FOR ARCHERY HUNTERS - QUESTION ABOUT ELK DECOYS

[Chet43]

I am thinking about trying out an Elk decoy next year, but I have never used one, nor do I know anyone who has used one. I have done some online research and found several posts from people who have used them. The only problem is they are several years old and as far as I can tell all the hunters where using them in Colorado; Montana or Wyoming. They did say there is a learning curve and you wind up with a lot of frontal shots, so be prepared. Most stated they where happy with the 30 to 40 percent success rate they get but don't use the decoy all the time, which I fully understand and realize.

My question is for ARCHERS who have used a decoy for 2 seasons or more in Washington. I would like your opinion regarding decoys and what type of decoy you would suggest I try first, such as a full body; a hand held; a bow mounted decoy or something else. Also where you hunting spikes or did you have a special permit for those hunts?

Reason for the question is because of the high human pressure in a lot of units and unless your lucky enough to get drawn for a special permit, your stuck hunting spikes and I'm not sure decoys would be very successful for spikes?

I thank all who took the time to read this and will appreciate any replies/opinions posted here.

[2MANY]

They work with satellite bulls.
Be ready for a frontal shot.

[JDArms1240]

No real knowledge to add here, but I’ll follow this thread!  I was just talking to my wife about wanting to try this.  I was thinking about getting 1. a bow mounted cow or 2. just a plain ol’ cow that’s standing/looking.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

I have used the stand alone broadside cow decoy, several seasons in WA. It’s a fold up with packable legs. In open country where I hunt elk it is helpful in getting them in close. I’ve had raghorns come into 15 yards.

[medic6]

We carry miss September and the rump.  Two important tidbits when using them.  The elk has to be able to see it and if you tell your kid to hold it, he has to be able to know when it is time to run for his life.  Clearcuts, open timber, spur roads etc.  I try to toss it out (throw it in a bush). If a bull is pushing his cows and wants to play but doesn’t want to leave is cows we find that if he sees it he thinks one is being left behind and will swing by and try to snatch it.  If he is hung up and sees it more likely to push the last 20 or walk through an open area for better viewing.  Toss in a bush and set up slightly to the side of it, they will walk right to it.  They are overly curious animals. If u hunt big open spaces we have had bulls cover 80 acre cuts and walk over to see the decoy. They cannot help it.  It also pulls in calf’s and young cows which can be a pain. They tend to move fast and beat the bull over.

[Guitarnbow6213]

I have the cow elk Montana Decoy, and it's great...where it comes in handy,is when your cow calling,and the elk can put a face,to a sound...and bring em in...I'm planning on getting another one,...two should really help....caution : if there are other hunters in area,don't be in line of fire,in case someone shoots at it....I definitely recommend a decoy,or two.. especially for us old timers who can't pound the mts anymore....

[buglebuster]

I’ve used them in the wide open country on the east side where stalking is near impossible. I’ve literally walked to within 40 yards multiple times of herds just walking straight at them behind a predator decoy which is just a frontal of an elk.

[Special T]

I have a Montana Cow Elk decoy. Ive only called in other archers.

[NOCK NOCK]

I have the Montana cow one. Limited use, but I had it deployed on a wide open ridge, large 6x came towards it/us from 400+ yards away, held up at 80-100 yards and would not come any closer, but continued to bugle at it/us. Guessing that the bulls are used to the cows moving, or coming towards them a bit, lack of decoy movement is what I believe made him leave. 

[Shawn Ryan]

At Wapititalk1's suggestion, I purchased and use a Poison Arrow elk face decoy.  3 oz. Attaches to the last arrow in my quiver. Quickly deploys. Works. I've walked up on elk with the decoy deployed in situations in which they would likely otherwise spook.  Not the friendliest to use in real brushy terrain, as it will deploy from getting snagged. IDK if they even sell them anymore, but IME, yes decoys work and are worth the hassle/time/weight in certain circumstances.

[kodiak06]

They work with satellite bulls.
Be ready for a frontal shot.

I bet less than 10% of the people I know that have done a frontal shot have recovered their elk.
 Get out front and ya get a broadside shot. There's a 300" bull running around here that got punched at 20yds a week ago still doing his thing with the herd.