Q&A: Can you use a deer target as a decoy while you are bowhunting?

You can, but after a lot of use, full-body deer archery targets get a bit chewed up and aren’t as lifelike. Foam targets can be a bit heavier to move around a field.

However, when the rut is on, deer don’t seem to be overly concerned with all of the details of a decoy and will come into a full-body target.

If you are going to do this, human scent elimination is important. Spray your target with scent killer and add some synthetic buck or doe scent to it, depending on whether your target has antlers or not.

About the Author: Ray Blades

Ray came on board with the magazine in 1996 to establish FishOntario.com and HuntOntario.com. He contributes to OOD with a focus on gear and specialty supplements and plays a key role in the administration, financial planning, and organization of the magazine’s editorial, as well as public relations and brand development. If he’s not working, he can be found on one of our province’s great trout streams or in grouse and woodcock coverts.