How many of you use a decoy predator hunting.
Why or why not?
If so what kind and with hand calls or e-caller?
I used one till an owl flew off with it. I plan on getting another :biggrin: I think they help divert the critters attention.
do you think they increase your chances of a critter "committing?"
Us that hunt in the thick stuff and might call in stuff we never see, could we benefit from a motion decoy?
I hunt in some pretty thick stuff. Mos of the time I try to position both the caller and the decoy a few feet off the ground. The few critters I have called clearly had no problem picking up the movement even though it was thick. I'm a believer they work and until I start consistently putting fur down figure I'll leverage every advantage I can.
I use a Jack in the Box about 90% of the time. I never know when I am going to call a cat, and it REALLY helps with cats...I also believe it helps more than hurts with coyotes.
That being said...the last cat we called/killed we weren't using anyhitng but a little Kat Kaller, we also killed a coyote on the same stand...Hmmmmmmmmmm
Joe
I just posted on this in another forum. I have used lots of different decoys through the years from store bought to homemade jobs. I use the one on the Minaska all in one when using the e-caller and the Whirling woodpecker.
I use mostly hand calls so the whiling wood pecker gets used the most. It is small, light and is made of a hard plastic so I dont Have the problem of it distributing even more scent. I Liked the JIB for a while but the switches would get turned on in the bag . Most of my equipment uses AAA and it used C batteries plus it was bulky. I sold it last year at the LBL. Will it work yes.
Will a decoy help in the thick woods?? Yes but in the thick woods you need a decoy up off the ground. I have an extension for the Minaska decoy from yoters den and they also make one for the JIB I think it wood help in the woods. This is another reason I like the whirling wood pecker you can clip it on almost anything. The only draw back is it does eat batteries but not a big problem for me I use rechargeable.
I have been kicking the idea around for a while of getting one of those minaska decoy things. I am afraid that it just will end up as another gadget to pack into the woods. I am not looking for a magic bullet but wow these coyotes got me asking myself "what am I lacking, how do I keep missing them, do I suck that bad?" I have used 2 different E-callers, a variety of sounds, set-ups, locations, weather patters and on and on. I gotta get these buggers to commit.
I think these coyotes take a little more convincing than in other areas. I know NH guys that have shot a bunch, but some how I am missing the boat.
I have also had people touch on the idea that THEY will CONTROL from what direction the animal response from by using the motion in a certain way to their advantage.
I guess it is just one of those things, do I get one or not? Just can't decide.
I was at Gander Mt. today. I had a Whirling woodpecker and wiggling rabbit(forget the name brand) decoy in hand. I couldn't decide which one or how much help it would be. I use all hand calls so the sound would be in a different place than the decoy.
If I go with the woodpecker do I have to use only bird sounds or doesn't it really matter. If I use a rabbit distress and the coyote or fox sees a bird fluttering around are they gonna look at it and say "YEA RIGHT".
Forgive my ignorance. I've been after predators for a few years now and I just can't seem to get it right. There's been a few almost but I really want to connect in the worst way.
QuoteIf I go with the woodpecker do I have to use only bird sounds or doesn't it really matter.
Wont matter, I have had them come in with all kinds of different sounds using decoys that didn't look like the sound.
Before getting the whirling woodpecker I called several in with bird sound and they came to the JIB and it don't look like a bird and vice cersa.
Decoys help some of the time but just because you have one and they see it doesn't always mean they will come a running to it. I have had several coyotes within feet of a moving decoy and they not pay it any attention. I had a predator enticer on 2 occasions actually scare the coyote when the unit came on. The coyotes that do lock on to a decoy can sometimes be almost unstoppable for a shot.
Im with CCP. I quit using decoys years ago. It was a wash. Half ran from it and the other half were somewhat interested. Besides, in my area, if the coyote can see the decoy, he should already be dead.
Randy
Quote from: cb223 on January 01, 2008, 06:51:25 PM
I was at Gander Mt. today. I had a Whirling woodpecker and wiggling rabbit(forget the name brand) decoy in hand.
I think you are referring to the Quiver Critter. I bit and bought one. For $19.95 I thought "Why not?" Decoys and hand calls are starting to look a lot like fishing lures. They catch mostly fishermen and coyote hunter wanna-be's. :biggrin:
www.edgebyexpedite.com/files/video/QuiverCritter.wmv (http://www.edgebyexpedite.com/files/video/QuiverCritter.wmv)
Semp, thats the one. Is it a good thing that it is still at the store?
cb223
You NEED one of these! Run, don't walk, to Gander Mtn fast....before they are all gone! :roflmao:
Seriously, the danged thing looks pretty good to me. But then, I ain't a coyote. :nono:
Semp,
I truthfully was leaning more towards the whirling woodpecker only because it was alot smaller and I hate dragging all that crap out to the woods!
The only way I would buy a decoy is the majority on this site said "I will kill more critters with it".
Now that I posted this I'm sure everybody will tell me to buy one. :hahaha: :innocentwhistle:
In my opinion.
Cats ....yes
Coyotes....no
Randy
Get a decoy dog.......... :innocentwhistle: :eyebrownod:
Chet and I have used some funny looking decoys, but they worked. Now we go with the "lesser is bester"........... :iroll: :biggrin:
Bop,
If you weren't so far away I would be getting a decoy dog! :eyebrownod: I even have all of the kids approval.
I say just howl the crap outta them every freaking day and wave your damn confederate hat while doing so.... :eyebrownod:
QuoteI say just howl the crap outta them every freaking day and wave your damn confederate hat while doing so....
:confused: :shrug: :sleep: :shck: :huh:
BITE ME RICARDO!!!
I dont have nearly a pimple's experience as these guys, but I hate carrying anything extra. For the most part alot of stands around here take some walking to get to. I have a full coyote mount I made the boy carry but he's onto me about that and it stays at home.
Quote from: Silencer on January 02, 2008, 06:10:19 AM
I have a full coyote mount I made the boy carry but he's onto me about that and it stays at home.
:laf: :laf: It's funny how fast they learn isnt it Silencer. :eyebrownod:
But something like, "clean up after yourself damnit!"...takes 35 years to sink in. :laf:
I carry the jack in the box on allmost every daytime stand. I have allways liked the results produced by it. with greys it seems to keep them around. I know most people that I have talked to say that the greys that come to the call will come agressivley. in my area it seems that they can be as timid as reds. before we were allowed to use a electronic decoy I used the old turkey feather trick. and the times I did not use the turkey feather they would come in look at the call and turn around quickly leaving little to now shot oppurtunity while snaking their way back into the brush. the decoy I have found gets em interested. the first thing they do know is come to about 10 or so feet from it and go to the tallest spot in the area. scope it out and then sneak in on it and play with it. reds I have not messed with the decoys mainly because I try to call daytime reds in the later season when there seems to be less chow. as far as coyotes like I said we only recently are allowed to use electronic decoys. the only coyote I killed was while using the jack in the box. but since it was at night with a half moon and unusual bright night I figured it could not hurt. did it help? I don't know but there is one less coyote out there.
I have been considering a decoy for a while now & I'm thinking it would also add more human scent to the equation. Does anybody here think spraying the stuff you put on your clothing to deer hunt,, dead downwind comes to mind right off,, would help eliminate odor from plastic?? Seems like finger oils would still be there. :shrug: I always play the wind but I have a couple places where it swirls a lot. Thats why I'm interested in a decoy.
I use a stuffed rabbit or my little gray stuffed huskie when I'm out calling by myself. Using a decoy has never worked to bring a dog in but I enjoy all the other animals that go after them. The most unusual this year has been a little white weasel. It was hillarious watching this little hot dog sized animal trying to drag away my little stuffed huskie.
:roflmao: :roflmao:
Was it a Utah Weasel?? :shrug: :roflmao:
I don't use the JIB as much as Arkyoter (90%), but I do use it in setups where coyotes that respond can see it a long way. I call with the wind a lot, and the squeaker voice can be heard by a coyote from a long distance on that kind of setup. I don't just turn it on and leave it running. It works great to close the deal once the coyote has seen the thing and heard it. In my opinion, it makes a difference on the more cautious coyotes. We can't hunt at night in Kentucky, but if we could, I am sure the squeaker voice and the lit up decoy would help. As most of the experienced hunters know, a coyote is pure expert at seeing movement, and he can see the topper shaking at tremendous distances.
I have used the squeeker with the light while night hunting reds on full moons and it tends to work.
I guess it all comes down to how and where you hunt. I don't use a decoy because I don't think I need one to get the animal, it's that simple.
I believe in some cases a decoy could be an asset, but not where I hunt. I see no reason to use one at night because you see the animals eyes and body long before it well ever see the decoy.
In 90% of the cases, If you can see fur it should be dead....Just an oldtimers opinion.
I believe it helps having a decoy. I use the Jack in the box and have had good luck with it. Most of the hunting here (Alabama) is in the thick stuff . A decoy seems to divert the predators attention away from you giving you the opportunity to move to the shot. It doesn't always work but what does?
Bob