I wouldnt feel comfortable carrying it into the woods with the way people hunt in this state
If I hunted State or public land- I would agree.
I've used decoys on the field edges of corn and food flots as well as in the timber.
I will tell you this- put it almost UNDER your stand...I've found that bucks will hold up about 20yards out and look at the decoy.
They will start to posture up if they dont suspect something is up. The reason you dont want the decoy at 20 yards is because that buck will stop around 40...and while he is looking at that decoy, he is likely to catch you move.
Also, WHEN he travels downwind of the decoy- if you have it at 20 yards out, he will make a 40yard circle around you and bust your wind. If the decoy is right under you, you stand a better chance that he will circle that decoy within 20-30yards of your stand.
Outside of the rutting period, I wont use a decoy. There are tons of other bucks and doe in the fields- no reason to use a decoy. Bucks are smart and wary outside of the rut. A decoy is more likely to spook a buck, rather than bring him in.
Also, use a doe decoy as much as possible. Buck decoys generally only work well when used right in the core of a mature buck. In his core- he will see this buck as an intruder(also make sure there are doe in the area, its a breeding competition thing).
Never position a decoy so that it is lookign right at you. A decoy with the head up looks like an alert deer and all other deer will look where it is looking, thus increasing the odds that you will be seen.
For a buck decoy- have the rack side facing(not looking at) you but quatered to you HEAVILY. Bucks approach other bucks from the front.
With a doe decoy, have the back(butt) facing you, again at a quatering away stance.
Try to set up your decoy in a way that limits the chance of a buck traveling downwind and winding you. If you know the buck you want is coming from the north and the wind is blowing from the west, try have some kind of structure/stream/thicket behind you that will help keep that buck upwind of you for as long as possible.
Good luck.