Decoy for Whiteys

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Does anyone use a decoy for late rut hunts? If you do which kind have you used and does it make a huge difference? My new spot is very open so I was thinking a decoy might help bring a buck closer with a visual. Thinking bout a fold up Montana style because I hike in a mile.

[bornhunter]

Wow what a relief. From the title for a minute there I thought you were a racist!      "Whiteys"   Carry on amigo.

[ne kid]

I've used them, and they work I had a buck take out my decoy last year. Ive used the doe and the buck, I think the buck is better.

[huntnnw]

I’d only use one in open settings and not a flat one. I’ve had decoys in timber in small openings to only have a buck come by and become surprised by it. Had a flat up twice to bucks that would have walked by me in range to only get cautious and then go to circle downwind and as they move around the decoy then is flat and disappears to them. Both bucks walked outta range cause of it and gone. I’d only use a life like buck decoy and face it at you . Bucks will come in head on to a buck decoy.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Wow what a relief. From the title for a minute there I thought you were a racist!      "Whiteys"   Carry on amigo.

No racist intent just trying to give them a nickname I guess! 

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

I’d only use one in open settings and not a flat one. I’ve had decoys in timber in small openings to only have a buck come by and become surprised by it. Had a flat up twice to bucks that would have walked by me in range to only get cautious and then go to circle downwind and as they move around the decoy then is flat and disappears to them. Both bucks walked outta range cause of it and gone. I’d only use a life like buck decoy and face it at you . Bucks will come in head on to a buck decoy.

This is awesome info thanks huntn just what I was looking for. So maybe invest in the 3D style and suck it up for the pack in/out. I’m set up in a wide open setting this year and not getting the numbers I use to get on camera when I was nearer bedding. I was thinking if I can call/rattle a buck to within a few hundred yards, he sees the decoy and commits. I watched a Hunting Public video of a hunt over a decoy and it got me pumped to try it out. He grunted/rattled a couple sequences then when a huge buck came in he was presented with a 25 yard shot opportunity and the buck was distracted and ears pinned! He set up his decoy like you said, head facing towards hunter so deer comes into the head and presents a good shot. Thanks

[elkboy]

I guess a decoy model resembling Eva Shockey sitting at a table loaded with hunting magazines and a bottle of Kentucky bourbon would work to pull me in out of the thick brush...

But seriously, there was an article on this in "Deer and Deer Hunting" last year- the author concluded that decoys can be highly effective for whitetail.  One just needs to deal with the obvious safety considerations (cover it in orange while transporting in and out, and sitting up in a tree stand or well away from the decoy in case another hunter mistakes it for a live deer). 

[bornhunter]

Wow what a relief. From the title for a minute there I thought you were a racist!      "Whiteys"   Carry on amigo.

No racist intent just trying to give them a nickname I guess! 

And its a good one. Whitetails matter too.

[huntnnw]

I always spray decoy down with scent killer , hang a white piece of cloth for a tail and can scent it, another is a white feather and paint one side brown hang it from tail . Wind blows it will spin looking like tail flickering . This also works well just calling on the stand in cover. Deer see that white flickering and peaks curiosity with calling you have fooled 2 senses .