Elk decoys?

[funkster]

Well the title says it all! I am wondering who uses them, how you go about setting them up and just your general thoughts about them.

My first "go around" with decoys was this year and I used a Montana elk decoy on this setup. We called in a young bull mid day and did a quick setup that brought the elk into 30 yards. My dad got a draw on him but a tree was covering his vitals and he busted. We decided to go back to the spot for the evening hunt and try are luck with the decoy. We setup the decoy and had a caller about 60-70 yards behind the elk a shooter and a camera man. We knew a bull was in the area and we started to try to work him in(yeah the wind was right,thanks for the concern) . We first started out with light cow talk then we upped the intensity with some estrus wines..etc. After about 20 min go by we get this horrible bugle pretty close to are setup,  I could tell it is another hunter. We stopped calling for a while to see if he would leave but he just kept calling and calling. To make a long story short we get to the road and he is standing on the road with ever primos call invented strapped to his body. I ask him was that him bugling and he says with a straight face.. no so I played along and said must have been a elk.

Anyways,it was pretty scary walking up to the decoy knowing there was another hunter really close ready to take a shot. After that day we leave the decoy at camp. We had two other situations where we got busted and I know if we had the decoy we probably would have gotten a shot off. So tell your decoy stories and post what you think about them!

[gasman]

I have  Montana decoy also. I have had no luck with it at all, but i keep on trying.

If the hunting is going bad we will put it out at the entrance of our camp with a sign that say's "Have You Seen Me".
Most guys drive by and laugh give us the thumbs up, and an occasional beer from people stopping in to BS.

[blacktail luv]

I bought one thinking i would use it a lot, havn't used it yet.  I've carried it around a bunch, but it seems like i never have time to set it up.  One of these days it will come in handy I am sure.

[MIKEXRAY]

I used one for the first time this year. Had a cow come check it out & was relieved that it didn't scare her away. She stood there feeding by it. I didn't shoot the cow because I had a bull permit, she was 25 yards for 30 minutes. Could of had my first archery elk.   Also the same day a bear came down the trail and when he got 30 yards from my decoy his back arched up & all the hair stood up. He hopped around stiff legged hissing at it like a cat. He calmed down & took the trail right below me. I had a 25 yard shot on him but passed because I thought he was to small. The year before I had 4 bulls come to my call but would not come closer than 100 yards without seeing the other bull. ( lone caller ). I thought the decoy might bring them in the rest of the way. last year only bulls answering from afar , didn't see one to test. There is an old thread on here from last year ( Aug 08 ) where Todd id gives great advice on setting one up & using it. Worth the read for sure. Mike

[WAPITIHUNTER]

I tried using one a couple years ago and all it did was attract people. Hmmm.

Also on a more serious note. Do not ever crouch behind your decoy. I have some friends that have had other hunters shoot at their decoys while actively calling and hunting.(bow hunting)

That would really suck to get shot. Anyway, be safe and use your thinker.

[funkster]

Yeah, I totally agree. Never stand behind your decoy during hunting season! I know they will work in the right situation on public land but I think if you had some  private land that held elk they would really work great. I think this year I am going to give it another shot as I found a really nice setup spot this season. It sure would set a bull that is coming in at ease seeing another elk.

Last year while scouting I used some sticks on my head as antlers. I kinda hunched over to get that elk feel and I was able to get within 6 yards of a few spikes and a rag horn, it felt as if they welcomed me into their herd. Maybe the decoy would be a good scouting tool.

[gasman]

You know, i remember seeing a hunting show that a couple of guys were bow hunting blacktail deer in Alaska. they made and wore hats tha looked like a doe's head.

They used a tan baseball hat, brown, black and tan felt. they cut out ears  and sewen them to the side's and glued what what resembled a nose to the brim and sewen eyes to the front of the hat.

They snuck with in 10 yards of all the deer they shot and several does just for the fun of it.


Been thingking of making one my self but have never done it. Some day i should get off my duff and do it.

[gasman]

Any one have any DEER antler head gear left over from christmas?

That would be a some thing to try.

[heavy hauler]

i carry one in my pack for the first few days of season.  then re evaluate my gear in my pack and leave it at home the rest of the season. i know it can and will work.it just hasnt for me.

[funkster]

Heavy, that sounds just like me man

[Pathfinder101]

A buddy of mine has a Montana Elk decoy and we've used it a couple of times.  Hasn't killed us an elk yet, but the big bulls (which we never have a tag for) always seem pretty interested. 
3 years ago I borrowed it and set it up by a waterhole I was watching.  3 nice whitetail bucks came in to drink (of course I had a deer rifle tag, so all I could do was watch) and they didn't like that cow elk one bit.  They kept snorting, and stomping and prancing around trying to get her to leave.  Finally, they all took a drink (one at a time, taking turns, one drinking and two watching the cow intently) and left.