I used a McKenzie target to take a buck also. It was a target that was all worn out and had a hole shot through it. We patched it up with that foam in a can and painted it to look a bit more realistic. We drilled a 1 1/4 hole in its rear and inserted a 35 mm film canister. Put cotton in the canister and put some doe-in-heat scent on the cotton.

My father also used this decoy to take a buck.

I hate to admit it but I wounded another buck also with the decoy. There was a small field that I've watched two bucks chase does around and around a few nites before. The rut was peaking. All I could do was watch as they ran around out of range. A couple nites later I brought the decoy. I couldn't carry the treestand, decoy and bow, so I opted to leave the treestand in the truck.I arrived extra early and set up at the edge of the field, hunting from the ground. I went back across the field and put some doe-in-heat scent on a rag and drug it towards my set-up.
A few hours later I saw a buck running toward me with his head low and neck out stretched, just like when they are chasing does. He ran right up to thhe decoy and started sniffing its rear. Meanwhile I was drawed back and trying to settle the sightpin behind his shoulder. Just as I released, he sprang back away from the decoy.He must of smelled something else other than the doe-in-heat scent. Anyways, I missed! He stood and looked at the decoy and then at me. Then back at the decoy and back at me. I decided to try another shot. I slowly got another arrow from my quiver as he looked back and forth. It seemed to me that since the decoy didn't run, he didn't run. It was like he was watching for a reaction from the decoy. anyway, I shot again. i ended up hitting the shoulder blade. The arrow only penetrated about an inch and a half. I searched later that nite and called off work and searched the next day. I trailed him about 150 yds as the blood trail slowly ran out. I then started just searching. I didn't find him.


Yes, decoys work. There are a few things I've noticed when using them. Does seem to be really suspicious of them. I've seen does stand and stomp their feet and snort at them. Bucks react different. The funny thing is when the real deer run they sometimes stop and look back at the decoy. It is as if they are wondering why it didn't run. Bucks almost always approacha DOEdecoy to its rear. So set it up facing away from you. Bucks approach a BUCK decoy facing it. So set the decoy facing you to present a quarting away shot.