How to Hunt With Deer Decoys
Deer decoys are effective tools for bow hunters, whether you are looking for a trophy buck or trying to fill the freezer with venison. Decoys attract bucks looking for a fight or a mate and can make does feel safe enough to stop and feed. With a little practice and minimal expense, decoys can make your hunts more successful.
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Instructions
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Pick a style of decoy to use. Two dimensional decoys are lighter and more convenient than three dimensional ones, but they are less realistic and are only effective when incoming deer use certain approaches. Partial body decoys offer a midway point that is more convenient than 3-D and more versatile than 2-D. Choose based on the distance you need to walk to your hunting location and the type of area where you hunt.
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Decide what kind of setup to use. If you are going after does, fawn decoys are effective in the early season. A pair of does can have a calming effect on incoming does during the rest of the season. For bucks use a doe-buck pair during the rut. Immediately before and after the rut, lone does are most effective. Other times of season, bucks can provoke other bucks to come in looking for a fight.
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Handle your decoys with rubber gloves to prevent leaving human scent on them. Commercially available scents increase the effectiveness of decoys.
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Set decoys upwind of your position and in a place that gives you a clear shot.
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Use a call that matches your decoy. For example, when using a fawn decoy to attract, does make a distress call.
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Tips & Warnings
Never walk with an uncovered decoy. Handling decoys is dangerous, especially during rifle season. Hunting with decoys is not recommended outside of bow hunting season.
