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Putting a decoy out in a field isn't a guaranteed way to lure in a deer for a clean shot. Instead, a hunter who chooses to hunt with a decoy needs to set up a decoy and use it in tandem with scents and calls to increase its effectiveness.
Calls and scents work to help convince deer that the decoy is actually real. If you've chosen to put out a doe decoy, consider using a bleating call to match the animal along with some doe estrus to increase the realism. A buck decoy should be used in association with a call such as a grunt, as well as with some buck urine for a scent. Rattling antlers are also suggested when using a buck decoy. -
The most important aspect of a decoy is placing it where a potential target will see it. Placing the decoy in a bunch of brush or right in front of your favorite tree won't likely pique the interest of a passing buck. Instead, according to Nodak Outdoors, place the decoy in places that deer are known to use for bedding down, traveling and feeding--in that order.
Placing the decoy in areas where other deer frequent makes the most sense because deer are habitual creatures, often visiting the same areas at the same time each week. Other deer will be less suspicious of the decoy if it is placed in a familiar place.
Don't place a bedded-down-style decoy on a traveling trail, however, as Bowhunting.net notes that it is unnatural and could potentially keep deer away from the area instead of drawing them near.
If using a doe decoy, place it so the back end of the doe is nearest where you are hunting from, as a buck will walk behind a doe to scent it and, of course, mount it. A buck decoy should be set facing toward you, as another buck will take on a challenge head on. -
There is no way to tell which kind of decoy is going to work best on any given day. Bowhunting Magazine suggests using a buck decoy for the reason that bucks tend to be interested in challenging other bucks to get them to leave their territory. Bowhunting.net, on the other hand, suggests that a doe decoy is the likely candidate because bucks are interested in mating during most jurisdictions' hunting seasons.
Nodak Outdoors, finally, suggests splitting the difference and bringing in both. Bucks that are interested in does will come to the bleats and will likely investigate the scene. Bucks looking for a challenge will come to the area with the grunt calls and rattled antlers.
