Any tips on when or when not to use a deer decoy (doe or buck)? I will be hunting now until rifle starts, just before peak rut. Also good placement of a decoy in relation to a heavily used trail and my stand? Thanks
When I use a buck decoy, I always have it facing towards my stand. Most bucks will circle around a buck decoy and come at it head on. This will present you with a perfect 45 degree shot (or should). I'm sure there are some bucks that will come up behind another buck but I'm not sure I want to eat that one anyway!
i started using one last year, its a doe. i had good luck with it, if i saw deer they almost always showed interest. i think if nothing else it works to calm the deer i think. i always placed her 20 yards or so out looking toward me.
You can have good luck using decoys about 2 weeks before the rut through about 2 weeks after the rut. Keep them with in 20 yards of your stand.
I’ve heard many hunters complain that it will scare does away in the early season, also I've heard that bucks with almost always circle downwind of it, so place it where the deer will not wind you. I tried one last year but never saw a deer while I had it out. So I personally can’t tell you if it works. I may try it since I’m not hunting does just yet. I like my does so that they bring the bucks in later.
