Tinks trophy buck lure

[Hoyt]

I've used all kinds of buck lure and killed several bucks with their nose right up against the lure hanging from limb...one I shot while he was licking it.
The one I've had best results with is Trial's End #407 by Wildlife Research.
I can't say that the lure..lured them in..but they did walk over to it and give it a whiff.
I normally put two out..and use the Tink's dispensers. I sweat so much getting to my hunting area..no matter how hot or cold it is..I'm soaked in sweat, that and the fact that the wind here changes directions every few minutes..I figure the buck lure can't hurt. No. 407 seems to work all season..has a liquorice type smell along with doe in heat.
I've never had a deer spook from it that I know of.

 

[Stumpkiller]

The question I always puzzle over is what does someone do if the wind shifts from a less desirable direction...do they stop hunting and go home?

You adopt. Alter your course so you're still working into the wind. I've walked miles to make a desireable approach into prime deer habitat only to have the wind shift.

The worst are the light-air days. You have a low, prevailing wind (usually from the west around here) and as the day heats up the thermals work up slope from the warmer fields in the valleys. At the same time the cool air is "falling" down the ravines a gulleys.

When I bow hunt I tie a maribou (turkey down) feather to my string with a thread.

Sometimes, if the wind shifts and you've "contaminated" a good area the best solution is to back out, circle wide, and approach from the opposite side. The deer will be alerted to a threat upwind and may be spooked, but watching the wrong approaches.

Some days I don't see a deer. Some days I see waving tails in the distance. But, deer make mistakes, too. If you put in enought time it may happen when you are ready. Won't happen if you give up and go home. MANY times I see the deer and have three seconds of opportunity from when they "appear" to when they are gone.

Another thought on lures and coverscents. Deer are not stupid. If they see you and smell apples, stale doe pee or Tostitoes, they will associate danger with those scents from then on.