Deer Decoys: How to Best Use Them to Your Advantage

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Ears pin down. Eyes roll back. Legs go stiff. Hairs stand up. It’s the quintessential response a dominant buck has before a buck decoy. And you’re seeing it firsthand. It’s quite the show, actually, and it wouldn’t be possible without deploying a fake. Within seconds, you’ll draw back, loose the arrow and fill a tag at point-blank range with all manner of intense action.

Those who hope to use deer decoys have a lot to learn. It’s a nuanced tactic that requires time on task and experience gained to master. That said, here’s a primer for using deer decoys to start your deer decoying journey.

Hands-On Scent Management

Whitetails have the best nose in America. Nothing surpasses the nostrils of this mighty cervid. Given that deer will hopefully be in close proximity to your decoys, it’s imperative to handle these with care. Never touch the decoys with your bare hands. Don’t place these in areas with heavy scents foreign to the outdoors. When deploying the decoy, wear gloves to prevent scent from contaminating it. Even when storing the decoy, do so in a way that won’t bring other scents into the material.

Once deployed in the field, add all the right smells. Use some buck and doe urine scents as needed with decoys. Why? If a deer gets downwind and smells nothing but plastic and no deer smells, it might be a red flag. Create as much realism as possible.

Important Deployment Considerations

The first consideration in decoying deer is wind. More times than not, deer see the decoy and then circle downwind of it. This allows them to identify the deer, as each one has a unique scent (Thus, the above-stated importance of adding deer scent to the decoy.

When staking the decoy, and considering your stand location, know that deer will come downwind of the setup. It’s okay if it gets downwind of the fake, but don’t let it get downwind of your own position. Maybe that means setting up your treestand or hunting blind in a spot that doesn’t allow deer to circle past you. Maybe that’s along a bluff, creek, etc.

Wind aside, you also must consider numerous other elements. One is visibility. Deer need to be able to see the decoys from afar. Plus, you want them to be able to see it from a distance and have time to process it before getting too close. It also prevents deer from stumbling upon the decoy from close range, which can sometimes lead to negative responses.

Positioning matters, too. With a bow in hand, the best way to deploy a decoy is to stake it about 10-15 yards from your position. Twenty yards can work, too, but no further. Although crossbow hunters can extend it another 5 to 10 yards. This is in case the deer hangs up at a distance and doesn’t fully commit. Hopefully, it’s still within range if it does.

Deer react differently to decoys based on their hierarchy within the herd. If the deer is more dominant, it’s likely to approach the decoy head-on. If the deer is less dominant, it’s more apt to approach the decoy from the rear.

This impacts decoy orientation. So, the decoy should be quartering toward your position. Oftentimes, after circling downwind, a mature, dominant buck’s final approach is head-on. By staking it quartering toward your position, this tends to produce a broadside or quartering-away shot opportunity.

Another location factor includes offering an escape. Don’t place the decoy in a spot that leaves approaching deer boxed in. Instead, place it in the open where deer feel they can retreat, if needed. That’s an important part of decoying bucks.

When possible, add some movement to the decoy. Do this with a decoy that has a head, neck, and/or tail that allows for motion. Oftentimes, light to moderate winds can prove enough to move the decoy. Other times, you might tie on a piece of fishing line to the tail and run it to your position to add movement to it. Regardless, slight movement in the decoy, which in most states must be mechanical and not motorized, can prove enough to convince even savvy, old bucks.

Another way to add realism is calling and rattling. Add this audible element to the picture you’re painting with a deer decoy. That can prove enough to bring deer within sight of the decoy or convince them it’s real and worth their time.

Deer Decoying Decisions to Make

There are numerous decoy types to consider. Buck or doe? Standing or bedded? Three-dimensional or two-dimensional? This posture or that posture? There are numerous factors to think about.

First, a buck decoy is ideal for most situations. This provokes other bucks to respond with aggression. That said, a doe decoy can bring a buck in on a string, too, especially during the rut. Still, others might deploy a buck and doe together.

Oftentimes, when pairing a buck and doe, the buck should be standing, and either alert or in an aggressive form. The doe can be standing or bedded. Choose between various doe postures, such as alert, receptive and more.

Tim

ing is another factor. Know when to use deer decoys. Choose the right timeframes to deploy the dekes. Generally, the late pre-rut through the rut is the best window. The very end of the pre-rut and early portion of the rut tend to produce the best decoy results.

Choose the right decoys based on the scenario, too. For example, don’t use a doe decoy during the pre-rut. Deploy a buck decoy alone, as there aren’t many (if any) does in estrus. Your card is the buck decoy, which can play on rising testosterone levels. Then, once the rut arrives, you can consider adding a doe decoy to the mix.

Final Tips

Lastly, carry decoys safely. Keep them in a bag while carrying in and out of the field. Furthermore, don’t use decoys during firearm seasons, such as muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle seasons. Use deer decoys during bow seasons, and that’s it. Also, don’t use decoys if other hunters might be in the area. It’s not worth the possible confusion and potential accident.

With the basics in mind, consider using a deer decoy this season. It’s an excellent tactic that’s helped many hunters fill their buck tags. It just might do the same for you this year. Good luck and happy decoying.

Decoys to Consider

• The final step in using deer decoys is choosing one to buy. There are numerous brands and even more models to select from.

Montana Decoy The Freshman Buck Decoy

The Freshman Buck Decoy is an excellent 2-D option. This lightweight buck deke is an ideal choice for those who trek long distances on foot and don’t want to carry heavier decoys. Of course, it folds up neatly (20 x 13 inches), unfolds to 37 x 48 inches and weighs only 35 ounces. The posture of the deer challenges other bucks but won’t intimidate them. MSRP: $99.99

Flambeau Scrapper Buck

Another excellent option is the Scrapper Buck by Flambeau. It comes with a younger buck’s profile and antlers. It’s designed after that of a 2.5-year-old whitetail and should effectively bring in dominant deer and even some sub-dominant bucks that see it. Of course, this comes with great realism, sturdy durability and easy transportation. It’s 44 inches long by 47 inches tall and 13 inches wide. MSRP: $149.99

Blocker Outdoors Ol’ Hank Deer

Coming with an 8-point rack and moderate body size, the Ol’ Hank Deer Decoy by Blocker Outdoors is a new product and very lifelike, comes with accurate detailing and a soft tail that moves in the wind. It features durable 80 percent HDPE and 20 percent LDPE plastics. The posturing is true-to-life. If needed, remove the antlers to use the decoy as a doe. Use metal stakes to secure it to the ground. It stores neatly in a bag for easy transport and storage. The decoy weighs 9 pounds. MSRP: $199.99

Flambeau Master Series Boss Buck

Flambeau also offers the Boss Buck, which is a great decoy, especially for those who want one with a larger, more dominant body size. It also offers realism, durability and more. The head, legs, ears and antlers fit inside the body cavity for easier transport. It comes with a blaze orange sling. MSRP: $211.49

Primos Scar

As one of the most proven options around, the Primos Scar decoy offers movement in the neck and tail and does so with the slightest motion. It also comes with smaller antler and body profiles, so it shouldn’t intimidate rival bucks. Instead, it should provoke them into thinking they are more dominant. MSRP: $224.99

DSD Standing Doe

The Standing Doe by David Smith Decoys (DSD) is an excellent option for those who want a doe decoy. It comes with a relaxed posture and receptive body language. It’s a one-piece decoy with a removable head and features ultra-realistic paint and finish. MSRP: $549.99

DSD Deer Pair

Need a buck and doe pair? DSD has you covered. These deer decoys are one-piece units with removable heads. They also have ultra-realistic paint and finishes. Stakes are included. The dimensions are 36 x 31 x 13 inches, and it weighs in at 35 pounds. Choose between blacktail and whitetail paint schemes. MSRP: $1,149.99

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