"Scar Face" deer decoy...

Rembrandt · October 1, 2009, 05:27 PM

For my birthday the kids got me this deer decoy, Primos "Scar Face". In 40+ years of hunting I've never used a decoy....how is it done and what should I expect?

Dr. Strangelove · October 1, 2009, 05:29 PM

Expect somebody to shoot it if you aren't hunting on private land...

Hkmp5sd · October 1, 2009, 05:30 PM

Walking around the woods with that head, you could probably expect to get shot.

troy_mclure · October 1, 2009, 05:59 PM

set it up in a feild/clearing rattle/grunt till a buck comes in to challenge it, then pow.

theres quite a few youtube videos of them getting attacked/mounted.

Doyle · October 1, 2009, 06:13 PM

Don't expect it to really work until the rut. During the rut, the dominant buck in the area (the one you really want to kill) will look to chase off any challengers. He'll see this guy as a challenger.

.284 · October 1, 2009, 07:38 PM

I have actually harvested a nice 7 point with a deer decoy. There was a learning curve involved.

First, I tried it in the woods. Not the greatest results. Because of the lack of movement, deer had to be right on top of it before they even saw it. Sometimes they didn't see it at all. Second, if you have to carry it very far it really sucks.

Here's what worked. I set it up as a buck in a soy bean field while I tucked in to the fence row. I washed it in scent free soap prior to the hunt and added some clip on tarsal glands with scent. The decoy drew the buck in from about 125 yards and like a couple of the guys mentioned, he came in looking to fight. He had his ears pinned back and the hair across his whithers was standing up. I could have stood up and waived my arms and whistled... he was totally locked on to that decoy. He stopped boardside between me and the decoy. He then turned his head away from me and towards his plastic rival. 15 yard shot and I drilled him. The buck didn't have clue what had happened. He ran off about 10 yards, looked back, started wobbling, and fell over dead.

This is important! Try to make your set up in such a way that will force a buck to downwind the decoy (he will naturally want to anyway). Also, this was early season bowhunting and good month before the rut.

I almost fooled a big ten point with a similar set up at a different farm a couple years later. But, he didn't get as big as he was falling for the old plastic deer trick. He was about five steps from having an arrow ruin his day but, sensed something was up and did an about face.

I guess what I'm saying is try it. Your family bought you a very realistic decoy and it just might do the trick. Good hunting.

Rembrandt · October 2, 2009, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the tips....planning to use with bow during the rut (Nov).

shortwave · October 2, 2009, 05:31 PM

Also when setting up a buck decoy, remember when you play the wind that the natural buck will almost always approach your buck decoy from the front. A doe from the rear. When setting up in my clover field, I take buck urine and doe in heat urine saturated drag rags and walk a deer run up to the field and out to the decoy. Trying to simulate a buck running a doe. I`ll tie the buck urine rag to the decoy. Again remember the natural buck will approach from the front/downwind so position buck decoy and your stand appropriately. Goodluck!

October 1, 2009, 05:27 PM	#1
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	"Scar Face" deer decoy... For my birthday the kids got me this deer decoy, Primos "Scar Face". In 40+ years of hunting I've never used a decoy....how is it done and what should I expect?

October 1, 2009, 05:30 PM	#3
Hkmp5sd Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: Winter Haven, Florida Posts: 4,303	Walking around the woods with that head, you could probably expect to get shot. __________________ NRA Certified Instructor: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Safety, Personal Protection, Range Safety Officer NRA Life Member

October 1, 2009, 05:59 PM	#4
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	set it up in a feild/clearing rattle/grunt till a buck comes in to challenge it, then pow. theres quite a few youtube videos of them getting attacked/mounted. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

October 1, 2009, 07:38 PM	#6
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I have actually harvested a nice 7 point with a deer decoy. There was a learning curve involved. First, I tried it in the woods. Not the greatest results. Because of the lack of movement, deer had to be right on top of it before they even saw it. Sometimes they didn't see it at all. Second, if you have to carry it very far it really sucks. Here's what worked. I set it up as a buck in a soy bean field while I tucked in to the fence row. I washed it in scent free soap prior to the hunt and added some clip on tarsal glands with scent. The decoy drew the buck in from about 125 yards and like a couple of the guys mentioned, he came in looking to fight. He had his ears pinned back and the hair across his whithers was standing up. I could have stood up and waived my arms and whistled... he was totally locked on to that decoy. He stopped boardside between me and the decoy. He then turned his head away from me and towards his plastic rival. 15 yard shot and I drilled him. The buck didn't have clue what had happened. He ran off about 10 yards, looked back, started wobbling, and fell over dead. This is important! Try to make your set up in such a way that will force a buck to downwind the decoy (he will naturally want to anyway). Also, this was early season bowhunting and good month before the rut. I almost fooled a big ten point with a similar set up at a different farm a couple years later. But, he didn't get as big as he was falling for the old plastic deer trick. He was about five steps from having an arrow ruin his day but, sensed something was up and did an about face. I guess what I'm saying is try it. Your family bought you a very realistic decoy and it just might do the trick. Good hunting. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

October 1, 2009, 05:29 PM	#2
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Expect somebody to shoot it if you aren't hunting on private land...

October 1, 2009, 06:13 PM	#5
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Don't expect it to really work until the rut. During the rut, the dominant buck in the area (the one you really want to kill) will look to chase off any challengers. He'll see this guy as a challenger.

October 2, 2009, 01:46 PM	#7
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Thanks for the tips....planning to use with bow during the rut (Nov).

October 2, 2009, 05:31 PM	#8
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Also when setting up a buck decoy, remember when you play the wind that the natural buck will almost always approach your buck decoy from the front. A doe from the rear. When setting up in my clover field, I take buck urine and doe in heat urine saturated drag rags and walk a deer run up to the field and out to the decoy. Trying to simulate a buck running a doe. I`ll tie the buck urine rag to the decoy. Again remember the natural buck will approach from the front/downwind so position buck decoy and your stand appropriately. Goodluck!