nvrhapy

ok went to my cabin in mid michigan last saturday and got back yesterday, very upset with the out come i had hardly any activity at my stand which was a huge diappointment because from septthrough the beginning of october i caught tons of pics on my camera of does and bucks so i thought i would definately see something when i went back. well i plan on leaving tonight and heading back up there and staying until saturday and give it another try. my question is do you guys use decoys at all during this time ? if so what kind of decoya buck or doe decoy, and what calls do you use with what decoy. i'm thinging of using a decoy and trying to call in a buck if ones in the area still. i found a bunch of fresh rubs and scrapes before i left yesterday so thats giving me some hope something is still out there. thanks any advice would be great!

PastorHunter

I've never used a decoy, but I've heard of people who have with success. At this time of year, either a buck or doe decoy should work. The thing with a decoy is, a deer (like duck decoys) must be passing by in order to see it, so if there are no deer passing by, it won't do any good.
If you can try calling the deer and they see the decoy, then it might draw them in for a shot.

RDHunter

I haven't seen much activity ether but I know there out there.
If your going to use a decoy at this time of the rut then I'd would go with a buck decoy and do a little rattling with some young buck grunts followed by some tending grunts.
If you choose to use a doe decoy then use a doe in heat bleat or blat and don't forget to put some doe in estrous sent on the rear or a white rag that will move with the wind if any.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

nvrhapy

well the last couple days i experimented with a doe decoy i already have and i used the doe in heat can call, and took some tinks 69 and put in the area. but the only activity i got was a smaller doe came in right before dark but as it came in it was stepping really hard and checking out the decoy it seemed kinda timid at first and then after about 10 minutes started eating some of the corn i had there. i think it was trying to get the decoy to move or something but i don't know it definately didn't just walk in like usual. a buck decoy i do not have but was considering buying one or some how put a rack on my doe decoy if thats even possible and use some grunt calls and a lil rattling but i'm not sure if doing this might just chase the deer away or not. i usually just sit up in my treestand, i don't use calls, decoys or scents, but i also have nvr got a buck only does so thats why i was thinking about switching things up this year???????

badshotbob

You're not seeing many deer or any bucks because I ordered them to cruise a little south-east over to my property.

I'd say concentrate more on calls and especially estrus doe pee (make sure you buy it fresh, it's expensive, but well worth it - they have it at Jays in a freezer between the guns and bows, I think the gas station across from BK one exit north of Mannsiding has it as well). If there are rubs in the area, there's obviously bucks in the area as well. I'd put in a few mock scrapes complete with doe in estrus pee and maybe some buck piss as well. I've never arrowed a deer over a mock scrape (or a natural one for that matter), but I can say from experience that it draws them into the area.

Also, watch handling the decoy to make sure you don't leave your scent all over it.

Best of luck and let us know how you do. I haven't been to the property up there yet, but one partner got a doe and said the deer population seems to be great this year. I'll be going up for the first weekend of gun. Now if I can only find a place to stay in town at this late of a date.