I’ve started using decoys here and there for deer hunting, with mixed results.

For every encounter like the one pictured here, there’s a case of the decoy spooking deer. In fact, my nickname for this decoy is Spooky. That’s not really fair because Spooky — A Carry-Lite EZ Buck HD – has actually been effective more often than not.

Before details on this hunt, a disclaimer: Be careful when using decoys. It is generally recommended to not use them during firearms season. I employed Spooky in this case only because I am hunting on private property, behind a locked gate and bordered by a deep river.

So, I put Spooky out on Wednesday afternoon and he didn’t spook anything. The first doe into the field was slightly startled, but then calmed down. In fact the first four deer into the field actually kind of eased around Spooky, almost like they found some comfort in his presence.

About 4:30 p.m. this buck showed up. He appears to be a 3 1/2-half-year-old,  but he is not a shooter on this place. I tried to shoot video but messed it up. I hoped he would attack Spooky but he didn’t. He just tried to lure Spooky into a fight and when Spooky refused, he ambled off to chase a couple does.

Speaking of chasing, we are seeing plenty. Just waiting to see more shooter bucks.

Yesterday evening I employed a set of Montana decoys – the a buck and doe Dream  Team. They pulled in one 2.5-year-old eight-pointer, which walked in to sniff the buck’s butt and then freaked out when the 2-D decoys “vanished.” I did get that on video and it was hilarious.

The one thing about decoys is you can’t use them too much or they lose effectiveness. So I am unsure about whether or not I will try again this afternoon. It’s tempting. Very tempting.