Decoy question


VTbowman

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I am thinking of setting a decoy out in a field that my box stand over looks. (Which is all of them-LOL)

I had a buck sneak across a short opening about 240 yards away yesterday and I saw him pause to scan the feilds before slippping in to the woods. I had enough time to see him lift binos and check for points and he was gone. I saw definate beams but did not see points and we now have antler restrictions and I dont wanna shoot unless I know for sure.

D-uh right.. LOL

I feel that if he saw a doe standing out in the field that he may of pause longer at minimum and I may of had time to get the gun on him for a shot.

I called to him with the Great Big Can and a True Talker but no show.

When using a doe decoy, how would you position the tail to simulate a doe in heat?

Straight up is an alarm so I dont want that.

How about straight backwards?

Or angled out but down?

(I have never really seen a doe in heat standing still.)

BTW I plan to place some white plastic or whatever on it to get movement.

I want her to look like she cant wait one more minute for the buck to take care of business.

Thanks

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Re: Decoy question

My opinion is don't worry about how the tail is positioned, right now his first interest is that it is a doe grin.gif If you really want to mess with the tail i would have it straight back (paralel with her back) At that distance it might bring him in a ways to check the "doe" or he might just keep on going, just depends on what part of the rut your in and what real does are available.

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Guest HaDeRonDa

Re: Decoy question

She will lift her tail but only if and when he gets in close. Leave it down!! He could care less about tail position. He just first wants to get in close to smell her.

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Guest Illinois1958

Re: Decoy question

If the rut is near you want to use a buck decoy, not a doe. Position him quartering toward you. The bucks will come to it. It will spook some does but dont worry about that.

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Re: Decoy question

Angled out but down, I would say.

That gives the buck the message that she is alerted to him, but not alarmed, but ready to react.

It might just peak his curiousity that much more.

I agree with the others, that he will want to come in and get a sniff, just to see where she is at oestrus-wise. grin.gif

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Guest Illinois1958

Re: Decoy question

The pre-rut is the perfect time to use a buck decoy. The bucks are aggressive and will be looking for a fight. Greg Miller taught me this many years ago. Trust me, the buck decoy is much more effective this time of year.

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Guest Hunter36

Re: Decoy question

I would say just the putting the decoy there no matter what position will make him puase longer. If you were bow hunting it may matter alittle more so i wouldnt really worry to much about that. just make sure he can see the decoy easily. If you want him close maybe a buck and a doe decoy. just a thought.

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Re: Decoy question

Its full rut not pre-rut in VT during our rifle season and a doe decoy work far better in my area since the ratio is out of wack and there is absolutely no compitition between bucks.

Challenging a buck with a buck decoy will get you exact oposite results in this area.

I personally believe its the saem for mature buck grunting calls. JMO

Unfortunately for me.

My best bet to position a lone doe way out in the open in view of as much woods line as I can and hope a buck is cruising just inside checking fields for doe.

Thats my hopes anyways...

I just was unsure about tail positioning and now I believe I have my answer.

Thanks to all for your inputs.

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Re: Decoy question

[ QUOTE ]

The pre-rut is the perfect time to use a buck decoy. The bucks are aggressive and will be looking for a fight. Greg Miller taught me this many years ago. Trust me, the buck decoy is much more effective this time of year.

[/ QUOTE ]

umm its november 17th...im quite sure every state in the U.S. is in full rut or close enough

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