Decoying...bring him in or run him off?

[Guest member 25165]

For those of you that decoy deer, what have your results been? What decoys have you used? What has your set up been?

Thinking about purchasing a Montana decoy that is nice and portable but something is holding me back from dropping the cash on it.

 

[kenton]

I've used decoys for deer quite often and I love doing it but you have to understand that decoys are going to scare off some deer. You just have to know that from the get-go, some deer will be spooked. With that said, when used properly hunting over a decoy can be awesome.

 

[beginnerhunter]

I'm going to try it this year. The Montana is portable enough to take it with you. I used a gift card to buy it in case it sucks. But there are a lot of vids of deer coming up to them without spooking. No doubt, some will be spooked, kinda like a mojo duck lol.

 

[opslt79]

I've used my Flambeau decoy for years and have seen it pull bucks in from over 300 yards out. It doesn't work every time and it can be a little bulky when you're carrying a bow and pack but you i'm willing to do the extra work during the right time of the year. I generally set up along a treeline and place the decoy in a picked bean or corn field. If possible, I set it at about 40 yards up wind of my stand and have it facing me so any approaching challenger will pass between me and the decoy at about 20-25 yards. One of my most memorable hunts was an average 8-point that I took using this setup. I first saw the deer when it was about 500 yards away on the opposite side of a picked corn field. When he was about 250 yards out he saw the decoy and came right to it. I was in a small tree on a sparse fence row and I never would have been able to draw or shoot if the buck wasn't completely locked into the decoy. Not only did the decoy attract that deer but it kept his attention while I bumped around in my stand.

 

[Muskeez]

I have used a full body decoy for the past 4 years. Similar results as opslt79. I use it every chance I get from Oct. 31 till late Nov. I just think it works the best during the rut so I don't use it before then so as not to educate deer (if that is possible). It has been a game changer for me. I have a lot of pictures and videos of bucks pacing all around my decoy and 3 of them have charged it and broken it into pieces. I set mine at 25 yards away, facing me, and have killed my last 3 bucks with it. Last years buck actually went around the back side of it instead of in front of it, which is unusual. Normally they will come in from the front or sides and their ears will be laid back and their hair will all be on end and they are pissd that another buck is in their territory. I keep mine very clean and as scent free as possible. I store it under a cedar tree near my hunting location for that month. Never leave it out unattended, a buck will trash it when you aren't there. I only use it in areas where the deer can see it from 50 yards away or more. It seems like it startles them sometimes if it is set up in thick cover and they come up on it too close too quickly. Some deer do keep their distance, but I feel that during the rut the pros outweigh the cons.

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

I was waiting on Muskeez to chime in, I knew he had some input on this with his success using one. I agree 100 %, try to keep it scent free, use in an area it can be seen at distance...sometimes if its right on them when they see it they will spook a little, if I notice the deer are "stand offish" I will attach a skinny strip of white cloth to the tail area so the wind will give it the tail "flick" that says its all ok. If you catch it right, it will be one the best experiences in the woods. (I use the rattling horns with the same results too) Good luck and have fun.

 

[1_pointer]

I agree with the above. If you are using a doe decoy face it away from you. Bucks they want to mean mug, does they want the other end...