You’d have to have a death wish to use a decoy in the field during rifle season, but archery hunters need to be cautious too. “But I’ll periodically splash the water with a stick or a rock.” Use Caution “I always set up a decoy on the edge of water and don’t call at all,” says Frey. When sitting a waterhole during midday “down hours,” position the decoy within your comfortable archery range and in an open spot with plenty of shooting lanes. This allows for a more likely broadside-shot opportunity. If hunting with a partner, set up the designated caller behind a tree near the decoy and position the shooter in front of a tree or cover, 20 or 30 yards ahead and to the side of this setup. “I do some soft cow calling and add the occasional ‘squeal’ bugle to sound like a small bull testing the waters.” Hunting With A Partner “If I can get the wind, I quietly approach the bedding ground, set up my decoy, and back off,” he says. Steven Frey, a Montana elk hunter, swears by decoys, especially during midday when elk go to bed. When elk hold up, I move in the direction of the herd another 30 or 40 yards, set up and wait for an ambush. When an elk can only see parts of a decoy, it rouses their curiosity and often brings them in for a closer look. Do so quietly and quickly, as bulls are generally closer than they sound and there’s always the chance another one is coming in quietly to investigate.I’ve had success setting the decoy up somewhat concealed in the trees. As soon as you have an idea of where the bull is likely to come from, erect the decoy to the side and behind you. When hunting alone, build the decoy and keep it close at hand before beginning your calling sequence. Two-dimensional, foldable decoys are the choice of most hunters, whether they are made of plastic or fabric. Bowhunters need a decoy that is lightweight, packable and quick and easy to assemble. But I wouldn’t want to lug that thing in my elk pack. It happened to be a Flambeau CommAndelope carried in from the truck, a full-size hard plastic model that worked great. That was my first experience using a big game decoy. I was content to skulk 20 yards away and watch as the buck nearly got intimate with the decoy. Mostly I just wanted to see how this naturally curious animal would react. Such daydreaming might have distracted me from the hunt, but my tag had been punched the previous day after a ground stalk. The September heat was enough to mirage the pronghorn, and the scene was that of an African plain, a greater kudu or sable marching my way. Then he began a beeline march toward me across the dry lake bed. When I erected the decoy, an antelope buck, though a few hundred yards away, instantly stopped on the horizon and stared in my direction. Sometimes a faux cow can be the difference in convincing a bull to commit to the last bit of ground between you and arrow range.
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