RE: Using a deer decoy during the rut...
I used my Delta Riverbottom Buck as a decoy this last weekend. Took the horns off to use it as a doe. Had a decent sized buck come within about 25 yards of it and stop and stare, but he never got any closer to it; just turned and walked around, then left. Also had a small buck come right up to it and check it out, but it was before shooting hours [:@].
That night, I had it up again and it spooked two does just after sundown. They were walking along a wide alley and when they saw it, they stopped and stared at it awhile, then took off running the other way. They came back within 5 minutes and did the same thing again.