Anyone else do this?
I have a sketch on graph paper that I am going to scale up to cardboard tonight.
I am hoping to have it hinge in the middle and at the neck to reduce carrying size. I am also going to have either removeable or hingeable horns- Is it a buck, or is it a doe? lol
Time to get to work!
You show me yours and I'll show you mine!
Michael
A friend of mine had a Dutton Decoy. I borrowed it and traced it onto some paper for my pattern. Then you can put it on any material you like. 1/4 inch chip board or plywood is good. I was lucky and found some fiberglass material that was only about 1/8 inch thick. It should last forever. I made it in three sections just like the Dutton and added henges. Painted it up and it works great.
You used that overweight cow with no legs to get to within 50 yards of that buck?
Very nice indeed!
Congratulations to your little girl!
Michael
Pete Ward has a build along for a deer decoy on his sight that could be modified for lope.
I think I have a good idea to make the horns hinge up and lock into place for a buch, then just hinge them down, behind the head/neck for a doe decoy-
Michael
I made one up several years ago borrowed to a friend and never got it back but I folowed someone elses thread from here. I use a thin sheet of paneling and traced a projected picture similar to your profile.
Then I used 1.5" thick insulation foam and spray adhesive and put 2 layers on it (3" thick) then sculpted it rounded with a fillet knife. I also added a few more pieces to the face for more profile and carved out the nose and horns.
I covered it with white "faux fur" from the craft shop and spray adhesive and then spray painted the body colors and black on the faux fur - except for eyes and horns. Last I got some shiny black silicone caulk and put that on the antlers and for the eyes.
Cut it down the middle fastened a hinge in place and went hunting. At 50 yards in the field the thing looked like a real goat with really short legs.
Wish I could get that thing back, but last i saw it, it had been the victem of many antelope hunts and the back of many pickup trucks on red ND scoria roads.
My little one looks so much better!
Michael
How realistic do they need to be do you think?
Also, I need help naming it!
Michael
Michael
Too much fun to be had! Besides, it would b a great feeling to get Mir her first bor kill with something we had made together-
Michael
Ive always thought if I ever spend the time building another I would do two: an interchangeable hermaphrodite and a doe and hinge them together so they could be set up in a "v" \/ two does for early in the season, set up as a buck & a doe later in the season.
I'd have a hard time arguing with the montana decoy these days though unless I was going to build two as a blind.
How close do you want to get before deploying the decoy?
Can you show the decoy from 300 yards and get a response?
When one has come in can you draw from behind the decoy and then ease out or over and get a shot?
Michael
Is that a Black Angus?
michael
1. he does not use the decoy until he sees the herd buck starting chasing the smaller bucks away from his herd. This is usually in mid to late September depending on the state.
2. he tries to get a close a possible without be seen. 100 yards may be idea but depends on the topography.
3. His decoy allows one to drive the two stakes into the ground while setting it up and from behind.
4. also, he recommended not getting too close to the decoy but staying a few feet behind it so one have plenty of rooms to kneel and draw. Practice this in the backyard prior to the hunt and make sure your arrow with clear the decoy.
5. When looking at the animals afar, stay behind and do not look over the decoy but below its body or through a small body port hole.
6. you chance of decoying a buck will increase by 50% if you use a pronghorn challange call. Lohman Call makes then and they have also products a good tape showing the use of decoys and calling together. A must have as a teaching aid.
7. I have tried to decoy a buck with a buck decoy, early in the season but have not had good success until the rut get going later in September.
The license we would have in SD would be for one buck and one doe.
Michael
I'm fortunate enough to have goats right in my back yard, so I can play with them. One of the things I have learned is that they will usually try to circle to the front or head end of the decoy. They seem to like to meet them head on.
When using the decoy on a waterhole prior to the rut, you need to have a good idea which way the goats will be coming from. Then place the decoy about 40-50 yards on the other side of your blind. When bucks come in they will usually hang up and focus their attention on the decoy and they probaby won't approach very close. They will stand 60-70 yards away and make scolding noises at your decoy.
If you leave a decoy out for long periods of time,(days or weeks), they will become used to it and not even pay any attention to it.
when playing around, how about just sitting down and raising your hat in the air every 30 seconds. that seems to work for me.
That looks like craftsmanship there my friend!
Sweet!
I love making stuff with my own hands-
Michael
What is the purpose of hinging the decoy in the middle?
Your drawing looks good mn_archer, but the body looks a little too long.
It's kinda fun once you get going. And if you are going to make one, you might as well make two. I made a buck and a doe. I wouldn't want to have to worry about putting horns up or down in the middle of a stalk. Plus bucks will typically have a black cheek patch and does will not.
I'd take pictures, but they are stored in the attic right now.
Assuming your picture of your decoy were an actual hunting situation, how would you set it up?
Just set it up and hide behind it?
Do the antelope really just stand there while you draw and peek over for a shot?
Michael
Nice goat!
Thanks for the pm, one sent back at you!~
Good hunting-
Michael
Here's a tip... keep the horns small. You don't want it to pose a threat to the 'lope you wanna kill.
Talk about lookin goofy! lol
So you wear that thing behind the decoy?
Michael
Skinny Pete is done! I actually made 2 just like this one and have enough material for at least 2 Doe and am thinking about making a rump siloutte.
I owe Steve S. (Howler) a huge thanks for all the help. He sent me many PM's since I first posted on this subject and I pretty much copied his design.
Thanks Steve, I owe you a beer next time I am out your way! Good hunting-
by the way, for those interested the hinges are spring opening so when they are opened up they stay open.
I will have about $13 into each decon when all is said and done-
michael
It is my great pleasure to introduce you all to Skinny pete...
i just have to paint over the bolt heads. I painted him before I cut the folds in-
michael
the hole for the range finder is an awesome idea!
Your goats bellies stick further down than mine. I was thinking of running a little burlap under the belly cause where we hunt the grass is pretty short.
Do you use the buck and doe each time?
michael
Today...I had a small buck, I"m guess a 1 1/2 year old, all by himself. He stood looking at me drive a Dodge Diesel 3/4 ton with a canopy....ALL WHITE...stood there at 90 yards watching...as I eased by and down the road at about 15 mph...he started trotting after me...followed for a good 200 yards before he stopped and watched me go... well...later in the day, about 4 hours later, he's in the same spot...does the same exact thing, only this time I hollered out the window for him to hurry up. He trailed 30 yards off the road at about 15-20 mph for about 200 yards before figuring out we weren't a herd I guess...????
E
The bellies do stick down but a lot of the time we're standing up and they can see our legs and everything . We do try to drop to one knee when they look and then move when they look away . You really want the type of buck that is so mad that he is totally focused on the decoy and not too worried about the details. :^) We don't always use both but if you have some help it works pretty good . I've definetly killed animals mostly from the buck decoy but when we have both I usually put the shooter behind the doe. That way theres a better chance the buck won't notice him draw back . Once I had a client kill a 87" buck from just a doe decoy . The buck in the pic is 85" . The closer you can get to them before popping up the decoy ,the better . Not all bucks will come in , some take their girls and run and some will prefer to fight . A lot of the times the does will ruin it for you and run away taking the buck with them . Don't get discouraged . keep trying and you will get into the right situation . You will really learn to use the terrain to get close and sometimes you might even be able to allow the buck to see youe decoy with out the does even knowing . Have fun.
Do you guys really use these decoys on public land? Also, I heard waving a white t-shirt will coax them into rifle range, has anybody else had any experience with this?
We have a separate bow season from the rifle season here in Alberta . Our bow season takes place in the rut so the decoys work great . We do not use the decoys in rifle season ---- and would not recommend it!
GR
I am buying a piece of wood and some hinges and paint today.. This morning I went strictly spot and stock... nothing closer than 55 yards or so...cant quite shoot that far!
E
michael
I only have this photo I took once I got home from the hunt, but it illustrates how I used it to shield me while I crab-walked across the open spot.
My brother and I made it from fiberglass probably 15-20 years ago.
I would try aluminum angle. Can be had at most hardware or big home stores.
