Yamaha Outdoors Tips: Trick or Treat? Deer Decoy Tactics

Want to play a trick or treat with the whitetails this Halloween? Use decoys to trick them into thinking there’s a treat.

Buck or Doe?

Doe decoys might work most any time. Early in the season, the sight will put other deer at ease and may draw them nearer. During the rut a doe represents a potential mate, and a buck might approach, particularly if they can pick up olfactory signals like estrus scent.

However, a buck is more likely to approach another buck, which represents a potential rival. Use a buck and a doe decoy and they’ll come, often more quickly, and with fire in their eyes.

How Big?

Adjust the “level of competition” to match your objective. Your decoy should be slightly smaller than your intended victim. Big bodied decoys work great on big bucks, but may intimidate smaller or younger ones. Rack size is also particularly important as evidence suggests that a buck’s antlers play an important role in demonstrating his age and vigor to other deer.

When?

A solo buck decoy has a wider area of opportunity because bucks fight well before the rut. The closer to rut you get the more intense it gets, and the more effective your decoy is. The competitive card is best played during the peak of rut.

How?

How you position your decoy(s) depends a lot on which sex you use. A buck will more often approach another buck head on, and a doe from the rear. Position your decoy accordingly to offer the best shot opportunity. Also make sure they’re well in range of your weapon of choice, and upwind of your position.

For tips on how to enhance your decoy to perceive to be even more realistic, please visit – Yamaha.com.

Yamaha

The pursuit...

A checkered flag. A scenic panorama unfolding around the bend. A trophy catch. A pulse-quickening stretch of road or trail. Heads turning as you pass by. Even coming home at the end of a hard day's work.

Whatever your pursuit, Yamaha is there, too, pursuing our goals. We want to satisfy our customers and exceed their expectations with products and services of superior quality, unmatched performance, and extraordinary value.

With an ever-expanding line that includes motorcycles, outboard motors, ATVs, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel, and much more, we at Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., strive to contribute to the quality of life. Your life.

Life can have many exciting, memorable experiences. Creating opportunities for them is what Yamaha is all about.