Decoy's and the rut?

[Ken Catch]

I was stillhunting a scrape line that looks real good. Near the end of shooting light a nice big bodied 6 point slips into the brushcut area 100 yds uphill of me. I was sitting in a clump of brush thinking the deer were coming from the other direction. I figured if I rolled the can it might bring him down the line to the next scrape I was set on. It worked and he trotted down to within 15 yards. I happened so quick I barley got my release on the loop and never got to draw. He stood fow a minute or two then walked of back up the hill. Never scented me or snorted.

I was thinking that if I placed my Delta target less the rack near the scrape it my take his attention from me giving me time to let the air out of him. Any thoughts from past experiences? Any pointers? Thanks for the info in advance. I was thinking about scenting the target with doe in estrous.

[cynikalHC]

Rather than puttin scent on the target just put it around it. I heard that buck decoys are better. Wont attract the does that will then have a chance to bust you before the big boy comes in. These are jsut things that I have heard. I wished I had a decoy out last Sat. evening because I grunted in a huge 8 and since he didnt see another deer he didnt hang around long enough for me to get a shot.

[Kent Co. Boy]

a decoy would take the eyes off you more, i never thought about keeping the antlers on but its a good point if it keeps the eagle eyed does off...

[shawnfogelman]

After using a decoy I would strongly recomend to you to make sure that you have the decoy facing themain trail alongside the scrape while you are just diagonal from the decoy. By doing this, the approaching deer will keep their attention on the decoy and if it's a buck that comes in, he will always come in to meet the decoy face to face giving you time (without detection from moving) to draw your bow back for the shot. Good luck!