5 Reasons to Use a Deer Decoy This Fall

Luring in bucks with a decoy is a rush, and when it works just right, it can land you a slam-dunk shot at 20 yards or closer while the buck is distracted. Photo courtesy of Melissa Bachman.

The stud 10-pointer was raking his antlers on small saplings when I noticed him. I had grunted and snort-wheezed a few minutes earlier, and he was clearly agitated. In he came, with his hair bristled and ears pinned back. When he turned broadside 20 yards away, I mouth-grunted, aimed, and stuck him in the heart. He piled up 100 yards away.

DON’T MISS: 3 States With Huge Black Bears

From sitting in a tree stand over an apple tree to stalking bucks out West to hunting buck bedding areas, there are many ways to bowhunt whitetails. Most are exciting and effective, but I haven’t experienced anything that rivals the thrill of an aggressive buck coming in hot to a decoy.

Here are five quick reasons why you should give decoying a whirl this deer season.

1. GET A CLOSER SHOT

I’ve shot and killed bucks out to 55 yards with my bow, but nothing beats a slam-dunk shot like the 20-yard gimme I referenced earlier. When bowhunting, a lot can happen between the moment you decide to shoot and when the arrow actually arrives. So, the closer the better. When a buck fully commits to your decoy, he’ll end up where you placed the fake. In most cases, that’s 15 to 20 yards, which is about the easiest shot you can expect in the deer woods.

2. BOOST YOUR SUCCESS IN WIDE-OPEN HABITATS

Bowhunting in open country can be frustrating. The long visibility often means you’ll see more deer, but with a bow’s short-range capabilities, those sightings don’t often become close encounters. Most of us can’t count how many times bucks have passed out of range. Placing a decoy in a high-visibility area gives bucks that are just cruising through or feeding hundreds of yards away a reason to walk within bow range.

Check Out Our Latest Camo Pattern: Realtree APX

3. GIVE YOUR CALLING A VISUAL AID

Calling is an effective tool when hunting whitetails. The problem in some cases is that a buck hears calling but doesn’t see a deer to associate with it. A decoy gives the buck visual confirmation that a real deer made the grunt or snort-wheeze. Calling and decoying go hand in hand, and the combination is ultra-effective in the right situations. Calling fools a buck’s ears, and a decoy fools his eyes. Beating two senses drastically increases your odds of a bow-range encounter.

4. DRAW WHILE THE BUCK IS DISTRACTED

In turkey hunting, a jake decoy brings gobblers running and almost entirely takes their attention off their surroundings when they commit. I’ve bow-killed a pile of toms without a ground blind over jake decoys. I often draw when the gobbler is circling the decoy or beating it up. It’s almost easy to draw my bow without being detected.

When a buck commits to your decoy, it takes his focus away from you so you can draw your bow undetected. Photo courtesy of Melissa Bachman.

The same concept applies to deer hunting over a decoy — especially a buck decoy. When a buck commits and is coming to the decoy on a string with his hair bristled, his attention is locked on that decoy. He has one thing in mind: beating up the “buck” that’s challenging him. You have little to worry about with drawing your bow. I’d still suggest doing it with minimal movement, but you typically don’t have to let a deer pass behind obstructions before drawing, which is a huge advantage.

5. IT’S A THRILL

Always use common sense when carrying or hunting with a decoy. You’re using it at your own risk. At all costs, avoid using a decoy during any firearms season. It’s just too dangerous.

DON’T MISS: South Carolina Hunter Adjusts Stand In Tropical Storm, Then Bags Big Buck

Melissa Bachman has taken many bucks using a decoy, including this Illinois brute. Photo courtesy of Melissa Bachman.

But as mentioned, no other bowhunting method rivals the thrill of decoying. If you haven’t experienced it, give it a shot. Many learning curves and set-up details go into successful decoy hunts, but when you get those nailed down, you won’t believe how exciting it will be when bucks come to your decoy.