Big Game Decoys During the General Season

elkhunter11 · #1 11-04-2021, 12:17 PM

So would you feel safe using big game decoys during the general season? I ask because a trespasser shot out of the vehicle at someones decoy this morning. I for one wouldn't want a decoy anywhere near me, even on private land, during the general season.

7magtime · #2 11-04-2021, 12:22 PM

Dangerous and scary situation Elk, hopefully no one was hurt?
I wouldn't even consider it in an open area. Maybe in select locations in the bush where sight distances are short and I know no one else should be in there.

burbotman · #3 11-04-2021, 12:24 PM

As a new landowner, these posts sure take on a new relevance for me.

Should be able to use one but with the uncertainty of the behaviour of our fellow man, would becomes a whole other question.

Moo Snukkle · #4 11-04-2021, 12:30 PM

I’d be way more nervous sitting in a bale blind.
My decoy would be wearing a set of hi-vis stripes.

CNP · #5 11-04-2021, 01:24 PM

The only safe way to do it would be to use a 2D decoy (Montana for example) and place the decoy so the the profile is not facing you and at least 100 yards distant. If the profile of the decoy is 90 degrees to your relative position, a 2D decoy cannot be seen by anyone that would put you in the line of fire.

It's still a risky proposition because you have to set it up and take it down and that right there puts you in the arc of fire.

obsessed1 · #6 11-04-2021, 01:44 PM

Only way I would do it is on private land in a spot where it's not even close to visible from passed by's from any angle and I'd have to be sitting in a bullet proof blind. Wasn't it last year a dude got shot out of a tree cause someone thought he was a cougar??? Way to many trigger happy fools out there..which is why I prefer to get way into the thick stuff where I don't see anyone else.. driving by and shooting at a deer on private land without permission should result in holes in your truck IMO. Way too many people just going out and making desperate and silly choices trying to fill a tag..

DirtShooter · #7 11-04-2021, 01:54 PM

I thought about buying one to set up to test the ethics of people, see if they would stop and shoot and then of course report that plate #

Haven't wanted to waste the time and money on it yet.

patrol1957 · #8 11-04-2021, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Big Game Decoys During the General Season
So would you feel safe using big game decoys during the general season?

Yes but not near a road That's just common Sense.

Quote:

I thought about buying one to set up to test the ethics of people, see if they would stop and shoot and then of course report that plate #

Haven't wanted to waste the time and money on it yet.

good for you save your money the more you read on here as the season goe's on you will realize it would be a waste of money to do that .

elkhunter11 · #9 11-04-2021, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Yes but not near a road That's just common Sense.

The guy whose decoy was shot at wasn't shot at from the road, the trespasser was driving in his field and saw the decoy.

patrol1957 · #10 11-04-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The guy whose decoy was shot at wasn't shot at from the road, the trespasser was driving in his field and saw the decoy.

Well I am lost for words

7magtime · #11 11-04-2021, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The guy whose decoy was shot at wasn't shot at from the road, the trespasser was driving in his field and saw the decoy.

Did he catch up to the trespasser Elk?

Might be a new/good way to bait some trespasser's though.....

patrol1957 · #12 11-04-2021, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Did he catch up to the trespasser Elk?

GOOD QUESTION

Quote:

Might be a good way to bait some trespasser's though.....

Sounds like a dangerous idea just thinking out loud

Battle Rat · #13 11-04-2021, 05:53 PM

It's only dangerous if you are dumb enough to sit die tell behind the decoy.
In rifle season I've placed them out a hundred yards from me and have had good luck drawing bucks over to check it out.
No more dangerous than sitting at the edge of a field with does and small bucks out feeding near by.

jafo · #14 11-04-2021, 05:59 PM

Baiting trespassers sounds like a pretty crazy thing to be doing. You should be spending more time hunting and less time worrying about others unless you actually catch them in the act, then call the warden with a description. Good luck to everyone this season.

-JR- · #15 11-04-2021, 06:09 PM

Should be ok if there is a no cow season in the area and the decoy is a cow elk

calgarychef · #16 11-04-2021, 06:50 PM

“If” I used one in a rifle area I’d be damned sure I was on private property and not visible from the road. I’d still be a bit nervous.

I was using a decoy years ago in the bow zone here in Calgary when a truckload of the local untouchables cruised past my stand, on private land, with rifles literally out the window. They buggered off fast when they saw it was a decoy. It was a bit humorous in the way that it was a reversal of roles. Here I was with a bow and they had the guns.. 😜

Springer · #17 11-04-2021, 07:35 PM

Yup used a Couple Cow elk decoys to kill our Antelope during rifle season this year. Went in before legal light. Caught the Antelope coming into the pivot plot and my Grandson shot his First Big Game animal while hiding behind it. It was the only way to sneak into the buggers. Worked like a Charm.

Smoky buck · #18 11-04-2021, 08:09 PM

I have thought about it many times but I don’t trust other hunters

fishnguy · #19 11-04-2021, 10:58 PM

I might be missing something, but what is the difference between hunting with a decoy if you are not sitting behind it and hunting a field with other deer in it?

I mentioned before in some other thread, I feel much safer in the bush than in the field. And having a decoy in the bush is probably silly (? I don’t know, I could be wrong, I never thought about it).

I remember there was a thread somewhere (probably archery section) with a guy thinking to go hunting dressed as a moose. Made his own costume or something. I am not even sure if I was already a member here or still a “lurker” when I read that thread; seems like it was a while back.

58thecat · #20 11-05-2021, 06:44 AM

I have used them many time both store bought and homemade...orange ribbon or a little paint.

I did have a wooden one of a buck 20 years ago on land that was heavily posted in which I did have permission on....got lazy and just left it upright overnight and yup had a few holes in it when I went out the next day.

I also thought one was vandalized but video footage showed another buck beat the crap out of it....

Frank_NK28 · #21 11-07-2021, 05:48 AM

Sounds like we might know the same fellow, Elk? Buddy of mine had the same occurrence the other day. I'm betting he's never going to forget the sound from the bullet whizzing close by him. He was even dressed in orange and the guy never saw him even after he jumped up and started yelling and waving his arms at him. He said he had to fire a shot into the air to avert the guy's attention from the decoy which he said the guy missed his shot on as well. I told him he may want to rethink hunting over a decoy on land a trespasser can easily acess with a vehicle. I'm just thankful though he wasn't hurt or worse!

Sundog57 · #22 11-07-2021, 06:15 AM

The DNR guys here use 'em all the time in rifle season.
2D plywood cutouts with reflector eyes.
I don't know how well they work on deer, but they sure do work on the night lighting crew. They just patch up the holes with tape.

270person · #23 11-07-2021, 07:46 AM

Only during bow season. If hunters think wearing blaze orange gets them scoped more than wearing camo, total falsehood, I have a feeling sitting anywhere near a Montana decoy would really light them up. Maybe wearing pants with a round white ass and a set of sheds on your head is the answer.

A Montana wearing an orange toque might do the trick.