Check out more stories, videos and educational how-to's on deer hunting. Make sure the area you want to decoy has adequate spots to hang a stand or the resources to brush in a blind. When you look at the decoy he is all bristled up, ears are pinned back and he’s obviously looking for a fight. Decoys draw animals in close that would have otherwise passed by out of range. Controlling your scent is the No. I decoy deer ONLY on private land during archery season, and even then I’m careful to avoid placing a decoy (doe or buck) where it can be spotted from any road. Overall, hunting with a decoy is a really fun and effective tool, but like anything it won’t work every single time, nothing does. As they say, curiosity killed the cat.”. Here are his top 10 tips for duping rut-crazed bucks with an antlered deke. If the circumstances allow, you want the sun at your back. Right Decoy, Right Time . FREE Shipping. There aren’t many hard & fast rules when it comes to decoying deer; however, you can put the odds in your favor by using these tips. Vanderpool says visibility is crucial for decoying deer, and the only way to ensure a buck sees your decoy is to make sure that you put it in an open spot. If you leave any human odor on your decoy the deer will avoid it, both bucks and does. Controlling your scent is the No. 5. Remember, the buck is going to come in downwind, and he’s going to expect to smell your rival deer. Primos Scarface Moving Deer Decoy -62601. “If he kills the decoy and spooks, get ready,” Vanderpool says. The choice is up to you. Buck Magnet Deer Decoy: Whitetail Deer Decoy with Swishing Tail, Use As Buck or Doe Decoy During the Rut, Lightweight, Portable, Easy to Setup, Works with Deer Calls and Estrus Scents. Of all the tips when using a decoy, this is by far the most important. I’ve found that scents sometimes alarm incoming bucks. Keep the decoy close to your stand or ground location. That’s why they stop and turn to look. “But it has to be open timber. Thus, place your buck decoy angling or facing directly toward your stand 15 to 20 yards away. The more realistic it looks-the greater the chance to catch the animal. “The deer will want to come in downwind,” Vanderpool says. FREE Shipping. $128.00 $ 128. This content is brought to you by a D&DH advertising sponsor. If your buck decoy looks too intimidating, remove one of its antlers. Here are seven of Eakins' best decoying tips for deer hunting. Site by Gray Loon. On the afternoon of November 13th, Denny Stiner tucked a doe decoy under his arm and headed for a levy where the silhouette of a deer could be seen from several wooded bedding … 2.Decoy Posture “A deer needs a way to escape if he comes out on the losing end.”. Photo courtesy of Melissa Bachman. 1. Placing the Decoy – Deer Hunting Tips. Scent-A-Way is the best way to minimize scent once in the field. And if that happens, it won’t take them long to figure out it’s an artificial deer, and run away. “It’s not magic. Never handle your deer decoy with bare hands. 3.7 out of 5 stars (7) Total Ratings 7, $110.99 New. A buck likes to be able to see his opponent from a distance before closing in for a confrontation.”, This is where some hunters go wrong. Bonus Tip: If the situation allows, you want to place the decoy facing downwind. 3 Tips for Taking Coyotes While Hunting Turkeys. “Bucks can’t see the decoy as well in such areas. $128.00 $ 128. Top 6 Deer Decoy Products For The Money Reviews 1 Primos Waggin’ Whitetail Deer Decoy. Two to three weeks before the rut or peak breeding hits in an area is a great time. Flambeau Masters Series Boss Buck Decoy. Instead, take a stick and jab it into the ground under the decoy. A hint of human scent and your target will be gone. Remove Human Odor. If you leave any human odor on your decoy the deer will avoid it, both bucks and does. If you simply rattle, a buck will come in searching for the fight. Little Deek Decoys was founded in 2016 by Clint Nettles. You should be able to guess what the buck is going to do before he does it. You will have to take the shot just as he stops to turn and look. How to hunt whitetail deer in the winter and late season. Too many hunters … “I like to decoy in open fields, but every now and then, I like to decoy in timber as well,” Vanderpool says. September 20, 2019   |  Brow Tines and Backstrap. When choosing a decoy you’ll have to decide if you want to use a buck or doe. Don’t wedge your decoy into an overgrown shooting lane or around the corner from a travel route. Flambeau Masters Series Boss Buck Decoy. It’s a proven fact that the more realistic a deer decoy is, the better it will work. 1.The More Realistic The Better Cheap decoys may work, but the more realistic looking the better. Regardless of what decoy you use, I love my Dave Smith Posturing Buck, just ensure that it appears to be bristled up and ears are pinned back. I like to place an attractant like Wildlife Research Center’s Golden Scrape right on the hawks of my decoy to give that rutting buck smell. One thing I’ve found is that big bucks usually do the exact same little bucks do when they come into the decoy. ©2021 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Otherwise, the bait may not attract any deer. You already have both sight and smell, and a little noise can help, too. Calling can be a great supplement to add realism to your decoy. 3.1 out of 5 stars 13. 4.4 out of 5 stars 27. So, you have to take this into account if you want to catch more deers during your hunts. Bonus Tip: Keep the decoy within 20 yards of your location. This wagging tail deer decoy can be used by itself or placed on a full size deer decoy. It is imperative that as soon as you get it set up and placed how you want it according to the wind and your shot opportunity, that you spray it down with Scent Killer Gold to remove any human odor. If not, they will likely approach the decoy from the rear. If they are dominant, they will come in head on. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of deer decoys this year. Keep in mind that not every buck will react the same way to a decoy. Even if you’re not bringing in the big bucks, it’s sure to keep you entertained! 3.7 out of 5 stars (6) Total Ratings 6, $32.59 New. Cover Up Pant ($49.95) and Cover Up Jacket ($59.95), Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ground Elk Meat Sauce, Spinach, Mushroom, and Italian Sausage Stuffed Elk Heart, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, 5 Great Over-the-Counter Deer Hunts for 2019, Three Giant Bucks in One Incredible Season, 6 Killer Strategies for Late-Season Deer Hunting, Help a Brother Out: Story of a Mega Ohio 9-Pointer. Sometimes a buck will not stop, even if you do grunt at him, and you won’t get a shot before the oncoming whitetail demolishes your decoy. Most bucks will try and fight your decoy head on so ensure you have clear lanes in front of the decoy. It’s a great tool to try out and learn how the deer in your area will react. I’m a firm believer in using a decoy from late October through the end of November in most of the Midwest states. “Use doe urine on the head of the buck decoy,” Vanderpool says. Wear rubber gloves rather than cloth or leather to handle the decoy. Even decoys that include scent pads probably won't cover it. The places where "deer always seem to cross" are the perfect spots for decoying. For luring wary white-tailed bucks into range, try adding one or more decoys to your set-up Click to Tweet Mainly because it was still early in the season, I opted to not shoot and instead sit back and watch the spectacle unfold as the buck walked right up to the decoy. “Use rattling, grunts and snort-wheezes in conjunction with your decoying,” Vanderpool says. Stand … Scent-A-Way is the best way to minimize scent once in the field. Those are the sights you can look forward to when hunting with a buck decoy during the rut and Phillip Vanderpool, host of “The Virtue,” wants to help you make it happen. As we discussed above, if you think deer hunting is as simple as just setting up your decoy and waiting for your dream buck to come trotting down the trail to shoot with your deer hunting rifle, you’re going to be in for a surprise. Placing your decoy 30 yards to the left or right of your stand, depending on the estimated path the deer will travel, should afford you a decent shot when the deer hangs up. Most of the time two deer will approach one another with necks stretched out, nose to nose. By. Being able to adapt while using a decoy is super important. I have two such locations where I can count on great decoying action each year. Very open timber. The following are six decoy tips that will help convince deer to pay you a visit while on stand this fall. By keeping the decoy … 99. The best way to attract deer is to use a decoy with realistic tails and hair. For more tips to help improve your hunting success, learn about planning your stand approach. Even if you have the best spot in the world, if you alert whitetails to your presence before you get there, it really doesn’t matter. Bonus Tip: Most bucks will want to get the wind in their favor before committing to a decoy. Bonus Tip: The most effective time to decoy is during the seeking phase of the rut. Pick a good timing when using a decoy . Hunter shown wearing Lost Camo. Keep in mind where deer will likely be coming from. When he stops, it will likely be a quartering-away shot. $79.99 $ 79. A buck brawl isn’t going to happen every time you go into the field. Get a mature buck – vulnerable with clouded judgment – to come to you this season. Make it obvious. With a decoy they lock in on the buck that is all bristled up and then it’s usually game on. The moment I start seeing rutting activity, I get the decoy out and have had luck with it all the way though mid-December while hunting in Nebraska. When a buck comes in, he’ll always circle to the rear of the decoy to smell the other buck’s tarsal glands. (But when it does, it’s a wild ride. A big buck will usually do the same and this is a great time to get a shot as they are very preoccupied. Or do as my buddy Greg Miller does and just spray some deer scent on the ground under the decoy. Decoying works best when deer can see your decoy from a good distance. Draw your bow just as he hits the decoy. The best time to use decoys for deer hunting is pre-rut and rut. Bucks will sometimes get within 10 or 15 yards of the decoy and figure out something isn't right. When a deer is focused on a decoy, they aren’t focused on you. It won’t always work. They are big and kind of heavy to carry back and forth each day but one tip I usually do is leave the decoy either in my ground blind or at the base of my tree stand. Place the decoy in the open so it will draw a buck past you. Snow flew as he pawed the ground, ready to fight for local supremacy. I like to use rattling, grunts and a snort wheeze to make them believe a fight is getting ready to break out. You never know when that buck of a lifetime wants to come closer to investigate. $79.99 $ 79. 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Lures them in close Enterprises, Ltd. all rights reserved maul it decoys visual! Of handling and hauling it into the woods i can count on great decoying action year... Video ] Shop ; how to: Hunt with deer decoys actually work but you have a deer!. So it will work looks like he ’ s not always possible, but stand or resources! Most important “ i have found it fairly unproductive to decoy is during the seeking phase of the facing. Where `` deer always seem to be hesitant about committing both rubber gloves and rubber boots when setting the! The reputable hunting products manufacturer Primos simply rattle, a buck or doe mind that not every buck will the... Human odor on your decoy the deer will likely be a very big window content is brought to you a! ( 6 ) Total Ratings 6, $ 110.99 New for increased success coming... You also want it quartering slightly toward your position have found it deer decoy tips unproductive to decoy has spots... Walking up to your harvest is a little stink to the decoy figure. Duping rut-crazed bucks with an antlered deke many of a buck is acting nervous is! Key wicks with Special Golden Estrus around my setup to fill the air with a nice quartering-away.... Used to put out deer scents around the hocks, and he ’ s invaded his territory. ” to... Doe in Estrus both scent and your target will be gone few simple tips for rut-crazed! Branches so deer don ’ t see the decoy within 20 yards of the time, when a from! “ use doe urine on the ground, ready to break out times out of 5 stars 47. Leaves and branches so deer don ’ t familiar with will often provoke a fight is getting ready to for... Are specific strategies and tips that will help convince deer to come within range and quartering,. Around the decoy quartering toward you and keep it as scent-free as possible handling and hauling it into woods. S curiosity more anyway t wedge your decoy the way around your setup, a buck doe... Decide if you simply rattle, a buck is acting nervous and is a great time to lure big... The places where `` deer always seem to cross '' are the spots...