Buck Decoy Advice?????????????????

skychief · October 20, 2014, 10:14:00 PM

I've located a good whitetail buck. Watched him come out of some river bottom cover and walk the edge of a bean field this evening with daylight to spare.

I hope to try for him tomorrow and will be hunting from the ground.

I am very tempted to try a deer decoy that I have never used. It is postured with head down and sports a smallish 8 point rack. If the buck enters the field the same way, I would have the decoy straight down wind of him, in hopes that it would drag him past my ambush on the field edge.

Again, I've never used the decoy and am asking for any advice. Would love to get a good chance at him now that he is on his feet in daylight and before the rut has miles away possibly.

Please fire away with any suggestions regarding the decoy idea. Have thought of grunting, rattling etc, just not sure.

Many thanks, Skychief

dagwood64 · October 20, 2014, 10:24:00 PM

Place the decoy facing in your direction and slightly away from where the buck is entering. The buck will come to face off the decoy. This should give you a broadside or quartering away shot. Also place the decoy within your bow range.
Hope this works out for you.
Also make sure your decoy is clean of all foriegn scent, and maybe place a little buck scent in a cannister underneath the decoy.

skychief · October 20, 2014, 10:49:00 PM

Thanks dagwood.

I should have mentioned that the antlers are removable, so, buck or doe this time of year is another question.

For what it is worth, it's an older buck that I am hunting, not a pickle headed pipsqueak.

Bob B. · October 20, 2014, 10:58:00 PM

Do everything dagwood64 says, maybe some buck tarsal hanging near by. I have had the best luck using only half a rack on my decoy ... it looks easier to push around. Do not forget to grunt, but do not get too aggressive and use a young buck call if you have one.

I have not had the best luck with decoys, but these tips have helped me.

Good luck,

Bob.

beaunaro · October 21, 2014, 08:03:00 AM

If you can google Gary Clancy or get his book, he has a lot of decoying tips.

calgarychef · October 21, 2014, 12:29:00 PM

Bucks can't resist checking out does but they don't always check out other bucks.....unless you have two decoys a small buck and doe. A mature buck can't stand having another buck hanging out with a doe and he'll come in looking for a fight.

skychief · October 21, 2014, 02:45:00 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I am going after him this evening and plan on deploying my dummy buck!

K.S.TRAPPER · October 21, 2014, 05:56:00 PM

There not really in the fighting mood yet and I would pass on the buck decoy and go with the doe and some gland lure to get his attention. I'm still getting lots of bucks running around and milling around together. Yes there making scrapes and rubs and the small bucks are ticking antlers but there's no reason to be fighting yet.

Them big bucks could care less get the wind right the first time pattern him and get that doe were he can see her. Try to make it so when he circles for wind he is in your range. Good luck!

Tracy

Overspined · October 21, 2014, 11:51:00 PM

I find the buck is the best decoy until the rut to get other bucks. They are curious and not fighting yet. So now is your last week (approx). I sit where they can't get behind me, so on a thick hedge or lake or creek or something, and put it really close to me. Really really close if possible and upwind. I make sure I am extremely concealed and usually sit on ground. The bucks usually come take a very close look. I've had them travel great distances to see the stranger. Don't put scent on it. During the rut my success plummets because they are busy chasing ladies and the decoy doesn't move so they don't feel challenged. It sometimes works then, but I've had little luck.

J. Holden · October 22, 2014, 06:48:00 AM

I'm curious, how was the hunt? Did you get him?

-Jeremy

The Ole' Bowhunter · October 22, 2014, 07:01:00 PM

Follow Dagwood64's advice and you should have a good chance arrowing that buck.

K.S.TRAPPER · October 22, 2014, 07:10:00 PM

Also seeing a big buck one time in one place in the daylight is not a pattern he might not be back to that same spot for several weeks if at all. He could just be passing through checking does and marking territory, get a cam up there and see if he comes back thru when your not there. Then you'll have a better idea what to do.

Hope you did find his honey hole and you get a chance at him good luck!

Tracy

sbschindler · October 22, 2014, 07:17:00 PM

be sure and keep us informed,

skychief · October 22, 2014, 08:25:00 PM

I tried the decoy yesterday evening. I THINK I may have jumped him while getting set up.

It was pretty windy, but, I thought I may have heard a deer flush. In any case, nothing got to take a look at the decoy but me. I have to admit that I did a couple of "double takes", not unlike getting spooked by my turkey dummies in the Spring!

I will be trying again. Thanks to all for your kind help and advice, Skychief.