Hello, I have always been a conservative hunter, just hunted funnel points and trails. I bought a decoy last year (buck) and threw it out a few times but am not sure how effective they are. I hunt a lot of public land and our private land. But I am unsure if a guy does more damage or good? My neighbor said he has had some exciting hunts with his. Are they more/less effective in places with higher buck to doe ratios? Thanks guys...opinions? Go vikes!!!
I've only used a decoy a limited number of times in the big woods. Partially because it's so thick in most of the spots that I hunt that it doesn't off much of an opportunity for deer to see it and be drawn in to it. I do use it on occasion though and have one spot in particular where I'm itching to try it out this year, it conditions line up. In general, I believe they work better in areas with higher buck ratios.
I use a doe decoy quite often during the rut. Bucks love them but does stand back 30 or 40 yards and blow at them.
There have been at least 2 occasions while rattling that I wished I had put one out. I rattled in the biggest buck of my life from across a field. He stopped on the edge of the timber 60yds and just stared. When he didn't see anything he did a big circle to get wind. Didn't end well. If he would have seen a decoy I'm 99% sure I would have gotten a shot. He was pi$$ed
Cool encounters can definitely happen but you have to read the deer that you're hunting. If you see that they are acting rutty consistently give it a shot but if some deer are and some aren't I wouldn't risk it. I'd rather watch a big buck walk another day than to educate him with a decoy and never see him again
