Decoys

[user 14220]

Anyone use full size decoys near there stands or blind? Did you like the results?

 

[Mike Belt]

I seldom use it but I do a couple of times during the season and usually only during the rut. I'm still waiting on the "all out attack" on my deke by another buck though. I have drawn them in within a few feet of my deke and a few times even nose to nose. I always set up mine as a buck. I've never had any luck using it as a doe. What I've seen more often than not is that at the very least you have a chance at stopping a buck long enough to give you a shot if needed. Also in most cases it seems to spook does.

I generally set mine up facing me at a 45 degree angle to my position. Reason being is that a buck will tend to approach another buck head on rather than from the rear. Often he'll be so concentrated on the deke that he won't pay much attention to you or any slight movements you might make. This also "swings" him around the decoy possibly giving you a broadside shot.

Ironically, the 3 D targets (all set up as bucks) I have positioned in my backyard regularly get attacked, especially pre-rut into the rut. A couple have been torn up so bad I've had to replace them.

 

[Mr_TTT2]

Have you ever put any orange on the decoy? I never used one but since I hunt on public land, don't want any other hunters to shoot in my direction. Also, how do you make them scent free or less fake?

 

[Mike Belt]

I always hunt private land and I don't expect anyone else to be taking shots at my deke but you never know 100% that it won't happen. I have carried mine with an orange vest on it but I finally just painted a couple of orange streaks on it's sides. The deer pay no attention to that. For a couple of years I used one of those battery operated tail wagers but they didn't last long and eventually got to making a clicking sound I was afraid would spook a deer. I just tuck a white paper towel into the rear of my deke now. If there's any wind it will blow lightly and that movement catches a real buck's eye drawing him to my decoy. I use an 8 point rack that might score 100". Smaller racks don't seem to attract the bucks and if they're too big they may intimidate some of them. I may use a scent away type spray on my deke but I never apply any type of attractant type scent directly on it. If I use any it's placed on the ground under it or maybe on that paper towel. In placing the deke I always attempt to place it quartering towards me but try to take into consideration the direction any bucks I may see may come from. I try to place it as much broadside to that direction as I can assuring they will see it.

 

[hitek7]

Only takes a slight wind to jiggle a piece of toilet paper hanging from his tail...

 

[Timber Ghost]

Interesting, I have wanted to try one.

 

[Matador]

I have used them for the last 10-15 year during month of Nov. I usually use a doe decoy and I have had several bucks approach them. What I really like is the fact that I've never had a buck not stop and look. That gives you the additional time to evaluate and to make a good shot. When you are hunting an old road or firebreak with a good crossing it really helps. I dont like lugging a decoy around so I made some out of the plastic politician signs . Spray painted them brown and attached them to a tobbaco stick and keep 4-5 close to different stands laying on ground or in shooting house. If I want to use one just stand it up and hammer tobacco stick into the ground. I promise you they will stop deer. You get one stole you haven't lost much. Several guys on our lease use them

 

[RS]

Here's what happened to my decoy last year. This buck knocked the decoy head about 10 feet to the left of the body.
This was Kansas, I don't use them in TN.

 

[DRSJ35]

i might give it a try.I have often wondered.

 

[buckaroo]

They work good during the rut, and they work in Tennessee