Are decoys worth their weight in the backcountry of Washington?

[Dutchie]

Is it worth the extra pound or two to have a heads up or montana decoy with you?  The area I drew has a lot of hikers in the wilderness and a lot of off roasters in the NF. I will be hiking in 2-3 miles for base camp and hunting out from their. But it's likely these elk will have seen people and possibly been pushed. I have been slowly upgrading my backpacking gear but my system is still pretty heavy. Thoughts and opinions? Thanks

[MLBowhunting]

A decoy can give you that extra second or two that you may need to make a shot.  It can also keep their eyes on the decoy rather then trying to find what is making the noise.   

[deerhunter_98520]

To me it would be worth it....the decoy could make that bull feel more comfortable and come in those last few crucial steps for the shot and without it the bull may hang up out of range for archery

[RadSav]

I never felt mobile enough with decoys.  Maybe if they had ever worked for me my attitude would change.  But after three seasons of packing them around, setting them up, taking them down, setting them up, taking them down...I ditched them in favor of more water, more energy and more mobility.  Three things I feel benefit my success more than a two dimensional decoy.

[kentrek]

I never felt mobile enough with decoys.  Maybe if they had ever worked for me my attitude would change.  But after three seasons of packing them around, setting them up, taking them down, setting them up, taking them down...I ditched them in favor of more water, more energy and more mobility.  Three things I feel benefit my success more than a two dimensional decoy.

 

[WapitiTalk1]

I own two decoys and they will both be in use this fall as that day's hunt calls for.  The first one, the EMG Slip System with both the camo slip (camo slip will be used when setting up by wallows, trail intersections, saddle crossings, etc.), and, the sexy cow butt slip (will be deployed in run/gun situations to keep barney bull's interest while my partner gets the shot.  The EMG system also doubles as a hiking pole, an umbrella for rain/afternoon sun, a camera mount, and even an overhead cover for a tree stand.   

http://elkmtngear.com/

The second decoy I own is a new product for this year.  The Poison Arrow Gear cow face decoy will be in my quiver on all my hunts this year.  This thing weighs virtually nothing, and, I think it will have something to do with a bunch of elk noses hitting the dirt this year. 

http://www.poisonarrowgear.com/

Both company owners are sponsors here and both are very good cats that will answer any questions you may have about their products.  Happy hunting!  RJ