Decoy Advice

[LuciandTim]

Ok...finally got my decoy back and plan on using it tomorrow.

I have been invited onto some new land and am hunting a foodplot inside the woods. They are small plots and one is being hit consistently every evening but not always by does.

Should I use a doe decoy with scent hoping that the big buck that is hanging back wil make an appearance in legal shooting time??? I know he comes in but it is always after dark. Maybe this will help get him in earlier??

One concern is spooking other deer. Will they feed in comfort with the decoy there?? I want to shoot a deer tomorrow night but want to give the big one a chance. So 5 minutes of shoot time and he isn't there I will take a shot at another but will they hang around with the decoy??

Does this make sense??

[96trigger]

Having a doe decoy out there shouldn't hurt, however, if your hunting a food source and you know that there will be other does out there, I don't think I'd bother with it. Be cautious about scent control, try and get the does out in front of you. It might be tricky if you have to play the wind.

If you do use the decoy, make sure its scent free, then I'd put it in the field facing the woods where you think the buck will come out and also so the decoy is facing you if possible, the buck should focus on the decoy and not so much on you. If you can, use some doe in estrus to get that hint of hot doe to get the big guy fired up thinking about love and not you.

[DonBo]

I think it may be a bit late in the year to try to lure a buck into a decoy. Think for the most part the rut has run its coarse. The bucks are probably content to relax and try to put on some of the fat they've lost in the last month. The food plot alone is probably the better attractant.

[sticknstring]

I would leave the decoy at home along with the scent. Deer are edgy this time of year. The more natural the better. Your focus on the food source is right on. Does may be coming out at last light but you can bet your last dollar any mature buck will hang back til after dark or for sure until does are contently feeding. The deer will most likely enter the plot from downwind so I'd setup downwind of the plot 40-60 yds and then crosswind 20 yds either direction. You'll have a chance at any buck working the plot and eliminate much of the risk of spooking deer. If he doesn't show, you're far enough away that you can sneak out without spooking feeding deer and setup closer the following night and whack a doe! Good luck - let us know how it all unfolds.