What is the best way to use a decoy( buck or doe bedded or standing) I have never used a decoy before but I want to start using them my friends say they work really good. When is the best time? Should the deer be faceing towards you or away from you. I'm guessing away because the deer would look in your direction wondering what its looking at.
If you do a search you will find this topic covered several times. Opinions vary greatly (just like anything else ). I've had good luck bringing in deer (both does and bucks) to my stand with decoys. Overall I've had much more luck having my decoy be a doe. Keep in mind wind direction and understand that if your decoy is a doe a buck will approach the decoy from the backside of the deer. Likewise if your decoy is a buck a buck will approach from the front. Always keep in mind scent control when using a decoy. Rubber gloves is a good idea when touching your decoy. I put mine outside for a week or two before using it. The biggest key to decoying is to make sure you put the decoy in a place where it will be spotted from far away. If a deer is too close to a decoy before noticing I'm found the deer will spook. I use mine on field edges typically. But quite honestly, I've harvested several deer (both bucks and does) while gun hunting over decoys. But for bowhunting. I've had deer come in but either they would not get close enough or they did not give me a shot. I know decoys work but the jury is out for me yet how much they can help in my bow hunting situations. I'm leaning more and more getting away from field edges while bow hunting these days so it really doesn't apply to me all that much anymore. Bottom line is a decoy can either bring deer to you or scare them away. If you decoy correctly they probably will bring more deer closer to you than scare away.
I used a decoy last year for the first time when i went to Kansas to hunt. the first time I used it nothing happened.the second time I used it ( both times i used a buck decoy) I had a buck come in from the front and circled to behind my decoy and sniffed his rear, and I was able to put an arrow thru him. I used a primos scarface that I bought at wally world for 50 bucks.
I've used many setups, Buck only, Buck & Doe, & Doe only. IMO when it is going to work it will probably work regardless of what decoy you have in front of you. Most of the time anymore I just use a Doe only. It is easier to deal with I've killed several Bucks by decoying and watched dozens put on a show. I only use one for 2 to 3 weeks around rut. Dan
