Last few years I’ve have been archery hunting elk, typically solo, in a lower elevation location that has large open meadows and parks intermixed with rolling hills of oak brush.
The mostly open terrain, with patches of cover, is a puzzle that makes it pretty impossible to be mobile in pursuit of the elk. Last few years I’ve been trying to use an ambush strategy (aka sit a spot and hope it works out). See elk most days, but very limited shot opportunities.
I know for certain the location holds lots of elk, just seems to be a game of trying to sneak in early under cover of darkness and setup in one of the islands of cover and hope the elk then later move through in close proximity. If they do, you’re golden. If they don’t, there is usually no way to move closer to the herd/animals given the lack of cover to hide your movements across the big meadows and parks.
After struggling with this situation for a couple years, my latest theory is that a decoy may be a good option.
Given the open sight lines, a decoy could potentially be seen from a long ways off and draw elk in...?
Also potentially could use the decoy as a screen to move myself closer to the elk...?
Anyone ever employed either of these strategies? If so, did it work or was it a complete failure?
Any commentary on the Elk Fan or Montana Decoys?
Basically, are these decoys a gimmick or could they legitimately help my situation?
The mostly open terrain, with patches of cover, is a puzzle that makes it pretty impossible to be mobile in pursuit of the elk. Last few years I’ve been trying to use an ambush strategy (aka sit a spot and hope it works out). See elk most days, but very limited shot opportunities.
I know for certain the location holds lots of elk, just seems to be a game of trying to sneak in early under cover of darkness and setup in one of the islands of cover and hope the elk then later move through in close proximity. If they do, you’re golden. If they don’t, there is usually no way to move closer to the herd/animals given the lack of cover to hide your movements across the big meadows and parks.
After struggling with this situation for a couple years, my latest theory is that a decoy may be a good option.
Given the open sight lines, a decoy could potentially be seen from a long ways off and draw elk in...?
Also potentially could use the decoy as a screen to move myself closer to the elk...?
Anyone ever employed either of these strategies? If so, did it work or was it a complete failure?
Any commentary on the Elk Fan or Montana Decoys?
Basically, are these decoys a gimmick or could they legitimately help my situation?
