Archery Hunting with an Elk Decoy

[OkiechasingElk]

I wanted to get thoughts from the experts on here about the idea of using a decoy during archery season. I know the glamorous Archery elk hunting story consists of calling up a bull, getting in a screaming match, and him coming in charging for an 8 yard frontal.

But for those other scenarios...High Pressure Public areas. First half of the month. Super fresh sign, but no bugling bulls...


Has anyone had success using Elk Decoys during September? Do you pack it in daily just in case you find the right setup for using it afternoon/evening?

The scenario I'm imaging is something like this: You have a truck camp. So not hauling this in with a full camp and 5 days of food. You're hunting an area with very fresh elk sign. Would you set up your decoy on meadow edge, and set up a blind for the evening? Play the evening thermals from where you think the elk are bedded, and just hit the cow call off/on throughout the evening.

Anyways I know there are guys that use them, interested in the scenarios that make you decide "we're gonna setup the decoy and hunt here for the evening."


Note: I did a search to see if this had been discussed and didn't see anything.

 

[5MilesBack]

I don't sit still long enough to use one, I'm always on the move. But if a buddy goes with me, he'll carry one every now and then.

 

[OkiechasingElk]

I don't sit still long enough to use one, I'm always on the move. But if a buddy goes with me, he'll carry one every now and then.

That's definitely a concern I'm weighing. I rarely can sit longer than 30-45 minutes without needing to get moving. Unless its the late morning nap time. LOL

 

[RileyRaz18]

The Montana cow elk decoy weighs like 5lbs and im sure its a quick takedown.
I've had luck with their whitetail decoys

 

[mtnbound]

I wanted to get thoughts from the experts on here about the idea of using a decoy during archery season. I know the glamorous Archery elk hunting story consists of calling up a bull, getting in a screaming match, and him coming in charging for an 8 yard frontal.

But for those other scenarios...High Pressure Public areas. First half of the month. Super fresh sign, but no bugling bulls...


Has anyone had success using Elk Decoys during September? Do you pack it in daily just in case you find the right setup for using it afternoon/evening?

The scenario I'm imaging is something like this: You have a truck camp. So not hauling this in with a full camp and 5 days of food. You're hunting an area with very fresh elk sign. Would you set up your decoy on meadow edge, and set up a blind for the evening? Play the evening thermals from where you think the elk are bedded, and just hit the cow call off/on throughout the evening.

Anyways I know there are guys that use them, interested in the scenarios that make you decide "we're gonna setup the decoy and hunt here for the evening."


Note: I did a search to see if this had been discussed and didn't see anything.

I have used one on and off for years. They don’t weigh very much so there is not a big weight penalty so I carry it depending on where I am archery hunting. It’s of little value in dense vegetation and because it’s two sided it’s only effective if the bull comes in at the right angle to see it but I have had animals see it and focus on it.
IME setting one up hasn’t really helped or hurt me enough to say decoys are good or bad.

 

[5MilesBack]

That's definitely a concern I'm weighing. I rarely can sit longer than 30-45 minutes without needing to get moving. Unless its the late morning nap time. LOL

I'm more like 2-5 minutes tops. And that's just so my buddy can catch up.

 

[S.Clancy]

IME it's not worth carrying it. If you're calling it's better the bull doesn't see anything.

 

[cnelk]

I used to use/carry a Montana decoy.

Results were.... 'Meh'....

The biggest thing I found was if you had it set up behind you and there was an elk started bugling 200yds away and wasnt coming in.

Then you had a decision, do you just go chase that bull and leave the decoy and come back for it later?

Or, go grab the decoy, stuff it in your pack, gather your sh!t up again and then go chase the bugle?

I have had limited success with one. They do have their place, but its def not a magic ticket

 

[Sanchez]

Think safety.

I have trouble calling in inexperienced elk hunters who can be a safety hazard unless I move away or intentionally expose myself as a hunter. Throw a decoy into the mix and extremely excited hunters who cannot tell a real from a fake elk call and the potential for safety issues is real, especially on public land.

 

[wapitibob]

I had a Bull charge in when I was trying to fold the thing and it kept popping open. Damndest thing I've ever had happen. Al Morris used them a bunch and always said to flash them, not leave them set up static. I use the full body one and a plastic spring hand clamp from harbor freight to attach to back of the pack.

 

[TedO]

I think they're just about a must have for calling setups when I'm hunting solo and don't have the luxury of the usual 2 person calling scenario.

I also bring the decoy along when I know I'm hunting open country or open forests. When bulls can't spot your calling location from 150 yards away (or more), they're just not going to come any closer unless there's a visual cue, like a decoy.

 

[wyosteve]

I've used the elk rump one a few times, mostly as a distraction set up a bit away from where I was calling. Have had bulls come in, but can't say whether the decoy helped. Generally, I don't think it hurts anything, but this was in wilderness areas with not a lot of other hunters calling.

 

[sf jakey]

Sometimes it’s deadly. Most of the time it’s useless. I’ve used it successfully several times to sneak in behind it. Not wide open but pretty open terrain

 

[jgilber5]

I've had good luck guiding with one. Once walked right across a meadow and pulled a bull to me out from the trees , through the meadow, right past my shooter.

 

[SleepyJones]

I found a decoy works the best in a situation where you have a small opening, like a meadow or field and you know elk are nearby: Put the decoy out and make some elk calls near the decoy (make sure and go back into cover when calling).

I've pulled elk into the open during all times of the day as the elk seem to look out into the opening, see the decoy and figure there's no danger. I have found the elk do not come over to the decoy and if they do, they seem to meander their way over, but without any urgency. Tuff part is getting a shot because like I mentioned, it pulls them into the open but getting the animal in bow distance becomes the next issue.

 

[coast range]

Funny I bought a Montana decoy 10 12 years ago. I used it that night and killed a bull. I’m not sure I have deployed it since. I have definitely carried it but have not really used one since. I was in a large ag field and they literally came running in.

 

[Jbehredt]

I used to use/carry a Montana decoy.

Results were.... 'Meh'....

The biggest thing I found was if you had it set up behind you and there was an elk started bugling 200yds away and wasnt coming in.

Then you had a decision, do you just go chase that bull and leave the decoy and come back for it later?

Or, go grab the decoy, stuff it in your pack, gather your sh!t up again and then go chase the bugle?

I have had limited success with one. They do have their place, but its def not a magic ticket

That’s how my Miss September and I broke up. She’s somewhere on the side of a mtn. Took off after a bull and forgot to grab it. Couldn’t find it the next day. Liked it for mid day calling. Set it up 40-60 yards back with a caller.

 

[Indian Summer]

For some reason elk have never paid any attention to them at all for me. I tied a string to my Montana decoy so I could pull on it hoping the motion would catch their eye. Nope. No luck. They walked by or walked away at 20 yards like it wasn’t even there. I gave up on the idea eventually.

 

[LostArra]

Once walked right across a meadow and pulled a bull to me out from the trees , through the meadow, right past my shooter.

Last fall I walked across some open sage brush to get to an aspen draw that opened on to a meadow. It's been a good spot for an evening sit. I took my Hunt Comfort pad to sit on and I guess it looked like a cow elk butt as I hiked in. As soon as I got to the aspens an unseen bull bugled from across the meadow up in rocks and trees. Then here he came. Not in a big hurry but definitely on a mission. As usual with my bull encounters, I only had a cow tag but it was fun.

My "decoy" .


Here he comes.



All the way to 13 yards. Never spooked just walked up the draw bugling. This summarizes many of my bull encounters carrying a cow tag. I've got some great video of him tearing up a tree at 40 yards but I don't know how to post them here. I don't know if this is a decoy endorsement but it does keep me carrying the pad.

 

[cnelk]

Last fall I walked across some open sage brush to get to an aspen draw that opened on to a meadow. It's been a good spot for an evening sit. I took my Hunt Comfort pad to sit on and I guess it looked like a cow elk butt as I hiked in. As soon as I got to the aspens an unseen bull bugled from across the meadow up in rocks and trees. Then here he came. Not in a big hurry but definitely on a mission. As usual with my bull encounters, I had a cow tag but it was fun.

My "decoy" .
View attachment 1047338

Here he comes.

View attachment 1047340

All the way to 13 yards. Never spooked just walked up the draw bugling. This summarizes many of my bull encounters carrying a cow tag. I've got some great video of him tearing up a tree at 40 yards but I don't know how to post them here. I don't know if this is a decoy endorsement but it does keep me carrying the pad.

View attachment 1047341

And you had a cow tag I bet