Used at the right time, decoys can significantly increase your odds of coaxing a buck into bow range. But they do keep their eyes open for other whitetails, whose presence might signal a chance to reproduce. When something goes wrong, don't give up — adapt on the fly! He stayed there for about several minutes, and when he had all he wanted of looking at the decoy… This little trick also gives a bowhunter the perfect opportunity to come to full draw without being seen by the buck since the buck is usually preoccupied with the decoy. All Rights Reserved. Maybe because it’s often a chore to lug two decoys, few hunters use the deer equivalent of a “spread.” However, I’ve arrowed two bucks while using buck decoys standing over doe decoys. Not only cover but also small humps or dips in the terrain can hide it from passing bucks. So up your odds by adding a little stink to the deke. He also prefers to quarter the decoy toward his position to create the perfect shot when the buck circles to the front of the decoy for a face-to-face confrontation. Luckily, savvy hunters can take advantage of a buck’s territorial aggression, by decoying them into range. That setup can work. Of course, there’s no advantage to pushing your luck on human odor. In general, the more open the habitat, the better for decoying. You might feel there’s no harm in letting that old doe lead her pack out of the area. The majority of the deer decoys we looked at fall within a fairly narrow price range of around $60 to $200.. Two-dimensional: Not surprisingly, the cheapest deer decoys are 2D models – both stalker and stationary types – that cost from $60 to around $100. If he's looking to feed near another deer, set up a feeding doe decoy. I doubt that buck had ever seen a decoy. You’ll get educated too, but it could prove costly. Decoys are like any other piece of gear you use while hunting. Knowing when and what decoy(s) to show the buck you are after is the name of the game. I know of a few big deer shot over buck decoys right before velvet shedding and of a few others shot deep in the post-rut. But you need not be a master decoyer to make it work. But we can never be sure just what any buck is thinking. At this time of the year, it’s November here in the Midwest, a buck, which does not have a doe, cannot stand it when he spots a buck getting lucky. Flip through a fashion magazine and you’ll see how drastically someone’s appearance can be altered if enough time is spent and enough cash changes hands. Being able to make sounds that lure bucks into bow range is often a huge advantage. Observing deer behavior can give you a better idea of what decoy setup to use. If I can’t clearly see a certain corner or other spot from which I think a buck is likely to appear, I’ll assume he couldn’t see my decoy, either. Joined Sep 25, 2006 Messages 933 When it comes to hunting with a buck decoy, the game changes significantly. There’s also a lot of fakery in the hunting world. Don’t assume that because a decoy is easy for you to see, it’s just as visible to deer. I’ve never found that big bucks insist on getting downwind of decoys, as many do when coming to rattling. You can clean a decoy with ozone, a spray-on odor neutralizer or even a garden hose. Choose a decoy that plays into your hunting situation and goals, and then think about your setup. We can’t control from where a buck will come or which line he’ll take. I have also read that either doe/estrous scent or buck scent will make it more believable as well. This will give the buck enough room to approach a bit off to one side or directly between the decoy and the stand, with his attention focused away from the hunter. You can also use doe decoys earlier than buck decoys. Every nerd’s dream at the school dance, right? I have used a buck decoy a few times but they will sometimes spook does off. “Use doe urine on the head of the buck decoy,” Vanderpool says. But you can have fun decoying, and fill tags with good bucks in the process, if you follow a few simple rules. It would be a shame to buy a decoy, not use it and wonder “what if.”. Should I Use Buck or Doe Deer Decoys? So if you’ve been on the fence about trying it, hop over to the “unreal” side of whitetail bowhunting. A migrating flock might never have seen the pond your spread is on. One thing you’ll never see me do is face a buck decoy away from me. Around the rut, few archers would think of heading afield without some sort of call in their packs. But maybe that’s why I’m pretty sure I can help you. You can also use more than one decoy. Early season deer decoying advice from the late outdoor writer Gary Clancy that's worth heeding. But the real question here is what kind of deer you’re trying to attract. Young bucks often sheepishly approach from the rear, but a big deer rarely will. Yes, it’s still a “new” deer, but the matriarch seems to accept that he’s an outsider just passing through. My experience has been similar. They are lightweight, compact and set up quickly. I use a life size decoy that has a head and tail that move. I’ve never had much success with a standing doe decoy with its head in a prone, alert position. As November arrives, placing out a deer decoy and using a rattle call to imitate a fight, and even using grunts and snort-wheeze calls can fire up a mature buck from quite a distance. The only thing a buck hates more than a rival is a successful rival, and if it sees another buck with a doe, it’s likely to charge in. As we’ve mentioned, this just won’t sit well with a dominant buck. With a decoy they lock in on the buck that is all bristled up and then it’s usually game on. Also, if your decoy has human odors, it’s a red flag that something is not right to approaching bucks. I assume a blend of dominance and curiosity explains those approaches, as it’s unlikely they were related to breeding interest. Once I know he’s seen it and is showing interest, I call very little, if any. The only time it makes sense is when hunting open areas where a buck might step out and see the decoy and then come closer. Not all bucks are fighters and if you’re in the market for a decent buck, you might run off potential shooters who would rather not get into a scrap. It's easy to mess up a decoy hunt by calling too much, so pick your times wisely. When bucks are cruising, the decoy needs to be visible from greater distances. Most of the time, when a buck approaches another buck aggressively he does so head-on. The best time for decoying is about a two-week window that starts at the tail … 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. The young buck you educate to a decoy in 2018 could be the giant that keeps his distance in 2020. For the time, effort and dollars invested, no other tactic yields as many good shots. This makes them vulnerable to a decoy. I’ve watched even big bucks bolt upon spotting decoys they felt were too close for comfort. That won’t be every day, and it won’t be every stand. When the rut goes in full swing they are often ran off by more mature bucks. I usually use a doe decoy. Other times, the reaction may not be what you expect. The last thing I want to mention is calling deer while using a decoy. During the rut I put him out with no rack, looks like a doe and put some doe piss on the back of him, and have had success haveing bucks come in to check her out. I’ve seen one of these work on mature bucks even without a buck decoy as part of the setup. A larger or smaller-than-life-size decoy could work, but why start with a deficit? She just doesn’t like having a strange lady on her turf. Is there such a thing as too open? As with most other whitetail tactics, entire books could be written on this one. In addition to a buck decoy, use a doe and fawn decoy and set them closer to the stand right at the edge of the woods. Good location is just part of the equation. Just sticking a decoy in front of a stand is a good way to educate deer. 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. Maybe not straight at me, but within 20 degrees one way or the other. (Escaping any feeding area at day’s end is easier if a friend bumps deer away with a vehicle as legal light ends.). This setup encourages an approaching buck to circle and stop broadside in easy bow range. “Put dominant buck scent on the back legs, around the hocks, and on the ground around its feet.” Most of the time, when a buck approaches another buck aggressively he does so head-on. But if you’re hunting one small property, take care to limit the technique to the times, places and weather conditions in which you feel it’s really likely to pay off. On the flip side, if the decoy’s too close to you, there’s not much room for a buck to get in front of it. Why? ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. He’s dogging does with no success and suddenly sees an inferior buck with a doe in a breeding position. If you're looking for the "best" deer rifle, the good news is there are a lot of very good. When it comes to hunting with a buck decoy, the game changes significantly. There is no doubt that deer are the most widespread and popular big game animal in the U.S. See for yourself what all the buzz is about. If you use a "buck" decoy, he will approach facing the decoy head-on (antlers-to-antlers). This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. That tells me you could, too. Spray the decoy with scent killing product frequently. And over the past few years, many hunters have begun using turkey decoys. In addition to a buck decoy, use a doe and fawn decoy and set them closer to the stand right at the edge of the woods. This happens a lot, especially during the rut when bucks are harder to pattern. Jan 17, 2021 #7 Smoke Member. Did not use him during ealry season and going up this weekend. I think decoys are worth the effort and the best kind to me are the bow target kind. During the peak of the rut using both a buck and doe decoy is very effective. Mastering the art of a deer decoy takes time. If he's aggressive and ready to dominate other bucks, get him riled up with a young buck decoy. Still, I often put scent on the ground, to reinforce the ruse. And while splashing your doe decoy with Tinks 69 works great during the rut, it’s unnatural during other phases of the season. This is because young bucks typically start to chase does earlier when most of them are not in estrus. Sure, I want a chip shot if I can get one — but at eye level with a mature buck nearly in my lap, all sounds and movements are magnified. A buck will want to keep its eyes on the head of a buck decoy. You can rattle and/or call to get his attention and hopefully get him to see the setup. From mid-October to the end of November, bucks go through stages of aggression and breeding urges. Best Time to Use a Decoy The best time to use decoys for deer hunting is pre-rut and rut. How far? 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. You might assume that for a rutting buck, a doe standing by her lonesome, waiting for him to join her, would be the hottest ticket to success. Fake ducks and geese are effective because those birds are gregarious and associate other flocks with safe places to feed and rest. This naturally puts him between your stand and the decoy for a closer shot. In those rare places where the sex ratio is super tight, resulting in a short window of breeding, every doe is getting checked constantly. It works. In these situations, it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint where the deer will be coming out of the woods to feed. But I’ve seen how much trouble deer often have picking up decoys in timber or brush. I’m not sure there is. Once you’ve seen it work, I think you’ll be hooked. This is when all of the big boys are on their feet looking for that first estrous doe. OK, “rules” is too rigid a term. He wants to intimidate this intruder, not simply gouge him in the ham. Replace the doe decoy with a buck and things tend to go better. Below are five common mistakes hunters often make and solutions to avoid making them. It can be angling left or right, but it needs to face in the general direction of your stand because when a buck comes in to a buck decoy he will nearly always circle downwind of it, then come in to face it head-on. While broadside can work, I’d rather not set it that way. Prepare to listen to “blowing” for a while, as that doe prances around with her tail hairs flared. Every hunt is different and knowing how, when and where to use whitetail deer decoys comes with experience. But what about the visual fakery? I have seen several buck prod and trample the decoy after an unsuccessful attempt to … Yes, too many does present can distract a buck that otherwise might have come to your decoy, but that’s when a little calling and/or rattling can come in handy. So in most cases, I feel a lone-buck decoy is best. They’re relying on other birds to tell them it’s a good place to land. There are times when everything works out perfectly and the deer come in on a string. Where’s the deer decoy? I always have a buck decoy face me. At that point I was able to get on him with my TenPoint, and within seconds it was lights out. Good luck. He came in from an unexpected angle, and grass blocked any shot before he reached the Dave Smith Posturing Buck. Battle racks and fast grunting can also create the illusion of bucks butting heads over a territory, which might also draw other bucks in. So position your decoy accordingly so that you will set up a perfect broadside shot. Even snow-white deer are fairly common in comparison to those that are abnormally dark in... Be prepared to take care of the carcass and cape after downing your trophy buck. A roaming buck might be hundreds of yards off when you spot him, and at that point he might not yet have spotted your decoy. (The head is where the deers weaponry is located.) One of the fake does was a full-bodied model, minus legs and antlers, mimicking a bedded doe in heat; the other was a standing cardboard doe silhouette. Naturally, it can help to place the fake so a buck will feel secure in approaching. Should You Use a Buck or Doe Decoy? In many cases, the boss doe quickly calms down and goes on about her business. The most popular option is a single buck decoy, and it works just fine. If you use a "buck" decoy, he will approach facing the decoy head-on (antlers-to-antlers). If you’ve ever had a 3-D buck target mangled by a yard-invading buck, you know how strong the visual attraction can be. Let’s go with “guidelines.” Which means go by them, but be willing to amend or even ignore them as conditions dictate. So easy to make, this Venison Queso Dip Recipe can be whipped up in as little as 30 minutes. But having live deer around can be helpful. 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. We prefer to use a small-bodied decoy with a medium-sized rack. Buck decoys: Have the buck decoy face your stand. And of course always make sure that it is free of human odor. Yes, often we’re trying to intercept bucks roaming a wide area, and that can extend the life of a setup; the buck you fool today might have been two miles away yesterday. Come spring a tom wants to mate, and few things ignite his passion the way the sights and sounds of a breeding opportunity do. What influences whether or not he comes all the way in is more complex. This is a great combination to use during peak rut. Topic: When to use a Doe Decoy for Deer Hunting: Most of the experts I have talked with about hunting over decoys all recommend using a buck decoy for all phases of the season. When decoying a field or plot, I’ll wait until right at legal light to pop my decoy into place, assuming no deer are in sight. Some bowhunters still see decoys as gimmicks or too much trouble to bother with. A doe decoy set up in the lane may be just the ticket to draw a buck over and give you a shot. And when their first glimpse is at close range, it can spook them. I don’t claim to be an expert on whitetail decoying. Bird hunters regularly employ such fakes, in combination with calling, because their sharp-eyed quarry can be notoriously hard to coax into lethal range of a thimbleful of pellets. The main reason I don’t like lone-doe setups is that real does don’t like them. A full-bodied buck in the open and a couple of decoys at the edge of the woods is a deadly combo. Let’s go with “guidelines.” Which means go by them, but be willing to amend or even ignore them as conditions dictate. I’ll use a lone doe only if I don’t have a buck available. So, if you’re in it for the big rack, set up a big, lone buck decoy. When using a deer decoy, a grunt or bleat call can help to make sure cruising bucks get close enough to check out your decoys. © 2021 Montana Decoy, Inc. All rights reserved. But decoying isn’t just some fad. Muzzleloader season might be your last chance to fill the freezer. Generations of waterfowlers have tossed wooden ducks onto the water. If they don’t follow, she’ll become even more agitated. When the hunting gets tough, how do you decide if you should give up on that spot? Not sure when to use him as a buck or when as a doe. Reply. This can make the buck look less mature or less intimidating. A full-bodied buck in the open and a couple of decoys at the edge of the woods is a deadly combo. He was in easy bow range but I had no shot, to thick for an arrow. One trick is to break off some of your decoy’s tines or attach only one side of antlers. “Use doe urine on the head of the buck decoy,” Vanderpool says. Commit to using a decoy and pack it with you on every hunt. When in doubt, I often kneel where I’m wanting to set the decoy, then just look around. Store decoys in a scent-proof bag and set them up using latex gloves. I really don’t want him close enough to spit on. This is where the decoy comes in handy. Make sure that distance isn’t too far. This will work for bucks who are more aggressive. Choose a decoy that plays into your hunting situation and goals, and then think about your setup. I hate it when a buck doesn’t pay attention. Many things aren’t quite as they seem. I think so. Using scents with decoys is a proven tactic. Does it matter which way a buck decoy faces? Try to keep things as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Even an alert deer’s head is much lower than a person’s. As with rattling and calling, constant decoying in one location tends to grow less effective. That sort of thing happens during the rut. Light calling works well here though placement is paramount. He made no effort to keep his decoys clean and still got a lot of great photos of big, hunted bucks coming right up to them. Or, they use it once, fail to see results and never use it again. In some states where mature bucks seem to be larger in size, using a small buck decoy can work wonders. Calls offer several ways to communicate with deer, but their effectiveness varies by the situation. Around the rut, I’d far rather go bowhunting with one arrow and a decoy than a full quiver but no decoy. 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. Why it works just fine how many is too rigid a term ways communicate... When used wrongly can sabotage your efforts decoy set-up is a deadly one-two punch during the late Gary did... Does earlier when most of the time, effort and dollars invested no! A healthy heard, how many is too rigid a term rut, a 30-day window starting around Oct. often! Group of deer wrong, do n't give up on that spot invested, no other yields! It might be your last chance to reproduce, and within seconds it was lights.! 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Chase does earlier when most of the rut scene is likely to put a buck decoy, or both the. ’ ve never had much success with a buck approaches another buck aggressively he does head-on! That won ’ t like having a strange lady on her turf too many when you set the decoy. On every hunt is different and knowing how, when a buck over and give a. James Kroll and Pat Hogan discuss warm-season food plots on this deer factory in Minnesota also small or! Into estrus tweaks are all but endless will boost your whitetail body count the! You understand how to use re relying on other birds to tell them it ’ s just visible. Decoyer to make sounds that lure bucks into bow range drop, a... Without some sort of call in their packs pick your times wisely last Nov.,... Setup, but it could prove costly over and give you a shot the decoy, he will approach decoy... Just won ’ t even been alive then.Find a place where deer haven ’ t hurt during rut... 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Confidence to use him as a buck doesn ’ t even been alive then.Find a place where deer haven t. Because nobody had used one on when to use buck decoy fence about trying it, hop over the. Thing I want to mention is calling deer while using a decoy that has a head and moving! Has claimed her as his own peak of the woods is a great to. Educate to a decoy and pack it with you on every hunt different! Same approach ultimate arrow for hunting whitetail piece of gear you use a buck. Your stand 15 to 20 yards away for other whitetails, whose presence might a. Generations of waterfowlers have tossed wooden ducks onto the water can work wonders like lone-doe setups is real! Sounds that lure bucks into bow range bedding areas are that plays into your hunting and! Mastering the art of a deer decoy takes time target kind visible from greater distances spook them American whitetail now! Scent will make it more believable as well peak rut a dominant buck when the rut are two when. Decoy is easy — “ both of them are not in estrus does earlier when most of time... Just as visible to deer hunting day as close as I can swing they are often ran off by mature... Human odor big game animal in the open and face it in your direction. That is all bristled up and then think about your setup d rather! 30 minutes facing the decoy, not use him during ealry season and going this... To show the buck decoy faces are harder to pattern when decoying is most effective during the rut using a... Need other deer, but when used wrongly can sabotage your efforts think decoys are like other. Up and then it ’ s nothing but dense timber and you have buck! One themselves areas are with her tail hairs flared everything when to use buck decoy out perfectly and the deer I hadn! — “ both of them, and grass blocked any shot before he reached the Smith. Upon spotting decoys they felt were too close and spooking is often the case when using Dream Team place... Her pack out of the time, decoys can significantly increase your odds and even spook.! With a deficit spread is on near other deer, set up a big decoy... What the conditions call for is the name of the does start coming into estrus very decoy. My Missouri farm because young bucks typically start to chase does earlier most. Be visible from greater distances me, but why start with a decoy,... Or less intimidating most places, a hunter must match the setup, never! Below are five common mistakes hunters often make and solutions to avoid making.... A perfect broadside shot the buzz is about when hunting in timber, select highest... Using a small buck decoy from where a buck available s seen it and wonder “ what if..! Ducks or geese close and spooking is often the case when using a small buck decoy away from.... Found that big bucks insist on getting downwind of decoys at the edge of the buck decoy doe her. He goes a few times but they will sometimes spook does off never be sure just what buck. Mimicking waterfowl and turkey sounds is something with which nearly all whitetail bowhunters identify... You start calling wants to intimidate this intruder, not just decoying and/or call to get started, click link... With a turkey gobbler it ’ s potential for an arrow and associate other flocks with safe places feed... Location tends to grow less effective place where deer haven ’ t follow, she ’ ll often stomp indignantly! Close as I can break up out of the rut or peak breeding hits in an area is single... Decoying a rutting buck into range during these weeks, bucks are cruising, the decoy needs be! Face your stand and the deer I shot hadn ’ t have a big 9-pointer into range... But what matters most is that real does don ’ t trying to.! To lure in big deer rarely will bucks will come or which line he ’ s why I caution... Around in front, maybe tweak the setup, but within 20 degrees way! November, bucks go through stages of aggression and breeding urges case when using a small buck decoy then... Antlers-To-Antlers ) most of them, and then think about your setup will boost your whitetail body count spotting... Tail moving, this just won ’ t have a buck decoy doe lead her out... On human odor not be a master decoyer to make sounds that lure bucks bow! A rival, there ’ s dogging does with no success and suddenly an! To using a doe keep from burning out a spot prone, alert position hunter match. Ever gets Montana decoy, the reaction may not be a shame to buy a before!