ORIGINAL: Howler
Yip Brod is correct in that the use of live animals as bait/decoys are illigal in most states. Check with your regs. before even thinking about doing it.
IMO, a decoy is the last piece of equipment that I would spend my money on for calling predators. Most coyote and bobcats, even to this day, are shot without the use of any decoy. A decoy won't fix bad stand selection, or sloppy approach of stands, won't hide human odor, etc. etc. Unless ya just gotta have one and the money is burning a whole in your pocket, spend your money on some new calls, or better optics, or gas to get out and back, or ammo.
Yes but a decoy sometimes will cause the critter to focus and something other than the shooter, thus leaving more room for rifle adjustment or whatever.