wisely, a doe decoy can work during the pre-rut, rut and post-rut — all season. Spray the decoy with scent killing product frequently. People often ask me the question, ‘do decoys work’ and I always answer the same. Just like a deer spooks when he keeps hearing a call, but doesn’t see a decoy, he may become suspicious if your decoy doesn’t have some scent or vocalizations accompanying it. Mark Kayser 09.11.17. After years of realizing that decoying bucks may be my absolutely favorite way to hunt whitetails, I know that I’m constantly learning. Do They Work? I have to position the 2 does at a 90 degree angle to each other, so that they can be seen...no matter the angle of the approaching deer. - Thinking of buying one. Deer decoys work when the deer are wary of your calls. During the rut, set them up near scrape or rub lines, but use caution near bedding areas to avoid polluting the … It’s a great tool to try out and learn how the deer in your area will react. There’s no better feeling when you set the perfect decoy scene and have big bucks come charging in to investigate. As for the smell, this is where much attention should be given. 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