Best Decoys & Calls for Attracting Deer

Have you ever been sitting in your treestand, maybe on a cold, crisp morning in the middle of the rut, and you've got your grunt tube in hand? You let out a few soft grunts, and you see him—a beautiful buck, a ghost of the woods, stepping out into your shooting lane. But then, he stops. He raises his head, his ears twitch, and he just stares in your direction. He’s heard your call, he's interested, but he's not committing. It’s that gut-wrenching, hunt-ending moment, isn’t it? You’ve got the sound, you’ve got the wind, but you're missing the final, crucial piece of the puzzle: a visual confirmation that the sounds he's hearing are real.

The truth is, while rattling antlers and grunt calls are incredibly effective, they only appeal to a deer's sense of hearing. To complete the deception, you need to appeal to their most dominant sense: their sight. That's where a deer decoy comes in. It’s the secret weapon that can turn a hung-up buck into a committed, curious, and ultimately, a successful kill. It’s the difference between a high-strung buck circling downwind and a committed, straight-line approach that ends in a perfect shot. But if you’ve ever walked into a sporting goods store or browsed online, you know the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Hard-bodied, collapsible, flocked, painted, full-body, silhouettes—the list is dizzying. And let's not forget the endless variety of calls: grunt tubes, bleat cans, rattle bags, snort-wheeze calls. How do you even begin to sort through the noise and find the combination that’s right for you and your hunting style?

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to pull back the curtain on what makes a deer call and decoy setup truly effective. We'll explore the key factors you need to consider, from realism and motion to portability and durability. We’ll also talk about the crucial role a decoy plays in distracting a buck and keeping his eyes off of you. To top it all off, I’ll share some of my favorite real-world product reviews to help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect combination to help you turn those curious bucks into a successful hunt. So, let’s get you ready to not just call them in, but to make them commit.

The Three Pillars of a Great Deer Call and Decoy System

Before we dive into the specific products, let's lay the groundwork. There are three core principles that should guide your selection, acting like a compass in a sea of options. These aren't just features; they're the very essence of what makes a call and decoy system effective.

1. Visual and Auditory Realism:
   A deer’s senses are their primary defense mechanisms. To be successful, your decoy and call must be so utterly convincing that they overcome a deer's innate wariness. This means your decoy should have a lifelike posture, a non-glare finish, and realistic coloring. Your calls, whether they are grunts, bleats, or rattling antlers, must sound like a real deer. A combination of both—a lifelike visual paired with a convincing sound—is the gold standard for deception.
   
   

2. Strategic Deployment and Timing:
   The most realistic decoy and the best-sounding call in the world are useless if they're not used correctly. A great call-and-decoy system is all about telling a compelling, believable story that is appropriate for the time of year and the hunting situation. A buck decoy and a snort-wheeze call might be perfect for the peak of the rut, but a doe decoy and a subtle bleat would be a better choice for the early season. The strategic placement of your decoy and the timing of your calls are what will turn a curious buck into a committed one.
   
   

3. Portability and Durability:
   For a hunter, you are often on the move, hunting from a variety of stands throughout the season. A decoy that is a pain to carry or a call that falls apart after a few uses is a liability. Look for decoys that are lightweight, compact, and can be easily packed in a vest or a small bag. They should also be made from a durable, flexible material that can withstand a lifetime of abuse. The same goes for your calls—they need to be able to withstand the elements and a lot of use.

Beyond the Basics:
Unpacking Key Features and Considerations

Now that we have our core principles, let's drill down into the details. When you're looking at a call or a decoy, what should you be looking for?

• Deer Decoy Types:
  The type of decoy you use will have a huge impact on your spread's effectiveness.

  • Full-Bodies: These are the most realistic decoys on the market. They are three-dimensional, life-sized, and provide a fantastic, lifelike look. They are perfect for a variety of environments, but they are also the most expensive and most difficult to transport.

  • Collapsible/2D: These are a fantastic option for a hunter who is concerned about weight and portability. They are a lightweight, two-dimensional decoy that can be easily folded up and packed into a small space. The realism of these decoys is surprisingly good, and they are a great way to add a visual element to your setup without a huge investment.

  • Silhouettes: These are two-dimensional, flat decoys that are designed to look like a deer from a distance. They are the most affordable and portable decoy on the market, and they are a great way to add a huge amount of decoys to a spread for a low price. They are perfect for a hunter on a budget, but they do not provide the same level of realism as a full-body.
    
    
    

• Deer Call Types:
  The type of call you use will have a huge impact on your calling strategy.

  • Grunt Calls: These are the most common type of deer call. They are a simple, easy-to-use call that can be used to produce a variety of buck, doe, and fawn vocalizations. The best grunt tubes are made from wood or have a soft, flexible body that can be used to manipulate the tone and volume of the call.

  • Bleat Calls: Bleat calls are designed to mimic the sounds of fawns and does. They can be very effective in the early season, as they are not aggressive and can pique the curiosity of a doe or a buck. The easiest to use is the "flip can" style, which produces a perfect bleat with a simple flip of the can.

  • Rattling Antlers: Rattling simulates the sounds of antlers crashing, which indicates a fight between two competing bucks. This is a fantastic tool for a hunter who wants to mimic a territorial fight between two bucks. A rattling bag or a set of real antlers can be used to create a variety of sounds, from a subtle tapping to a loud, aggressive crash.

The Hunter's Arsenal:
Seven Standout Deer Calls & Decoys

After years of selling and using these products, I've curated a list of seven of my favorite deer decoys and calls. Each one offers a great balance of effectiveness, value, and is a proven winner in the field.

Montana Decoy Dream Team

• Price Range: $$100 - $130 (for a combo pack)

• Review: The Montana Decoy Dream Team is the ultimate solution for a hunter on a budget. It's a combo pack that comes with a photo-realistic buck and a doe decoy. The decoys are incredibly lightweight and can be easily folded down to a fraction of their size. This is a huge advantage for a mobile hunter who is constantly on the move. The realism of the decoys is surprisingly good, with a high-definition image of a real deer printed on a durable fabric. The combo pack also allows you to create a variety of hunting scenarios, from a simple, non-threatening doe to a full-on breeding scenario. For the hunter who wants a high-quality, versatile, and affordable decoy, the Montana Decoy Dream Team is a top-notch choice.

Dave Smith Decoys (DSD) Posturing Buck Decoy

• Price Range: $$550 - $650

• Review: When it comes to realism, Dave Smith Decoys are in a class of their own. They are the gold standard for many serious turkey and waterfowl hunters, and their Posturing Buck Decoy is a prime example of why. The decoy is made from a proprietary, durable material that is incredibly realistic and will withstand a beating from an angry gobbler. The posture is a work of art, with a subtle, posturing pose that is designed to appeal to a dominant buck's ego and trigger a territorial response. For a hunter who wants a decoy that is both hyper-realistic and versatile, the Dave Smith Posturing Buck is the ultimate choice. While it's a significant investment, the performance and durability of a DSD decoy are hard to beat.

Primos Scarface Decoy

• Price Range: $$200 - $250

• Review: The Primos Scarface Decoy is a legendary decoy that has been a staple in every serious deer hunter's arsenal for decades. It's a hard-bodied, full-sized buck decoy that is made from a durable, flexible plastic. What really sets it apart is the unique, patented motion system that allows the head and tail to move with the slightest breeze, which adds a huge amount of realism to your spread. The decoy also has a removable rack, which allows you to convert it to a doe. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective decoy with built-in motion, the Primos Scarface is a top-notch choice.

Flambeau Outdoors Masters Series Grazing Doe

• Price Range: $$150 - $180

• Review: The Flambeau Outdoors Masters Series Grazing Doe is a fantastic, hard-bodied decoy that is a great, durable option. The decoy is made from a durable, blow-molded plastic and features a lifelike, non-glare paint scheme. The grazing posture is a huge advantage, as it signals to other deer that everything is safe and calm, which can put a wary buck at ease. The decoy also has a variety of other hunting-specific features, like a removable head and legs that can be stored in the body cavity, which makes it much easier to transport. For the hunter who wants a realistic, durable, and reliable hard-bodied decoy without a huge investment, the Flambeau Outdoors Masters Series Grazing Doe is an excellent choice.

Primos The Original Can Bleat Call

• Price Range: $$10 - $15

• Review: The Primos Original Can is a simple, no-frills, and incredibly effective call that every hunter should have in their bag. It’s a simple, easy-to-use call that can be used to produce a perfect, estrous doe bleat with a simple flip of the can. The sound is incredibly realistic and is a fantastic tool for a hunter who is hunting during the rut. The call is also incredibly easy to use and is a great option for a beginner. While it might not have the same level of versatility as a grunt tube, its ability to produce a perfect, realistic estrous bleat is hard to beat.

  
  
  Houndstooth Game Calls Walnut Deer Grunt

• Price Range: $$39 - $50

• Review: When it comes to natural, realistic deer vocalizations, Houndstooth Game Calls are a top-tier choice. Their Walnut Deer Grunt is a masterpiece of design, handcrafted in the USA from rich, durable solid walnut. This grunt call produces deep, throaty tones that sound incredibly realistic. The fully adjustable tone board allows you to create a full range of sounds—from loud, deep buck grunts to soft, subtle doe grunts and even fawn bleats. The call's all-wood construction and lack of plastic parts ensure a pure, natural tone that can turn a buck's head in thick timber or open country. It's a truly versatile and high-quality call that will last a lifetime.

Primos Hunting Rattling Horns

• Price Range: $$30 - $40

• Review: Primos is a name synonymous with hunting accessories, and their Rattling Horns are a fantastic, no-frills, and incredibly effective tool. They are a simple, two-piece set of rattling antlers that are designed to produce a variety of realistic rattling sounds, from a subtle tapping to a loud, aggressive crash. The antlers are made from a durable, synthetic material and are a great option for a hunter who wants to mimic a territorial fight between two bucks. The horns are also incredibly easy to use and are a great option for a beginner. For the hunter who wants a simple, no-fuss, and incredibly effective rattling horn, the Primos is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts:
Your Deception, Your Success

Choosing the right decoys and calls for attracting deer is a critical decision that every serious hunter must make. It's about finding the right balance between visual realism, strategic deployment, and a sound that can tell a compelling story to a wary buck. Don't be afraid to invest in quality. A well-made call and decoy system will last you for a lifetime, and the confidence it provides is priceless.

Remember to consider your specific needs. Are you a minimalist hunter who needs a lightweight, packable decoy for a run-and-gun hunt? Or are you a treestand hunter who needs a durable, hard-bodied decoy to pull a buck in for a close-range shot? The answers to these questions will guide you to your perfect decoy. So, go out there, find the combination that's right for you, and get ready to experience a new level of confidence and success in the field. Your decoys and calls are a serious responsibility, and with the right ones, you can ensure they're a silent partner that is always ready for anything. Happy hunting!