Decoy Question

[The Silence]

Yesterday my friend and I were on hunts where we had 2 cruising shooter bucks who were just outside of bow range. They were interested in the calls we were using and both stopped and visually investigated where the calls were coming from but because they didn't see another deer they kept moving. It seems that if they had seen a doe or a buck actually standing there they may have come in to take a look. Do you guys feel that bucks really key in on actually seeing a deer at this time of year as they travel making their rounds to various doe bedding areas? And because of this, use of a doe decoy might make a lot of sense right now?

 

[StickersNKickers]

I've only used a decoy earlier in the season, and had them notice. I'm thinking that mature bucks are mature for a reason...they get wise. A visual should help to get them to commit, although not always 100%. If they don't see a "deer" where they think they should, then it's probably likely they won't come in, unless they come in too quick to realize they should have stopped. This would be assuming they can see a longer distance. If you're in the thick stuff, they would have a harder time seeing something where they think they should, and so they might come in closer to check it out. Just thinking that mature bucks don't just have one thing on their mind, especially as they get further into post rut???? Or they are at least more conscious of their surroundings than the younger bucks.