just purchased

[Instinct]

A montana elk decoy. How benificial will this be for me since I hunt alone. I personally thing it will just thoughts,

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It all depends on you....
I own 2 of them, the standing cow and the rump.
I attached weights to the legs, and put a camo-cord w/hook on to hang on branches.
This helped because I dont have to screw around with the posts to set up, and provides some motion to the decoy.
The biggest problem I have, is very rarely do I get them up when I should, my brain frazzles when I get into elk, and I forget that I have them. 
then when it is too late..... could have, should have,..  didn't. 
"perfect set-up" in my opinion is when you get a response to your calling, set them up, call FROM THAT LOCATION, then move towards the elk 20-30 yards.
Idea that they go to decoy, and pass you.
I had a decent 5X6 come to 15 feet of them, passed me at 10 feet, but did not have a permit that year.

[MIKEXRAY]

I bought mine because I had bulls hanging up at 80 - 100 yards, I have used it for 2 years & have not had the situation yet where it brought in a bull from him seeing it.   Some times as mentioned I don't have time to get it out / set up. To my relief it does not scare animals away like I was worried about, I have had cows & deer walk up to / by it and they see it & are curious but my scent on the decoy & decoy itself has never scared an animal away.  I leave my sticks at home & hang mine from a tree, makes it lighter & faster to set up. I put a hole in the top or the animals back with a piece of parachute cord, I tie the cord to a limb & leave enough cord so the decoys feet touch the ground. That way it stays pointed the direction I want. I will still carry mine & I can see one day it bringing in that bull the little extra needed. Good luck with it . Mike

[Button Nubbs]

I wish I had one last year. I will have 2 next year

[Todd_ID]

Here's another option for hanging.  The bonus is that the rubber band can be put around the decoy when it's folded up to help keep it together.

[Todd_ID]

I shot a nice 6x6 bull in ID that I had my decoy out on.  He came in to 80 yards from where I had made my last call, but I had moved up about 30, so he was at 50 when he wanted to hang up but saw the decoy.  He turned at a 45 degree angle to circle downwind of the decoy, and I was there in that half circle waiting for him.  Double lung -- tipped over within 40 yards.

[sakoshooter]

Sounds like a much needed piece of epuip.

[Instinct]

Awsome stories! Ya I already can't wait to try it out

[blackhorn]

Worth every penny! Put it were you can reach it quick, it will settle down an elk that has spotted you But hasn't scented you. Saved my butt several times. My backpack has the vent space between the pack and my back, I slide the decoy between them, works great. 

[poohdog]

I had never tried it but sounds good. If you guys only carried one would it be the cow or the rump.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well if it doesn't work atleast you have something to shoot at!!

[Instinct]

 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I had never tried it but sounds good. If you guys only carried one would it be the cow or the rump.

I think if I only had one, it would be the rump, as the cow seems pretty small compaired to an actual Elk,
also, little known fact about Elk, they can raise and lower the hair on their butts as a form of communication, so another Elk probably looks their to see if the hair is raised or not.. 
plus it could be either a cow or bull, and the elk will probably try to circle downwind to see what it is....