Montana elk decoys??

[need2hunt]

I have elk hunted 3 times. Twice with ML, once with archery. Got 1 bull. Plan on going back to the same area this fall, expect to have a ML tag again. Not many elk in this area, but I see at least one bull each year and know the area pretty well. Essentially no one else in the area except one local guy on weekends. ( live in Wisconsin- hunt N. Co.)
I wonder about the value of a decoy? Is it worth dragging around the mountains? Is it only good for certain occasions? Do decoys tend to stay in the pack and get used very rarely?

There is an area that has literally several hundred rubs in an area of 1-2 acres and is somewhat open. Each year I see a bull in that place. I wonder about the effectiveness of putting the decoy out in the center and expecting it to pull bulls in that are checking the area out from the perimeter?

[2rocky]

I've found a decoy can redirect the bulls attention in a direction where you are not in his direct gaze. It is most condusive with cow calls to get a bull to commit to that last 60 yds to come into bow range. Ideally it will pull the bull across infront of you for a broadside shot..

It is a must have for archery, but I would be hesitant to use one during any firearms season, especially on public land from a safety standpoint.

[MT_Nate]

[ribo451]

My Brother also had a couple hikers wander into his setup and they were completely fooled as well. He could hear them talking about the decoy and how it was "magical" and so beautiful the way she just stood there and "let them into her environment". It was fairly funny till they started ragging on hunters and talking about how they should be protected. At that point I may have had to shoot my decoy. I have wandered into his decoy as well as my own and been taken by surprise for a second. They really do look real. If I was going to buy another one I would get the new "Miss September" feeding cow elk decoy. But you also couldn't pay me enough to use one during a rifle season.

[MT_Nate]

Ribo...I'm not sure I would have been able to contain my laughter in hearing a couple of hikers talk about the magical Elk Butt in their view!!



...looks like "Miss September" has replaced my beloved Elk II Cow Butt!!! Aw crap...another $100 out the door...that's a pretty convincing-looking decoy, at least to my eyes.

[Magic]

I have been startled by my own decoys many times. You are so intense looking for game that when you see it, you instantly react.

[WW]

Ya! Can you imagin those hikers discussing on weather to take a Texas heart shot or wait for that butt decoy to turn??????

[GregE]

"MISS SEPTEMBER" ???

[Magic]

Those that don't "pay to play" are so clueless. They have no idea why there are game animals today and who paid to reestablish them.

[MT_Nate]

[live2hunt]

I have also struggled with carrying a decoy. We toted a Montana decoy a few years back and found that in most situations we didn't have time to set it up. There's no doubt they would work if you can get them set up and if I were hunting alone it would be a no brainer to carry one. However, my partner and I try to get as close to the elk as possible without getting spotted and one guy stays back to call and divert the attention to him. Lately I've been reconsidering the decoy because the pine beetle has killed so many trees in our area that you can see for a country mile in the dead timber. I'm thinking that an elk could spot that decoy from quite a distance in that circumstance once again making them useful to us.
My personal opinion is that if you're hunting very dark heavy timber and you have a calling partner, I don't believe it's necessary. If you're hunting more open country, then it's something to consider.

[need2hunt]

I hunt alone. I have never seen another muzzleloader hunter in the area. One place I had in mind, is a large meadow, say 1/2 mile long and 300-500 yds wide. The first year I went out, I had a cow tag and one evening sat on the meadow and saw two nice bulls. It seems to be a funnel area for traveling elk. I am thinking that with a muzzleloader, I could set the decoy out in the meadow 70- 80 yds away and still be safe and in range. And if a bull steps out 300 yds away, he has an excuse to run over and talke a peek. In theory any way.
Dang, but I spend too much time at work day dreaming about killin' elk.

Thanks for the input. I have never seen the decoys and don't know how well they work. I did not want to spend the money and end up disappointed.

[MT_Nate]

You won't be disappointed. The decoys are really something else, and they're super light and packable.

One thing I think alot of guys who use these things don't think of often - they need to be cleaned and "descented" once in awhile. It's easy to forget you might be setting up a decoy that reeks like humans, only to have your bull come hauling in and circle around it, catch a whiff, and be gone. Mine stinks like cow estrus urine and proably about 35 different lunches at the moment...time for a cleanin'.

A good story to post about decoys. One year my father-in-law and I were briefly busted by a band of 4-5 cows in some tall 4' grass out in the open. We hit the ground and the cows continued to feed. Just for fun, we erected the decoys (these were the Elk III front-facing decoys), stood up slowly, and proceeded to walk towards the cows with the decoys held in front of us. We started about 75 yards away and made it within 25 yards before the cows became uncomfortable being stalked by these "stiff" elk. Pretty classic...we were blown away how comfortable they were with seeing them.

[Elk101]

Like has been mentioned, the decoys work best in areas where the elk can catch a peak at them, but not in thick brush or wide open areas. We had great luck with them in Arizona a couple years ago, and in Idaho in less-brushy areas, they can be very effective at pulling the elk the extra 40-50 yards we sometimes need! We have some video of one of our Arizona call-ins here:

http://elk101.com/2009/07/decoys-for-elk/

Corey

[need2hunt]

Thanks elk101. Nice video.
With the decoys, do you ever see elk that just sneak in and never answered your calls? Elk that you would not have seen otherwise?

[MT_Nate]

[Archer32]

They work! I'd stay away from the one with alert upright ears. That posture naturally puts other elk on alert as well. The rump works real well and compacts down smaller then the full side view one. Ms. Sept looks very cool as well and is once again in a non threatening/alert state.

[matuka]

I"ve never used a decoy but thought about it each year since I hunt alone. I don't know how many times while watching 'worse than wolves" Pauls decoy in the background fooled me even though I knew it was a decoy.


One decoy I've considered the most just for ease of use and packing is the cow elk head only.....not sure how I'd use it....thought about hooking it to my stablizer some how that wouldn't restrict my shot...might allow me to get in a bit closer or something....but thats probably illegal don't know.

[Rogue]

Matuka, if you are thinking of using a decoy in Oregon be very careful in most units there is a youth rifle season running the same time as the archery season. As great as the Montana decoy's are I wouldnt want to be caught behind one in a hail of bullets.


Rogue