Buck Decoy in October (East side)

[jnutzalot]

So I'm heading over to the East Side for a White Tail hunt on private land next weekend for the modern opener. I bought the primos fork horn decoy the other day on sale and thought I'd give it a whirl. Do you guys think it's too early for a decoy or would there be enough pre-rut activity to draw in a larger buck?

 Here's the decoy. Hiding at office so wifey dosen't see I bought more hunting stuff again...

[ribka]

Have had good luck with decoys during rut that starts around first week of Nov when most
bucks are cruising during daylight hours. Bow hunting

Think  not worthwhile this time of year to take over

Maybe on a private ag field to draw out younger bucks before dark?

[270Shooter]

Are you going to leave the orange vest on it so it doesn't get shot? I know you said it's private but people are crazy during rifle season.

[jnutzalot]

Hah! I'll chance it getting shot. Got it for $32 on sale, so I wont be too butt hurt if it has a couple bullet holes in it. Plus, we will be on a very large private ranch with "trespassers will be shot" signs posted 

[Buckmark]

Heck it may get shot with the orange vest on it...

[Buckmark]

So just my experience but most of the bigger bucks wont be rutty by the opener, not enough to be hanging back in cover and coming out to check out/fight an interloper.
From my experience in hunting private property is there will be the resident deer that come out every evening, almost at the same time and the same place, the little bucks might be play fighting, ticking horns etc but the bigger guys are still nocturnal, unless you have one already coming in..
Now give it a few days after opening day and new bucks will show up on your private ground that have escaped other properties and public ground....
I have seen and taken bucks days after the opener that i never saw from archery on and never had on cam..

[boneaddict]

 

[DoubleJ]

A more important question is where did you get it for $32?

[Savage Hunter]

Glad to see I am not the only one who keeps his new hunting gear purchases at the office 

[BiggLuke]

Should work great at bringing in a bigger buck...  assuming that someone doesn't shoot and tag your decoy first.   

[fish vacuum]

Got it for $32 on sale

Where? I need one to mess with my neighbor!

[jasnt]

So just my experience but most of the bigger bucks wont be rutty by the opener, not enough to be hanging back in cover and coming out to check out/fight an interloper.
From my experience in hunting private property is there will be the resident deer that come out every evening, almost at the same time and the same place, the little bucks might be play fighting, ticking horns etc but the bigger guys are still nocturnal, unless you have one already coming in..
Now give it a few days after opening day and new bucks will show up on your private ground that have escaped other properties and public ground....
I have seen and taken bucks days after the opener that i never saw from archery on and never had on cam..

late season that decoy will up your odds but I don't think it will hurt ya for early season......unless its heavy

[Armystrong]

I'm curious....where did you buy the decoy for so cheap? 

[jackelope]

At that time of year, bucks don't care enough about each other yet. We find them running together in fact. I wouldn't carry it around. I'd also be worried about it getting shot at and/or being caught in the crossfire, private land or not.

[huntnnw]

I got into trying to decoy bucks in years ago.. It ruined more of my archery hunts than worked . I had bucks see the decoy then try to circle it and get weird and move away when otherwise these bucks woulda passed right by me! May work better with a rifle and out in a field . I don't hunt fields much and in the cover alot so there isn't a ton of visibility to see it.