Elk decoys - helpful when hunting alone?

[northwesthunter84]

I think that I am going to invest in the Heads Up Cow decoy and give that a try this year.  I will clip it to bushes as an attention grabber and for reassurance if a bull hangs up.  Just hoping we still have an early season this year.

[pianoman9701]

I own and use two decoys.  The first will "always" be on my bow, they work and work very well. 

http://www.poisonarrowgear.com/

The second is also a great tool in my elk kit but is deployed a bit more as the hunt dictates (I sometimes use the cow behind decoy slip and sometimes the camo slip).  Plus, it's a great walking stick!   

http://elkmtngear.com/

I just talked to my local archery shop about the poison arrow decoy and he said he'd looked at it but was concerned about bow stability in anything but the slightest wind. Can you address that concern, please?

[buglebrush]

Heads up for me.  I really like it with two people even more.  The caller can poke the head above the brush and draw the bull past the shooter.  Very very mobile which fits my style perfectly.

[xXLojackXx]

I received one of the Poison Arrow decoys and I'm not sold on it. Seems like a big sail hanging off my quiver when deployed. I've "heard" of hunters walking up to bulls within bow range in the open with it deployed, but does anybody here actually have feedback using one?

[WapitiTalk1]

I personally can't speak for how the PAG decoy affects point of impact in higher winds.  I would assume that if you're hunting in a howling windstorm, the deployed decoy may affect ability to hold a pin on target but then again, I wouldn't be shooting very far with strong winds anyway...just my thoughts and not trying to be combative.  I've shot my bow out to 60 yards with the decoy deployed at targets, with minimal wind, and had no issues hitting the objective; the thing weighs 3.3 ounces so I don't believe it causes any unecessary bow torque.

I think they're a game changer for sure. I deployed mine a handfull of times last September and literally had cows/calfs feeding right to me! They knew I was there and would periodically lift their heads and stare right at me and each time, I'd sway that sweet cow face back and forth slightly and they'd go back to feeding. Closest one little bunch came my way was less than 20 yards in a pretty open spot.  I was calling them to me and really ticking off the little herd bull who remained on the other side of a patch of alder.  Unfortunately, my buddy couldn't quite get a shooting lane on that guy.  Fun times!   

[poisonarrow]

If you are in a wind you can pop it out of your quiver and hold it in your hand or tie it on a bush. It does not have to be used only on your bow.
You can also dedicate an arrow and put a broadhead on one end and a field point on the other.  Then you have another option. Pop it out of your quiver and stick it in the ground.

This decoy is mounted to an arrow. It comes out as easily as removing an arrow. You do not have to only use it on your bow.

The huge benefit is the fact that it is ready at all times. While walking through the woods do not have it deployed. Use it like you do an arrow. When you would nock an arrow is when you would deploy the decoy. If you bust an elk you can deploy it in a second.  It is not in your pack or on your back, it is ready.

There is no noise while shooting and it does not affect your shot.

I  give a hundred percent satisfaction  guaranty. If you are not completely satisfied, send it back for a complete refund.

[poisonarrow]

slim 9300 sent me a video of walking up on a bull across an open meadow. He got within 25 yds before the bull took off.  He was not trying to kill the bull, just trying out the decoy. Maybe he will give his thoughts on the decoy.

[buglebrush]

If you are in a wind you can pop it out of your quiver and hold it in your hand or tie it on a bush. It does not have to be used only on your bow.
You can also dedicate an arrow and put a broadhead on one end and a field point on the other.  Then you have another option. Pop it out of your quiver and stick it in the ground.

This decoy is mounted to an arrow. It comes out as easily as removing an arrow. You do not have to only use it on your bow.

The huge benefit is the fact that it is ready at all times. While walking through the woods do not have it deployed. Use it like you do an arrow. When you would nock an arrow is when you would deploy the decoy. If you bust an elk you can deploy it in a second.  It is not in your pack or on your back, it is ready.

There is no noise while shooting and it does not affect your shot.

I  give a hundred percent satisfaction  guaranty. If you are not completely satisfied, send it back for a complete refund.

I am definitely intrigued.  Wish I could see one in person.  Would be handier for the shooter than my current system.

[pianoman9701]

slim 9300 sent me a video of walking up on a bull across an open meadow. He got within 25 yds before the bull took off.  He was not trying to kill the bull, just trying out the decoy. Maybe he will give his thoughts on the decoy.

Welcome to the site as a sponsor, Poisonarrow. I just ordered one of your decoys. 

[tbrady]

Thanks for all the great input everyone.  And poisonarrow, I'm seriously considering buying one...  I drew a quality bull tag this year and trying to do everything I can to make the most of it.

[coachcw]

They work good but I'd be Leary about ussing them in crowded areas.

[WapitiTalk1]

They work good but I'd be Leary about ussing them in crowded areas.

If "anybody" is shooting at a cow face, they need more than a stern reprimand 

[huntnnw]

Depends where you hunt..in NE WA I bought one and it has sat in my basement for 15 years.. its to thick for them to ever see it and when they do see it they are in bow range

[slim9300]

I own and use two decoys.  The first will "always" be on my bow, they work and work very well. 

http://www.poisonarrowgear.com/

The second is also a great tool in my elk kit but is deployed a bit more as the hunt dictates (I sometimes use the cow behind decoy slip and sometimes the camo slip).  Plus, it's a great walking stick!   

http://elkmtngear.com/

I just talked to my local archery shop about the poison arrow decoy and he said he'd looked at it but was concerned about bow stability in anything but the slightest wind. Can you address that concern, please?

I used the Poison Arrow cow decoy all last season and I hunted with the decoy for 4 weeks in both WA and MT. I also played around with the decoy for months before the season. The decoy flat out works and is the only decoy I will ever use. (And I have owned most of the options out there) All other types of decoys have been a hassle that simply aren't worth it. They never end out coming out because there isn't enough time. This decoy is nothing like the others and deploys is literally 2 seconds. Plus, it's shields your draw and distracts your quarry!

In light wind it's not noticeable. I heavy wind you simply don't deploy the decoy. If you are hunting in the timber there is rarely enough wind to affect the decoy. I will never hunt without the decoy on my bow. I could have killed a bunch of raghorns and a handful of six points last year with the help of the decoy holding the elk's attention for significantly longer than normal. I attributed this increase in time as being directly related to the decoy. I ended up killing an 8x7 on the second to last day of the hunt.




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[slim9300]

I received one of the Poison Arrow decoys and I'm not sold on it. Seems like a big sail hanging off my quiver when deployed. I've "heard" of hunters walking up to bulls within bow range in the open with it deployed, but does anybody here actually have feedback using one?

See my post at the end of the thread. Let me know if you have any questions.


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