Hunting With Deer Decoys

Position and Strategy

Though scent control is always important when hunting, it becomes especially vital if you are using decoys, since you are trying to deliberately draw the buck in to you.

Besides being totally scent free yourself, you will want to make sure that you have sprayed it with a scent neutralizer.

Carry it into the woods in a plastic bag.

Wear scent free gloves when handling the decoy and do not leave any human scent on it while setting it up.

After it is set in place, then you can spray deer lure on the ground near it.

When positioning decoys, make sure you are downwind.

Also position it so deer will be able to see it! You want it to be as visible to them as possible.

It is a good idea to position them near traveled paths, around bedding areas, and also feeding areas.

Set it up so that if the buck does not come all the way to the decoy, he will still be in shooting range.

If you are using a buck decoy, then position him to the front of you with his head facing you.

This is because bucks will approach another buck's head as an intimidation move.

As he is circling in to do this, you should have either a broadside or a quartering away shot.

If you are using a doe decoy, then face her head away from you, as bucks will not approach her head first, but rather, from behind, to see if she is ready to be bred.

Once you are in your stand and the woods have calmed back down, then you will be ready to call.

Make sure that the call you use is appropriate for which sex you are trying to entice in!

Here is a good variety of different styles of decoys.

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