Decoys
- Thread starter Swede
- Start date
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
OK Swede, I\'ll bite 
If I\'m \"cold calling\" (on a stationary setup), I\'m trying to give an extra measure of credibility to my setup/ location.
It seems that bulls (where I hunt anyway) will typically hang back and observe when they hear calling, many times they will sneak in through the timber, and assess the situation. I\'ve watched bulls on several occasions visibly relax and come in as soon as they associated the decoy with the calling.
In a \"run and gun\" scenario...I\'m trying to accomplish a couple things. I want to convince a bull that I am an elk on the move toward him, and shielding myself with the decoy is the best way to make the situation seem \"authentic\".
Once I get to a point where I believe he is either moving toward me, or getting ready to do so, I will stab the decoy into the ground,call aggressively, and I will immediately move ahead of the decoy (into the wind) and off to one side, especially if I am on an elk trail I anticipate him using when he comes in.
My hope is to get the bull\'\'s focus on the decoy, and off me. Here\'s a video example of how well this works...the SLIP Decoy was set up in the direction the bull is heading, and he is oblivious to the shooter, who makes a lethal shot at just one yard!
https://www.facebook.com/MOJOOutdoorsTV/videos/10152448016947595/?fref=nf
If I\'m \"cold calling\" (on a stationary setup), I\'m trying to give an extra measure of credibility to my setup/ location.
It seems that bulls (where I hunt anyway) will typically hang back and observe when they hear calling, many times they will sneak in through the timber, and assess the situation. I\'ve watched bulls on several occasions visibly relax and come in as soon as they associated the decoy with the calling.
In a \"run and gun\" scenario...I\'m trying to accomplish a couple things. I want to convince a bull that I am an elk on the move toward him, and shielding myself with the decoy is the best way to make the situation seem \"authentic\".
Once I get to a point where I believe he is either moving toward me, or getting ready to do so, I will stab the decoy into the ground,call aggressively, and I will immediately move ahead of the decoy (into the wind) and off to one side, especially if I am on an elk trail I anticipate him using when he comes in.
My hope is to get the bull\'\'s focus on the decoy, and off me. Here\'s a video example of how well this works...the SLIP Decoy was set up in the direction the bull is heading, and he is oblivious to the shooter, who makes a lethal shot at just one yard!
https://www.facebook.com/MOJOOutdoorsTV/videos/10152448016947595/?fref=nf
I rarely ever \"set one out\". I hunt with the decoy hat, Jeff\'s Elk Mountain slips, a Heads-up, and occasionally a Montana butt. Almost all of my decoying is active, either trying to create an illusion or using it to move in and out or around herds. The Elk Mountain Slip system is best for this. The decoy hat, Montana butt and Heads-up are all very good for \"flashing\".
The biggest problem with solo decoying of any kind is keeping the bull from coming directly to you. I always plan out how I\'ll slip to the side for the shot when he starts coming, and I\'ll often leave the decoy or Slip there when I drop down to move into ambush position.
The biggest problem with solo decoying of any kind is keeping the bull from coming directly to you. I always plan out how I\'ll slip to the side for the shot when he starts coming, and I\'ll often leave the decoy or Slip there when I drop down to move into ambush position.
I have used a Montana decoy quite a bit in the past with decent success.
If hunting solo I like to place it behind me and to the side 20-30yds in hopes the elk locks on it and I can adjust if need be.
Once an elk locks on a decoy, you can darn near do jumping jacks and they don\'t care.
In the same % of success I think the Montana decoy can be a detriment.
There have been times when I am cold calling, and the elk don\'t cooperate and hang up or move away, and then I need to go back and get the decoy, roll it up stuff it in my pack, then go chase elk. That sucks.
About a dozen years ago, I set out a Montana near me and Pikemaster was out in front about 30 yds or so standing near an aspen stump.
I called in this Raghorn on a trot down this draw, as he came right to me Jarod dusted him using his top pin.
His first archery elk.
When they work, they work.
When they don\'t.... eh... +/-
If hunting solo I like to place it behind me and to the side 20-30yds in hopes the elk locks on it and I can adjust if need be.
Once an elk locks on a decoy, you can darn near do jumping jacks and they don\'t care.
In the same % of success I think the Montana decoy can be a detriment.
There have been times when I am cold calling, and the elk don\'t cooperate and hang up or move away, and then I need to go back and get the decoy, roll it up stuff it in my pack, then go chase elk. That sucks.
About a dozen years ago, I set out a Montana near me and Pikemaster was out in front about 30 yds or so standing near an aspen stump.
I called in this Raghorn on a trot down this draw, as he came right to me Jarod dusted him using his top pin.
His first archery elk.
When they work, they work.
When they don\'t.... eh... +/-
Brad, last year I hung a Montana behind and to the side, and put the big Elk Mountain butt there too. After 30 minutes of calling a bull came sneaking in silently. He kept looking toward where the calling was coming from and the two \"butts\". The Montana was hanging from a limb by a loop.
He decided to come closer and was going to give me a 15 yard broadside shot. Just then a little post-sundown zephyr came down the draw and fluttered the Montana. That bull totally turned inside out and almost landed on his chin when he tripped over a log getting out of there. He may never come to a butt decoy again! (I know, Jeff, I should\'ve just used two elk slips...)
I love to decoy elk, muleys, whitetails, and pronghorns. Used to decoy turkeys when I bird hunted, and plan to do it for Coues this year too. But like you said, it\'s no Silver Bullet. Just a magical experience when they do work.
He decided to come closer and was going to give me a 15 yard broadside shot. Just then a little post-sundown zephyr came down the draw and fluttered the Montana. That bull totally turned inside out and almost landed on his chin when he tripped over a log getting out of there. He may never come to a butt decoy again! (I know, Jeff, I should\'ve just used two elk slips...)
I love to decoy elk, muleys, whitetails, and pronghorns. Used to decoy turkeys when I bird hunted, and plan to do it for Coues this year too. But like you said, it\'s no Silver Bullet. Just a magical experience when they do work.
