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# How to Decoy a Buck During the Rut
- URL: https://big-buck-journal.ghost.io/how-to-decoy-a-buck-during-the-rut/
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:19:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-29T17:18:59.000Z
- Author: Dale Richey

Bucks are looking for a fight. Give them one in bow range. 

![Big Buck Journal](https://beehiiv-images-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/asset/file/bda7b12e-9dc4-4b8e-b592-b9edddcfc7d1/BBJ_Logo2-removebg-preview.png?t=1780529087) 

The buck, the why, and the gear 

The Setup 

How to Decoy a Buck During the Rut 

Right now bucks are cruising for does and looking for a fight. A decoy gives them something to come to. Set it up right, and it pulls them into bow range and holds their attention while you draw. 

This week’s gear notes come from Montana Decoy, whose decoys are built from photos of real deer and fold down small enough to fit in a pack. Let’s get into it. 

Buck Decoy 

Pick a Fight 

Once bucks start seeking and chasing, a young, aggressive-looking buck decoy can bring a mature buck in to run it off. Go small. A decoy that looks too big can scare off the bucks you actually want. 

Set it 15 to 20 yards from your stand, upwind of you, and face it toward you at a slight angle. Bucks usually walk up to a buck decoy head-on, which puts him in front of it and close to you. 

![Montana Decoy Freshman Buck decoy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/6e/8c6e93d4-78db-4e2a-9e0f-2b8581640c45/content/images/2026/10/image-19.png) 

Gear note 

Montana Decoy Freshman Buck 

A young buck with its ears pinned back, built to challenge bigger bucks without scaring them off. Folds flat. 

$114.99 [Check price](https://www.montanadecoy.com/the-freshman-buck/?ref=big-buck-journal.ghost.io) 

Doe Decoy 

Give Him a Reason to Stop 

A doe decoy works almost all season, and during the rut a cruising buck has a hard time passing one up. Put it upwind and out in the open, where a buck can see it from a distance. 

Bucks tend to come in from behind a doe, so face her away from your stand. That way he circles toward you on his way in. 

![Montana Decoy Trixie Whitetail Doe decoy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/6e/8c6e93d4-78db-4e2a-9e0f-2b8581640c45/content/images/2026/10/image-20.png) 

Gear note 

Montana Decoy Trixie Whitetail Doe 

A calm pose that fools both bucks and does, with Teaser Tails included for a little motion. 

$114.99 [Check price](https://www.montanadecoy.com/trixie-whitetail-doe/?ref=big-buck-journal.ghost.io) 

Out West 

Mule Deer Fall for It Too 

Mule deer rut a little later than whitetails, and decoys work out West too, especially for spot-and-stalk bowhunters. On open ground, a decoy gives you cover while you close the distance. 

Keep it between you and the buck and move slowly. If other hunters might be around, carry it folded and wear orange on the walk in. 

![Montana Decoy Muley Buck decoy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/6e/8c6e93d4-78db-4e2a-9e0f-2b8581640c45/content/images/2026/10/image-21.png) 

Gear note 

Montana Decoy Muley Buck 

Built from a photo of a real mule deer buck. Folds to 20 by 18 inches and weighs about 2.5 pounds with leg poles. 

$129.99 [Check price](https://www.montanadecoy.com/muley-buck/?ref=big-buck-journal.ghost.io) 

Dale’s Take 

“A decoy won’t fix a bad spot. Put it where bucks already travel, give it room to be seen, and let it do the work.” 

Have you ever had a buck come in to a decoy? Hit reply and tell me how it went. 

Set it right. Then stay still. 

![Dale Richey headshot](https://beehiiv-images-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/asset/file/6d6f9854-bed6-4fa7-a9a2-aa4ab9e4b9ea/BBJ-AuthorHeadshot__2_.png?t=1780581127) 

Dale Richey 

Big Buck Journal 

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