decoying deer

[spike buck]

I'm thinking of trying out decoying here in Indiana this year. I need to decide if I should invest in one or not. Where I hunt there are some really nice bucks, but I would say the buck to doe ratio is not great. I have not witnessed too much competition on my land. However, I do hunt a few crp fields that I think would be a great place to use a decoy. Does anyone have any experience good or bad?

[ChuckC]

Has anybody tried wearing a deer suit ?
ChuckC

[kbetts]

I bought the buck/doe set from Montana and have loved the results.  I used the doe four times last year and shot deer with it three.  The fourth time I had deer coming to it but placement error prevented a shot.

[jcar315]

I have tried quite a bit with both good and bad results. Lots of factors come into play IMO:
1. Location
2. Time of year / stage of the rut
3. Buck or doe decoy used
4. Buck or doe "responding"
5. Individual deers "personality"

My experience has been best during late Oct early Nov and using a doe decoy while calling to a buck I can see.

Another way I use a "decoy" is during gun season while bow hunting and the deer are running all over the place to get away from gun hunters I put up one of those plain 2 demensional flat decoys out in a field behind my set up in the timber. The deer, when chased from the next farm over, want to run through the field (towards some houses) too far away from my set up. When they see the decoy out there and that it isn't moving the does get spooky and filter back into the timber. I have had quite a few shot opportunities doing this. This is my "go to" technique for gun season while I am bow hunting to gently influence them to come into the timber.

[JackP]

I've had good success with a decoy. The only problem I have had with it is sometimes the deer stay around it after dark. Two years ago I took my decoy out and had deer come in right when there wasn't enough light to shoot, they ended up eating around the decoy for a good hour and a half after dark.
Other then that, that was the only problem I have ever had with it, they do draw deer in. It's worth a shot. Good luck!

Jack

[Dave Bulla]

I don't know how well they will actually work as I've only used them two or three times ever and it was in January but the Montana decoys sure look real to me!

[Pat B]

This is a decoy I made a few years ago from corrugated plastic political signs(only good use for these IMO). I made it so the antlers are removable so it can be used as a buck or doe. Only had one occasion when a deer came into a food plot where the decoy was placed. It was a young deer that didn't come to the decoy but didn't spook either. It just kept its distance but kept watching the decoy.
 I believe the time of year is critical as to whether it is a buck or doe. It does make for a good confidence attractant I believe.

[rraming]

They work terrific and are fun to use - some deer don't see them until the last minute and "jump" and then come look - some deer pass by it and don't see it (kind of surprising to me). I have a featherlight full size and it's a pain to haul in the woods but well worth it. My best story sitting in a ground blind and I heard "what do you see over there, son" three grouse hunters thought they walked right up to a 6 point buck - funny stuff. I have had deer running away from other hunters and put the brakes on when they saw it, sneaking up to it = dead deer. Don't tell anyone or they won't work much longer - just you 20,000 trad guys

[Pat B]

A feeding doe might be more effective for general use and an alert buck during the rut.