Pre Rut Whitetail Hunting Using Calls & Deer Decoys. If you're passionate about deer hunting, you're probably one of thousands of hunters tormented by a common dilemma - whether or not to hit the switch early in the season. They may work on a specific season but fail to attract any deer on other seasons. Still, does are a little more suspicious of decoys than bucks. Early in the winter, I don’t use decoys much. I don’t like using decoys in the early season. May 18, 2019 - On this episode of Cabela’s Whitetail Season, we enlist the use of deer decoys to get the attention of a territorial buck in the early season. Clancy would use a buck decoy on a field edge, and when a buck showed up that was out of range or feeding in the other direction, he would greet the buck with a contact grunt. This makes them vulnerable to a decoy. This can cause a resident buck to become territorial and want to fight. Early Season. I think it can train the deer and they will be suspicious of it later on. After using a decoy for years bow hunting, the purpose they serve is to bring the deer in close enough for a shot and to draw away the attention of the deer from the big blob in the tree to the decoy. They fold flat and weigh and weigh less than 4 pounds combined. Using early season attractants for deer hunting can offer many different forms of scents. However, it is not as simple as setting up a decoy just anywhere and waiting for something great to go down. How ever, deer can have trouble seeing the decoy from a long ways away since it is not moving. Decoy spreads for ducks in early season that are most effective are all about recreating the natural behavior of early season ducks. However, as time went on I needed to expand my decoy spread and those old decoys had seen their better days. But it's far less popular for whitetail deer. There aren’t many hard and fast rules when it comes to decoying deer; however, you can put the odds in your favor by avoiding decoying mistakes and using these tips. For more information on deer decoy setups and to buy the decoys mentioned here, please visit montanadecoy.com. Don’t use a decoy unless the rut is kicking. As I sat in a ladder stand, tucked away in a small patch of timber separating a hay field from an overgrown crop field, the anticipation I felt was almost overwhelming. Post-rut, change that out for a standing subordinate buck. The first thing is to make sure all foreign odors are removed from the decoy before hunting. Get a mature buck – vulnerable with clouded judgment – to come to you this season. This is a scent that has the smell of the tarsal glands found on the interior of a buck’s back legs. Do you have a fall turkey archery tag in your pocket too? I follow up the “fight” with a few grunts from my Primos Bottleneck grunt call. The 3-D style offers the most realism but requires the most effort. “Not many hunters use decoys during the first week or two of the bow season,” said Clancy in an one of his many articles about decoying whitetails. 2. One of the fake does was a full-bodied model, minus legs and antlers, mimicking a bedded doe in heat; the other was a standing cardboard doe silhouette. A decoy’s presence puts other deer at ease and encourages them to enter the field earlierine then they normally would. In fact, I usually use two of them and set them so that a deer can see them no matter which direction it approaches from.”. Early seasons for deer hunting take place in September in majority of October. “When a high-strung doe comes rushing into what she knows could be deadly danger for herself, the instant they spot that decoy, you can just see them calm down quite dramatically and they will usually then offer you a good shot at a stationary target. For those, I will use Scent Killer Gold laundry detergent. Usually, bowhunters are most willing to consider using deer decoys, but there seems to be a continued reluctance to try them during the firearms seasons. Using Deer Scents in the Wrong Place Using urine alongside a deer decoy … Don’t put it out in the wide open where a mature buck with any sense would never be caught in daylight. That is, until Clancy solved the riddle. Late in the fall and early in the winter, I rarely use them. - deer decoys are allowed during the early and late archery seasons only. When the deer approach, you’ll have a good chance at your target animal. On this episode of Cabela’s Whitetail Season, we enlist the use of deer decoys to get the attention of a territorial buck in the early season. This can make the buck look less mature or less intimidating. His book, Rattling, Calling & Decoying Whitetails, arms readers with simple, yet profound advice on pulling the wool over a deer’s eyes. for further information contact dave kubas. The best are the Delta, Carry-Lite, Flambeau and the Mojo Buck, which is electronic and will … These animals respond well to certain things or characteristics on a given season, so you have to take advantage of that. Be sure to set up your deer decoy close to your stand in an open, visible area to get him within bow range. Deer decoys as far as I’m concern happens to be one of the absolute most efficent deer hunting tools during the rut season. In some states where mature bucks seem to be larger in size, using a small buck decoy can work wonders. Hunting. In fact, decoys typically don't work well on does except when using a fawn decoy in conjunction with distress calling in the early to late summer. Putting it on the decoy is going to make a smelly mess when it’s time to pack it up for storage. Decoys. Once the decoy is scent-free, you can apply an attraction scent around the decoy. Doe decoys with those postures are dynamite when placed near scrapes. Don’t use decoys in feeding fields during the afternoon. Another trick is to apply Wildlife Research Center’s Golden Estrus Spray near the buck decoy. “During the early season, especially if your archery opener is in September, a lone buck decoy will garner the most attention from bucks because they’ve hung out in bachelor groups all summer and know every buck in their group,” said Clancy. If you want to up your odds for gun season, figure out which decoys will work best for you and get one now. Using Early Season Attractants | Deer Hunting Using early season attractants for deer hunting can offer many different forms of scents. The last thing you want to do is risk educating them before the prime time. Hunting. I noticed that every buck entering the field seemed drawn to each other, eager to show dominance that would carry over into the upcoming rut. Observing deer behavior can give you a better idea of what decoy setup to use. DEER DECOYS FOR THE BOWHUNTER. He would preach at seminars that he was successful calling in deer in the early season, not because his calls were more realistic, but because he simply used them more. Before learning how to use a decoy, you need to learn how not to use. Bucks during the pre-rut are fighting for dominance, so if they hear two bucks fighting and grunting, their curiosity as well as their territorial instincts make them come in to observe what is going on. You may love whitetails, sure . This method involves using a fake deer to catch the attention of the others. When adding a decoy into the mix of an already exciting time of year, the bowhunter can tap into some incredible deer behavior. Scrape urine is the perfect urine to make a mock scrape and set cameras in front of to take inventory of your local bucks and start your hit list. “The contact grunt is a low-volume, single-note, subdued grunt,” wrote Clancy. It is, however, a combination that has proven effective and something you should try during these weeks leading up to the rut. This is when you should and shouldn’t utilize decoys to attract deer. To be most effective, it must be placed in a location where deer can spot it with ease. “The best way to solve this problem is to put a doe decoy out in front of your stand,” wrote Clancy. Another consideration is the decoy’s antlers. During the rut, find a good buck decoy that is located near a tarsal scent. The rut is a great time to see a lot of deer activity, but you are at the mercy of a lot of luck – hoping a doe will drag a buck past your stand. 1. When it is time to hunt, I give the decoy dose of Scent Killer Gold spray scent eliminator after I place it in the field. Decoys can also be used as confidence inducers. illinois - allows decoys and calls (electronic or not) anytime during the deer season. One trick is to break off some of your decoy’s tines or attach only one side of antlers. We’ve had good luck in the early season hunting food sources in large fields or food plots. Observing deer behavior can give you a better idea of what decoy setup to use. Decoys work very well when used early during bow season in fields and plots where deer are feeding regularly. Clancy also used a grunt call and buck decoy in September more than the rest of us. Deer decoys work best when set up in areas of high deer travel. Early Season Deer Calling = Buck on Wall. If you’re entering pre-rut now is the time to go with a standing subordinate buck about 20 to 25 feet from your stand, looking perpendicular to … Sadly, Clancy lost his 12-year battle with lymphoma on July 27. protectionisamust , Nov 2, 2016 Don’t get me wrong, it was a good deal and it served the purpose for that moment. The decoy should be set up in a natural-looking scenario, such as a few yards out from the edge of the timber or in the middle of a food source. But, the doe would frantically rush in to the call, and more times than not, an ethical shot never presented itself. Using decoys is a popular way of hunting for many species like waterfowl and predators. His advice was always timely and useful. Don’t take any shortcuts. If you want to up your odds for gun season, figure out which decoys will work best for you and get one now. And they also can be used in different seasons and used individually. Crossbow Hunting’s “Best of the Best” for 2021, Wicked Ridge Takes Performance & Value to the Max, Tender and Juicy Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey, Smoked Jalapeño Caribou (or Venison) Burgers, Field Test! Early seasons for deer hunting take place in September in majority of October. It is simply a buck's way of possibly getting the attention of another as-yet-unseen buck.”. The first evening sequence begins a couple hours before dark. When hunting season starts, I clean up and wash all my decoys. Early season is when does and fawns communicate with soft grunts, bleats, and bawls. It’s imperative to wear both rubber gloves and rubber boots when setting up the decoy. Clancy had so much success using deer decoys that he became somewhat of a deer decoy fanatic, experimenting and trying new setups all the time. Clancy was a big proponent of using decoys during the early season to fill his freezer. The “early season” as far as this article is concerned, is the period of last minute preparation, scouting, and the first month or two of deer season. During the early season, a buck decoy doesn’t send an invitation to fight. Hunters sometimes buy a decoy before the season starts, but never utilize it on a hunt. "If a hunter is going to be successful with a deer decoy, the hunter and the buck decoy must remain scent-free at all times. Hunters Don’t Use the Decoy. Deer will not tolerate a decoy that smells like a human, no matter how real it looks. I have better luck hunting as many different areas as possible while relying on mouth calls. This will help remove any unwanted odors that might have gotten on the decoy during transport. November 1, 2004. Using Whitetail Decoys Like A Pro . Deer decoy prices. Electrically powered decoys that swim, vibrate, splash, move their feet or otherwise churn the water to simulate a feeding or active duck are also legal throughout the season. Deer hunting enthusiasts and enthusiasts of other big game just don't take advantage of decoying like they should. It’s been a fun week for the GrowingDeer Team and the fun is not over yet! In some states where mature bucks seem to be larger in size, using a small buck decoy can work wonders. To pick how many turkey decoys to use early season, let’s take a peek at what the birds themselves are doing. Bucks use the contact grunt when trying to find out if there are any other bucks around. Our mission is to provide readers with compelling content that is both relevant and valuable to the modern outdoorsman/shooter. Decoy Posture. Early preparation will give you the chance to enjoy the season to the fullest. Knowing when and what decoy(s) to show the buck you are after is the name of the game. In addition to having a good decoy, you need to pick the right place to put it. I’m writing this from the Kentucky Proving Grounds this week as Grant, AJ, and I arrived yesterday afternoon ready to start chasing long beards. Place bedded decoys near a bush or tree where a deer would normally bed. Amazingly, one of those early season bucks, a big Wyoming 10-pointer, was still in full velvet. The author says he rarely bowhunts in the early season without a decoy in front of him. one of his many articles about decoying whitetails. The answer to this is a resounding yes, as there are a wide range of different deer decoys out there that can help you successfully lure in both bucks and does when used properly. You’ll spook does coming in to feed. If you have plenty of ground to hunt, it lessens that risk. My preference is to place the buck broadside to me. Throughout the hunt, I like to use Primos Fightin’ Horns to simulate two bucks fighting. “That's it. More hunters are realizing the advantages of using decoys for whitetails. When To Use Decoys. By providing deer with sound, smell, and sight enticements, the chances of fooling mature bucks to come into bow range increases. Decoys can also be used during the entire season however, setting out decoys too early could be detrimental if you only have a few places to hunt. Using a deer decoy helps hunters on the ground and in the stand. Deer Decoying's 7 Sins Decoys can work for sure. 1. There’s a time and place to use silhouette coyote decoys. This is the kind of action that gets a hunter’s heart beating fast. My favorite all around decoy set up is to place my Primos SCAR decoy on the edge of a field and then spray Wildlife Research Center’s Mega Tarsal Plus scent on the ground towards the back of the decoy. Scent-A-Way is the best way to minimize scent once in the field. Early in the season, you should use a small buck decoy to catch a passing buck’s attention. The first goose decoys I ever used were some old banged up decoys that I bought off Craigslist. Because deer, including bucks, are looking for food at this time of the year, the combination of tarsal scent and deer urine on the ground, leading to a food scent, can be very effective. Maybe because it’s often a chore to lug two decoys, few hunters use the deer equivalent of a “spread.” However, I’ve arrowed two bucks while using buck decoys standing over doe decoys. During this cool October morning, I witnessed bucks chasing and fighting, and even observed two scrapes being made at the edge of the hay field. I was getting a full dose of textbook, pre-rut behavior at its finest. Using deer decoys have been a proven tactic for bowhunters for the better part of two decades; however, they can also be a deadly weapon for rifle deer hunters too. We’ll end this blog in a way Clancy might've. If there is no response, I will repeat the sequence in thirty- to forty-five-minute intervals. It’s more of a social meet-and-greet. When the excitement level is at this level, I like to dig into my bag of tricks to create even more action by rattling and grunting, employing an array of scents, and using a deer decoy or two. Always wear rubber gloves when handling your decoy. When you are hunting late-season deer you need to know where the food sources are as well as the trails the deer use during daylight as they move to and from the fields. During this season they look around for estrus and with few around, you can tell that a deer decoy could easily get their attention. This is when you should and shouldn't utilize decoys to attract deer. Hunter numbers show whitetails are the top hunted species in the country and an easy favorite for many. Couple the right weather conditions, a little scrape monitoring, a good food source, and you can have a successful pre rut whitetail hunt. Latest. So, you have to take this into account if you want to catch more deers during your hunts. In that manner they work and work well. no electronic calls allowed. During the rut, find a good buck decoy that is located near a tarsal scent. Spray both yourself and the decoy thoroughly in order to kill human odor. The first thing is to make sure all foreign odors are removed from the decoy before hunting. Some decoys look like a deer that is on full alert, and in my experience, a deer in this position will put other deer on alert, possibly even causing negative reactions such as stomping and snorting. Solution: Commit to using a decoy and pack it with you on every hunt. The majority of the deer decoys we looked at fall within a fairly narrow price range of around $60 to $200.. Two-dimensional: Not surprisingly, the cheapest deer decoys are 2D models – both stalker and stationary types – that cost from $60 to around $100. I use this calling sequence three or four times on each morning and evening hunt. The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 507 (c) addresses motion decoys: “It is unlawful to use devices that are either electronically powered, or activated by anything other than natural wind, to directly or indirectly cause rotation of decoy wings or blades that simulate wings, when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of the season and Nov. 30.” Don’t lay the decoy, bow and backpack down in the grass while you tie your boots. Welcome to Shoot-On.com - The outdoor and shooting industry's premier source of up-to-date news, media, entertainment and new product information. You can use any doe decoy you want. 10 Tips for the Deadly Art Of Decoying Deer. by Heath Wood …. 01; Using Whitetail Decoys Like A Pro. The Canadian Outfitters Who Survived 2020 Are Rewarded with Another Uncertain Season. Post-rut, change that out for a standing subordinate buck. Or, they use it once, fail to see results and never use it again. In the early season, adjust your tube to make the grunt less deep and guttural so that it sounds more like a young buck. Using a deer decoy helps hunters on the ground and in the stand. I’ve decoyed in and taken four mature bucks during the month of September. I got 18 shell decoys and 6 full body decoys for $80. He would preach at seminars that he was successful calling in deer in the early season, not because his calls were more realistic, but because he simply used them more. Cheap decoys may work, but the more realistic looking the better. idaho - allowed in idaho with no special restrictions. Be sure to apply the scent on the ground and not on the decoy. . An actual deer tail affixed to a decoy is very effective during windy days. Waterfowl hunters know that placing decoys of species other than ducks in a rig presents a more natural allure. As for the smell, this is where much attention should be given. Controlling your scent is the No. The tactic above can also be applied to hunting water sources. And if he doesn’t show up, just sit tight, as the deer should move off into the main fields, allowing you to exit unknown. With his trusty longbow and help from his Montana decoys, Harmon Carson of Haughton, Louisiana, bagged a bayou gobbler on opening day. When a deer spots a deer decoy the tendency of the real deer is to come nearer. I Survived COVID-19, But it … Buy cheap foam models from the sale bin at your sporting-goods store. The contact grunt does not involve the does. 1 rule of decoying deer. Don’t put your decoy more than 10 to 15 yards from your tree. Battle racks and fast grunting can also create the illusion of bucks butting heads over a territory, which might also draw other bucks in. Using a deer decoy and rattling in a buck will only work if the hunter is scent-free. Some hunters like to use scent products with their decoys, while others do not. Gary Clancy wrote the book on decoying deer. Clancy figured out that the best way to get a doe into bow range during the first two weeks of the season was to use a fawn bleat call. Literally. The Mega Tarsal Plus has an added musk that increases its appeal. To effectively use deer decoys throughout the rut, a hunter must match the setup to the emotional state of mature bucks. Unlike the late season spreads, decoy spreads for ducks in early season should typically consist of fewer decoys yet the decoys should be … This method involves using a fake deer to catch the attention of the others. These scents can both be urine based and synthetic food based. While most scents used around a buck decoy are typically buck scent only, using an estrus doe scent can attract passing bucks because it makes them think there is a hot doe nearby and that an interloper buck is onto it. Not many hunters use decoys during the first week or two of the bow season. From mid-October to the end of November, bucks go through stages of aggression and breeding urges. Resurrect tattered veterans from the back of your gear closet. Looking to fill an early season doe tag? Traditions Firearms and Federal Premium have t…, With this year’s sketchy availability of centerfire ammunition, many hunters are tur…, Deer Decoy Strategies for Early Season Hunting. More Hunting. The bowhunter has a number of options when choosing a deer decoy. It’s Time to Redefine What it Means to ‘Do Our Part’ as Hunters. The best time you should use the deer decoy is during the early season or prior to the rut or mating season. The More Realistic The Better. If you read his many articles on decoying deer, he would always conclude with something along the lines of: Give early season decoying a try. Turkey hunting places a consistent second. It sits in their shed or remains folded up in their pack. “When a stranger shows up, they can hardly help but check out the new guy.”. During the early part of deer hunting season, we recommend using our Scrape and Rutting Buck deer urines to make mock scrapes and freshen existing scrapes. This usually sums up the end of august, September, and October. A decoy’s presence puts other deer at ease and encourages them to … Early season finds the birds in groups of several hens for every tom. The whitetail doe and whitetail buck will catch the attention of most deer from a distance. That is because bucks usually face one another when checking out each other, so this puts a deer in line for a clear, broadside shot. Hunting. An Introduction to Using Deer Decoys. Deer use multiple vocalizations all year. Early preparation will give you the chance to enjoy the season to the fullest. These scents can both be urine based and synthetic food based. Clancy also used a grunt call and buck decoy in September more than the rest of us. During the late bow and firearms seasons, a time we are hunting wary and skittish deer that run first and look later, I’ll often use decoys. If you are hunting an alfalfa field in early season and want the deer to enter the field earlier, place a … © 2021 Montana Decoy, Inc. All rights reserved. If bucks in the area are already fighting, seeing another mature buck might spook or intimidate smaller (although perfectly suitable) bucks, sending them packing or keeping them out of bow range. The objective is to make the decoy look like it is in a natural environment, feeding or getting ready to check scrapes on the edge of the field. Even then I am very careful when setting out decoys and keep in mind blind placement in regards to decoy placement. It was mid-October and bucks were everywhere. by Heath Wood “Do you have a…, Here’s a tasty way to put those wayward packs of ground venison to a surprising new …, Need to fill the freezer but ammo is tight? I use a Montana Doe Decoy just because it is so easy to carry and set up. Using a decoy during the pre-rut and adding in the aroma of various deer scents and the sounds of other bucks takes a lot more work and preparation than simply showing up at your stand and hoping for the best. One of the best things about these decoys is they are easy to carry and set up. Common mistakes hunters make when using a deer decoy. Turkey Hunting Strategies: Using Decoys In The Early Season By GrowingDeer, 04/18/2014. “So I guess you might say that I am the exception to the rule, because I rarely sit on stand during the early season without a decoy out in front of me.”. Filed under: Turkey Hunting. One of the most common questions hunters have is do deer decoys really work. During the rut set them up near scrape or rub lines, but use caution near bedding areas to avoid polluting the area with your own human scent, sight or sound. Using Decoys to Fool Deer Nicole and I have had great success using decoys in a variety of locations at various times of year. By Gary Clancy. On this episode of Cabela’s Whitetail Season, we enlist the use of deer decoys to get the attention of a territorial buck in the early season. Be sure to set up your deer decoy close to your stand in … Traditions’ Revolutionary NitroFire Muzzleloader. So create a flock. . Not only is it very effective, but it is one heck of a lot of fun! Until a few years ago, there was no way I would have packed gawky whitetail decoys into the field with all of my other gear … A word of warning: I limit my decoy use during firearms seasons to my private leases where I have control of all hunters. Borrow a collection of assorted dekes from your buddies. Public land hunting offers many opportunities, including a much greater challenge and sense of accomplishment. Deer hunting enthusiasts and enthusiasts of other big game just don’t take advantage of … Using a decoy early or late will only educate deer. If you use a buck decoy too early or too often, you could steal its thunder. According to Bowman, many deer hunters make their mistakes here. Using decoys is a popular way of hunting for many species like waterfowl and predators. This is not an aggressive grunt or an invitation to fight. Once I set them up, I spray them down with a liquid odor neutralizer. Some hunting seasons are short lived, and others feel like they drag on forever. Before & after rut set them on the edges of feed fields, along major trails or near bedding areas. Yet using a grunt call on a buck can work too as long as you stay soft and subtle. And if you missed Thanksgiving, spring gobbler season is not that far away! Early in the season, you should use a small buck decoy to catch a passing buck’s attention. Decoys are also valuable assets that help you draw out your mark. When using a young buck decoy during the rutting season, you can also add more realism to the scene by using scraping and rustling sounds to simulate a buck scratching off velvet from its antlers. Standing decoys can be placed in tall grass, brush or any other area where deer might be found. Deer decoys as far as I’m concern happens to be one of the absolute most efficent deer hunting tools during the rut season. You can also do the same with fabric decoys, like those made by Montana Decoy. The next consideration is decoy positioning. I like to set up my decoy in the back yard and wash it down with Scent Killer Body Wash and Shampoo. http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com Should you use a deer decoy? Calls: A grunt tube is essential and is good all season long. It’s hard to imagine a deer season where his weekly articles won’t grace the pages of Rochester, Minnesota’s Post-Bulletin or MN Outdoor News. Hunting. 4. The first thing is to consider sight and smell when placing a decoy. Decoys work very well when used early during bow season in fields and plots where deer are feeding regularly. If you’re ready to invest in the ultimate hunting crossbow, look no further than Ten…, Rolling dunes, prairie grass, big bucks, a gun, and a crossbow… Does it get any bett…, New made-in-the-USA crossbows prove high performance and budget-friendly prices are not mu…, You never knew wild game burgers could taste this good! But it’s far less popular for whitetail deer. Assuming it's legal where you live, should you hunt deer with turkey decoys? I’ve never had much success with a standing doe decoy with its head in a prone, alert position. Deer decoys actually work but you have to observe proper timing when using them. In the above example you can see that in the pond we have placed ½ dozen floating duck decoys on the upwind side of the pond, then we also placed about 1 more dozen field decoys on the edges of the pond. Decoys are also valuable assets that help you draw out your mark. Early Season; Rut; Late Season; Off-Season; Scouting; Hunting Strategies; Deer Behavior & Facts; Land Management; Deer Dog; How-To; Recommended Articles. A strategic plan is required—one that will get bucks to come in close without feeling intimated or alarmed. One of the fake does was a full-bodied model, minus legs and antlers, mimicking a bedded doe in heat; the other was a standing cardboard doe silhouette.