Elk decoys

[Blackdog44]

Curious what opinions are on using decoys. I have had success once where we were able to bring a bull in on a trot from 200 yards away in an open burn area using a decoy. I have heard others talk about decoys actually spooking elk when they saw it. Setup is obviously a key factor. I have always thought of them as a good idea but have heard other opinions. Thoughts?

[Screaming_btf]

I have heard many success stories so I will keep trying them from time to time. The few times I used the Montana Decoy I have the ELK noticed it at about 40 yards and then sprinted off after a quick glance at it. I suspect they may have seen the decoy then tried to smell the other ELK they saw and smelled me instead.. who knows.

[ishy]

About the same sometimes works great, sometimes the exact oppisite. Our experience is it helps more often than it scares, but sure is tough to pack after the times it spooks elk.

[Swede]

A decoy can help when you call. The elk you are hunting expects to see an elk where the call came from. In that scenario, coming in to the call and seeing nothing that looks like an elk will cause them to pace back and forth looking for the elk it heard. They will do that if possible, out of bow range. You can set up so that the bull has to come in close to get a visual or you can show them a good part of a decoy.
I would advise against just putting out a decoy and expecting it to attract elk. Elk are all different. I have had them scare off from the sight of a decoy at a water hole, while another would come in and sniff at the decoy, go get water and come back and sniff at the decoy again. It was funny to watch.
The bottom line, from what I have observed is, if the elk expects to see another elk, show them one. If they have no reason to expect to see another elk don't use a decoy. You may get away with it, but probably not.

[under H2O hunter]

The thing to remember with decoys is that they need to be used during the right set up. There are various decoys out there. I personally use a Heads Up decoy. Here is why I like it over others like Montana Decoy company. The Montana decoy is a side profile of a cow with her ears pointed straight up or slightly forward which is an alert pose. When elk see them they usually look at them like " Hey why you on point, all alert looking at me" I think this is why some elk tend to trot off after seeing them. I think you are better off using the Montana Decoy companies Elk Rump rather then their side profile. The Heads up decoy is a decoy that uses just the head and neck of a cow elk and she is looking perpendicular to the incoming bull/cow and with the stick that is provided you can either clip it to the front of your bow if your solo hunting or you can attach some type of clip and clip it to a tree. If you are hunting with a partner, your partner can call from behind it and even move it a little up and down and you have a more realistic scenario. As others have stated that decoys don't always work. But my personal opinion is that they work more times then not. Elk use their ears, eyes, and nose. You can fool two of the three pretty easily and if you're playing the wind correctly using a decoy can have very deadly results. I always get a kick out of pulling elk that hang up looking for the source of my calls when they see my decoy. It's like they relax and are less weary. Good luck

[Swede]

You have an interesting take on different decoys under H2O hunter. My decoys don't even have a head and are about 3/8 inch thick. Still elk will come over and sniff the butt. Go figure.

[mandrroofing]

Has anybody had any success with the heads up cow decoy ?