If you’re tired of waiting for deer to come to you, decoys can be an effective way of attracting them. Calls are much more effective when paired with decoys, as the added visual makes the call more realistic.
When choosing a deer decoy, there are a few important considerations.
Buck or doe?
A buck decoy will bring out the aggressive side of a passing buck, as he sees a strange new buck in the area. However, they might scare away does or younger bucks. Choose a buck or doe decoy based on what you’re targeting, or hunt with a combination.
Full-body or silhouette decoys?
Silhouette (or 2D) decoys are portable and lightweight, but they are less realistic and difficult in wind. If you won’t be carrying your decoys too far, a full-body decoy can bring a bit more realism.
How should my deer decoy be positioned?
You can find posturing decoys, which will signal that your buck is ready to fight. You can also find grazing does, rumps, or antlers on their own. These options will bring in different responses from your buck.
Additional considerations
- Scent. Check that your decoy is scent-free, or add a scent-eliminating product so the smell doesn’t tip off passing deer.
- Portability. Make sure you can transport your decoy where it needs to go. A less realistic decoy may be more packable, or you can opt for an inflatable decoy or foldable model.
