The use of a decoy is not new to seasoned hunters. Using one for your deer hunting routine is never a bad decision as most hunters have a successful record rate when using a deer decoy for deer hunting. Investing in the best deer decoy for hunting will be a great investment for you whether you are new to hunting deer or you are a seasoned hunter.
With thousands of deer decoys out there, it can be too overwhelming for you to choose the right decoy for deer hunting and that is the reason we are providing you with this list of the best deer decoys.
Contents
- 1 Best decoy for hunting deer
- 1.1 1. Shooter Buck 3D Deer Archery Target with Replaceable Core
- 1.2 2. Primos Scarface Decoy
- 1.3 3. Flambeau Outdoors 5965MD Boss Babe
- 1.4 4. MONTANA DECOY Dream Team Buck and Doe
- 1.5 5. Design Toscano Big Rack Buck Deer
- 1.6 6. GlenDel Buck 3D Archery Target
- 1.7 7. DELTA Archers Choice Real-World Buck 3D Archery Target
- 1.8 8. RINEHART Woodland Jimmy Big Tine Target
- 1.9 9. Morrell Bionic Buck 3D Field Point Archery Target
- 1.10 10. Delta McKenzie Mule Deer
- 2 Types Of Deer Decoys
- 3 What are deer decoy used for?
- 4 How to use a deer decoy?
- 5 How to choose the best deer decoy?
- 6 When is the best season to use deer decoy for bow?
- 7 Frequently asked questions
- 8 Common mistakes hunters make when using a deer decoy
- 9 In Summary: The Best Deer Decoy
Best decoy for hunting deer
1. Shooter Buck 3D Deer Archery Target with Replaceable Core
[amazon box=”B003K2940W”]
2. Primos Scarface Decoy
[amazon box=”B001P5G6UC”]
3. Flambeau Outdoors 5965MD Boss Babe
[amazon box=”B001NLCKCQ”]
4. MONTANA DECOY Dream Team Buck and Doe
[amazon box=”B003JY56YE”]
5. Design Toscano Big Rack Buck Deer
[amazon box=”B00K0L8WFO”]
6. GlenDel Buck 3D Archery Target
[amazon box=”B003A1P4P2″]
7. DELTA Archers Choice Real-World Buck 3D Archery Target
[amazon box=”B004H2RRI0″]
8. RINEHART Woodland Jimmy Big Tine Target
[amazon box=”B07PH41C54″]
9. Morrell Bionic Buck 3D Field Point Archery Target
[amazon box=”B00R3I8GMQ”]
10. Delta McKenzie Mule Deer
[amazon box=”B00EE2WK6W”]
Types Of Deer Decoys
There are several different types of deer decoy that you will come across in the market. Therefore it is essential to know exactly what these different types of deer decoy are.
Silhouette Decoys
Firstly, we have the silhouette. This is named this way as they can easily be transported from one place to another. They are easy to carry and one of the advantages of having this around is that they can be folded, stored, picked up, and quickly set up when there is a need for them.
However, you need to be careful with Silhouette decoys when it is windy as they can have a tendency to scare the deer away in these conditions.
3D Decoys
Secondly we have one of the most realistic types of deer decoys which is the 3D decoys. They are named this way because of their body design and structure. Due to their design they are quite difficult to move around easily.
A major drawback to this is the fact that the size and weight might end up being the turn off for most hunters as they have to go through a process to haul the decoy from their home to hunting sites.
However, for those who prefer the full size 3D deer decoy it can be a good choice as most hunters find great success thanks to their realism.
Movement
Another type of deer decoy is the moving target and most of them take the appearance of the 3D deer decoy but with a flexible tail that can move from one place to another by the wind.
These are great when trying to make things look real to other deer.
What are deer decoy used for?
Now that you know what types of deer decoy there are we will cover exactly what they are used for and why they are important for deer hunting.
To get deer attention
Getting deer attention by choosing the best gear and the best time of day is one of the most prominent reasons that people will want to make sure that they get the right deer hunting setup. By choosing wisely you can draw the attention of deer closer to a point closer to you so that you can have higher chances of shooting at the deer without any chance of missing. A realistic decoy is likely to confuse deer as they can leave a strong visual attraction and draw them closer for a perfect shot. (North American Whitetail)
Positioning for a perfect shot
Most hunters miss out on deer because of their inability to get a perfect shot at them. You have to shoot deer at a particular position for you to easily hit your target. Therefore a good deer decoy can help with this.
Shooting practice
Additionally, you may wish to use a deer decoy for your own target practice. This is especially useful for beginners who are looking to increase their skills.
How to use a deer decoy?
Below we cover some of the ways to ensure that you get maximum results when using a deer decoy for hunting.
- Ensure your deer decoy is scent-free. This is so important as deer are super sensitive to notice strange odor and thereby raise their signal to run away from within your reach.
- Do not place your deer decoy where it will be difficult for you to see such as in the bush, under a tree or covered by grasses. It has to be positioned where it can easily call the attention of real deer.
- Position the deer decoy in front of yourself. This gives you the opportunity to easily approach any nearby deer.
- Make the deer decoy so real with your setup as you should get rid of things that could affect your chances of having a perfect hunting performance
How to choose the best deer decoy?
There are some vital factors that will help you in choosing the best deer decoy. They are important to ensure you do not have to regret with your choice of investment.
Ease of use
If you find it difficult to use your deer decoy, then the main purpose of buying it is not achieved. Therefore, if you are getting a deer decoy, you need to consider the ease of use and some factors that contribute to this such as the material of the deer decoy, the weight, and the size.
These factors all combine to make it convenient in moving the deer decoy from your home to the hunting site.
Realism
If the deer decoy is not almost real to you as a hunter, then it probably won’t work. If that is the case, it will be to difficult to get the attention of a deer. Get a deer decoy that is complete and looks almost real which will leave real deer confused.
Stability and durability
Stability and durability are key factors. If the decoy is not stable after set up, then it will be a threat to your hunting performance. It also has to be durable to handle whatever the environment condition is at the time of using it.
Calling and rattling noise
You don’t just put out a deer decoy there and expect deer to come around it. You can enhance your chance of completely attracting a deer through the use of the right deer hunting call. You need to get the deer call for attracting deer and use it whenever you set up your deer decoy in the field.
When is the best season to use deer decoy for bow?
Deer hunting has its own hunting season and so you need to know the season that you should use a deer decoy is. We know this might be difficult for you especially if it’s your first time or you are new to using a decoy.
Early season
The time that bucks are known to start establishing their hierarchy is during the early season. During this period, they can be seen around because they most likely spent the summer in the same areas without any sign of intruders such as hunters. As it may be, you are not advised to use some sort of giant deer decoy during this season.
You can make use of a young deer decoy and place it about 20 yards away from a field edge. You must ensure that the decoy faces towards the trail bucks uses to enter the field. This will be seen as prey to the buck and most likely approach to satisfy the hunger while you are not far to get a perfect shot.
There are other seasons such as pre-rut season, peak rut, and post-rut but the best time is early in the season.
Frequently asked questions
Do I use a call after using a deer decoy?
Yes, this is necessary and some people might overlook this. This will boost your likelihood of deer hunting success. This is because it helps to completely call the attention of the deer and draw them closer to your own reach.
Is it right to use scent killer on deer decoy?
Yes, you should see it as a habit to use your scent killer on your deer decoy before set up. This will help you get rid of a strange smell or odor that could be a signal to the approaching deer because they have a high sense of smell.
When is the best time to use deer decoy?
The best time you should use the deer decoy is during the early season or prior to the rut or mating season. During this season they look around for estrus and with few around, you can tell that a deer decoy could easily get their attention.
Common mistakes hunters make when using a deer decoy
Deer decoys might sound very promising, but they can end up disappointing you if you fail to use them properly. Many hunters try different types of setup (NP Telegraph) but by following these steps, you can avoid these common mistakes and maximize your hunting enjoyment.
- Failure to position the decoy in the right position
- Not using the right decoy
- Using a decoy without a matching call
- Failure to practice good scent control
- Using a decoy without attractants
In Summary: The Best Deer Decoy
Along with other key accessories such as the best broadheads for deer, choosing the best deer decoy is essential when hunting for deer. By choosing one of our options that we outline above you can be sure that you are better positioned for success the next time that you go out deer hunting, no matter which state you visit.