Would you use a Buck Decoy in hardwoods? The main area I hunt is all hardwoods surrounded by small pines. The deer are within 20 yards of me when they come in. A few times I have had bucks come to the edges of the hardwoods and not come in. I was thinking a Buck Decoy would lure them in. What do you guys think?
Do you think there is a chance the decoy would startle them as they walk up or are they stopping on the edge to scan for other deer?
I think they stopped on the edge to scan for deer. Where I have my set hung, the deer are within 20 yards when they come in. My goal is to get the big buck I am after to walk in when he sees the decoy. Just curious if it would work.
If it was me I would try it. I like getting agressive during the rut. It works on some bucks and not others. Have you noticed if he is agressive towards other bucks? If he is then give it a shot. Also make sure your not down wind of the decoy, if he is smart old buck he will circle it down wind before coming in.
Where I would place the decoy, the buck would have to walk between me and him to get down wind of him. I am on the edge of a ridge that drops off behind me. If he circled down wind too far he would lose sight of the decoy. It is really thick behind me. I think it may work.
Sounds like a good setup, I also like to use steep drop offs and banks as natural funnels. It can work great. It's sounds that if he has to walk past you to get down wind then you can shoot him before he bust you as long he is the first buck thru. I have also had buck go out of the way thru thick stuff that is almost impossible to walk , just to get down wind. You just have to hope that his agressive nature will take over and he heads straight to the decoy.
Yeah I know. He has not shown any aggressive behavior yet. Even towards little bucks. Here are some pics I got from my trail cam when I pull the card yesterday. I am leaning towards trying it tomorrow.
