It might not be safe unless you wear some orange :) http://www.blackovis.com/be-the-decoy-elk-wapiti-assassin-decoy-hat
No animal is worth getting shot over. I suppose they probably work great and give you extra time in many situations. Not for me tho'.
Its a great calling aid for solo hunters. I've had bulls in my lap that I didn't want to shoot, took it off and waved it at them, and they didn't leave.
As far as safety, it's not like I wander around in the woods wearing it. Its a situational tool. No more or less safe than any other decoy.
2-D decoys like the big ones above are a great tool too, but in a totally different category. Apples and oranges. Static decoying vs. dynamic decoying with the hat. They aren't portable, and you can't make them move, look around, stare at the bull, bob up and down like feeding.
Except that you are wearing it.
Hopefully you stay safe in the woods through all your days...
By far the greatest danger to elk hunters is on the road while behind the wheel of a hunting rig. I never give the decoying aspect a second thought.
This old image (not sure where it originates from) has stuck with me for a long time. I have always wanted to try something like this.
My strategy was to use hat as I look above my elk mountain slip decoy.
Turns out I killed my elk without it, but I was prepared if the right situation presented itself.
Just don't get shot! :)
I have had many actual experiences like that in your print. The bull in the photo midwest posted being one of them.
PS: It has Velcro Orange strips.
Nick, lots of example but here are a couple - I crest a rise and am busted by a couple cows on the edge of a herd. I immediately drop down into the grass, take it off my pack, put it on and "show" it while making a couple of soft, inquisitive contact mews. I bob my head down like I'm taking a bite of grass, look at the cows, look behind me, basically become an elk. More than half the time the cows go back to feeding or walk over to meet me.
Here's another: I spot a bull and I'm in a spot where I can move into a shooting position if he comes. I show myself with the hat, give out a few cowcalls while looking at him, look back over my shoulder and throw a couple behind me, like I'm the lead in a small herd. Then I bob (feed again) look up at him, etc.. and when he starts coming I drop down and scoot off to the side and get ready to shoot. Sometimes I'll leave the hat visible if there's a bush handy, sometimes I just hide it so he has to look for me.
I've crawled up on them through sagebrush while wearing it. Also worked in on them in timber while looking over an Elk Mountain Butt slip or a Montana Butt. I often wear a mottled tan hoodie when elk hunting anyway because they're used to seeing tan things in the woods. Like Bigdan's tan vest. Another Bowsiter sent me a great elk shirt made from a Montana butt with the spring steel removed and neck holes/arm holes sewn in. I've used it a few times and it's ridiculously effective but I feel goofy wearing it.
That thing of Charlie's is like a Heads-Up on steroids. I'm sure the Safety Patrol will flag that one!
sent you a PM hopefully I did it right :)
Charlie thats a pretty cool idea too! wow
LINK's Link
LINK's Link
The ultimate predator decoy looks fantastic but I'm not digging the Velcro attachment.
