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Decoys Are Deadly
I know it’s just the end of June, but hearing this story made me want to break out my hunting gear and hit the woods wide open! If you have watched any deer hunting shows lately there is a good chance you have probably seen some type of footage that involves a bruiser buck with a swelled neck kicking the crap out of a plastic decoy. Without question, adding a decoy to your setup during certain times of the season can generate some intense and adrenalin pumping action that you will never forget. Just ask longtime bowhunter John Phillips from Oklahoma City what kind of impact a decoy can have on your overall success in the field.
Last season, Phillips strategically placed a basket-racked buck decoy in an open area with high visibility during an early November bowhunt in Kansas. On the first evening, Phillips was stunned when a heavy-tined 8-point marched straight to his decoy and demolished it right under his stand. In fact, this bad boy showed no remorse for the poor decoy and actually broke one of the plastic legs completely off before proudly strutting across the field like a heavyweight champion. This intense encounter really got Phillips fired-up even though the buck was not a shooter.
After patching up the decoy, Phillips set it out again the next morning and patiently waited for daylight. It wasn’t too long before another rut-crazed 8-point showed up and challenged the decoy with turned-up bristles and a series of powerful snort-wheezes. Once again, Phillips decided to pass on the buck and hold out for a long-tined giant with a bad attitude. About 30 minutes later, his decision paid off when a beefed up 9-point decided to face off with the smaller decoy. Phillips was able to snap several unbelievable shots of the buck as it approached the decoy from across the field.
Then at 27 yards Phillips replaced the camera with his bow and laid the smack down on one of his best bucks ever. The bruiser only ran a few yards from the stand before piling up and ending a perfect Kansas hunt during the rut. Congratulations John on an outstanding buck and a remarkable decoying story. For more information about deadly decoying strategies checkout upcoming issues of Outdoor Life Magazine and continue to visit the Big Buck Zone.—Travis Faulkner
Travis, the action shots of the bucks with the decoys are awesome! I'm like you, it makes me want to go hang up my stand!
Posted by: Renae | July 10, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Congrats John on a Great Buck! Phenomenol hunting story! Travis, after reading this I think I'm going to go buy me a decoy.
Posted by: deerhunter3 | July 10, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Renae and Deerhunter3,
I also got pumped up while writing this story. Without question, decoying can dramatically increase your chances of pulling a buck close. This is really important when hunting open country where a few yards can be the difference in a kill and a story about the one that got away.
By the way, you can checkout some of my articles about decoying strategies in upcoming issues of Outdoor Life Magazine. Good luck this season and don't be afraid to try a decoy this year.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | July 10, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Travis,
Wow! Just a quick question from a novice hunter. Are the decoys most effective at a particular point in the season? Can/should they be used at any point? Interesting article! Thanks!
T. Lee
Posted by: T. Lee | July 10, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Great buck John! Travis I'm going on a bow hunt in early November in Illinois, after reading this article I'm getting a decoy! Also I'll be moving to Kentucky real soon. I'm excited about hunting there, I hear there are some really nice bucks in the blugrass state.
Posted by: Adam | July 10, 2008 at 09:05 PM
DONT USE DECOY'S ON STSTE LAND!!!!
Posted by: Dirty | July 10, 2008 at 09:27 PM
That's an incredible buck!! I think that I'll go out and get a decoy to put on our farm!! Great story!!
Posted by: bryan hopkins | July 10, 2008 at 09:41 PM
T. Lee,
In most cases, it really depends on the phase of the rut. I've had my best luck during late October through November in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois.
In late October, bucks in many states are beginning to cruise for does and you will see a dramatic increase in buck sign - like scrapes and rubs. At this point in the season, they are really territorial. A basket-racked buck decoy placed in an area that offers high-visibility can trigger an aggressive response from mature bucks.
I also recommend coupling your decoy setup with scent (tarsal and buck urine placed on the ground or an overhangning branch - not the decoy) and calling (grunts and even a snort wheeze depending on the situation). This combination attacks all three of a buck's senses - sight, smell, and hearing. In the past, these decoying strategies have really produced some exciting hunts for me.
However, by no means does decoying work everytime, but it can really help pull a buck in close in open areas. Make sure you keep safety in mind when hunting with a decoy. Where hunter orange when transporting and setting it up in the field. On public land, the safe bet is to use a buck decoy during bow season. During gun season it can be very dangerous. I hope these tips help and good luck this year with the decoys. Tag a monster!
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | July 10, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Adam,
It's good to hear the Bluegrass State will have another deer hunter. I live in KY and the deer hunting can be unbelievable in certain parts. By the way, decoying can bring the big boys in close in KY just like in other states. Some of the strategies I discussed in my response to T. Lee have worked for me in here.
However, as Dirty said be extremely careful when using a decoy period, but especially on public land. Wear hunter orange when transporting and setting the decoy up in the field. I also shy away from using a decoy during the gun season when I hunt public land. It can get wild and harry when Joe Blow who has never hunted decides to buy a high-powered rifle at Walmart and hits the woods with an itchy trigger finger.
Try a decoy during late October and after the November gun season in the Bluegrass State. There is nothing like seeing a top-heavy buck with a beef-cow body march up to your decoy with bristles up and drool flying. I love it! Good luck this season and I think you're really going to like living in Kentucky.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | July 10, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Travis,
I have always seen the use of decoys on television but have never applied them to my arsenal when heading into the woods. This article has given me a different outlook on utilizing a decoy.
I will be packing one in with me when I go this year with hopes of seeing a heavy weight wresting match between my decoy and a bruiser buck.
I'm not one to wish my summer away but I'm looking forward to deer season!! Thanks for the pointers Travis!
Posted by: Tyler Chrisman | July 11, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I don't like to be judgemental or discriminating, but I'm always standing up for and in defense when organizations try to take our right to hunt away. I know this article has nothing to do with it, but I had to laugh when I invisioned an anti-hunter or activist inside of a decoy. Then would they soon see and experience how agressive and abusive bambi can be, for territorial rights and lovin. Unless you knew that the decoy exterior would deflect an antler, it would frighten anyone. Most importantly, good story, management, and great shot John.
Posted by: Jimbo S | July 11, 2008 at 02:42 PM
tRAVIS IM A BIG FAN OF YOURS,bUT I HAVE SENT 2 STORIES TO YOU ONE THE 174 3/8 4 DROP TINE APPLE ORCHARD BUCK I HARVESTED IN 2007, THE OTHER ONE ON KENTUCKY YOUTH AND IVE NEVER GOT RESPONSE FROM YOU I WISH YOU WOULD AT LEAST RESPOND JIMMY KENTUCKY
Posted by: JIMMY RHODUS | July 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Jimmy Rhodus,
The magazine just informed me about the stories you sent and are in the process of emailing them to my email address here in Kentucky. As soon as I receive them, I will try do an article on the BBZ for you. By the way, congratulations on the 174 3/8 drop tine buck. I can't wait to see some pictures of this bruiser.
Also, I am really glad you like my work and I am looking forward to checking out your stories over the next couple of days. I am excited to find out what part of Kentucky your youth hunt buck was taken. I grew up hunting the mountain country of southeastern Kentucky and love hearing about bucks from the Bluegrass State. Good luck this fall and I hope you drop the hammer on another heavy-racked giant.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | July 14, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Travis~
Im very happy to hear back from you...because my daughter and I are VERY big fans of your articals, we love to hear all the information you give that helps us try to harvest a whitetail of a LIFE time. Also the droptine buck was killed by me with a bow on September 17,2007. The kentucky youth story is about the accomplishments that my daughter has made over the last 3 years... like regional rifle champ for 2 years in a row, also the 2 youngsters that i help harvest their 1st whitetail last year.
Thanks a bunch...
Jimmy Rhodus
Posted by: Jimmy Rhodus | July 14, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Jimmy,
No problem - as soon as I receive the email from Outdoor Life I will work on a story we discussed. I can't wait to see pictures of the Apple Orchard buck with your bow. It sounds like a monster. Tell your daughter congratulations on earning the regional rifle champion title. I am extremely proud of her for deer hunting as well.
Like you I love spending time in the outdoors with my family, especially my son James Travis who just turned 13. He tagged a nice 13-point last year on public land in Whitely County with his .260 Remington bolt action rifle. He also dropped the hammer on two nice longbeards last spring. I wouldn't have traded those hunts with him for the biggest buck in the woods. I hope you and your daughter make it hard on the whitetails this season. Good luck and Good Hunting!
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | July 14, 2008 at 10:26 PM