decoys - Do they really make a difference?

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whaknstak

New member
I've been considering the use of decoys. Do you really think that they make that big of a difference? Have you seen some decoys work better than others?
 
Do decoys work? It seems that a big part of the answer depends upon how visible they are to a coyote. Dunno what terrain and vegetation you hunt in, but set up something the size of a decoy, in the spot where you'd be inclined to use a REAL decoy, and then get out there a ways on your hands and knees at coyote level and see how visible it is and from where it is visible or not visible.

Things can happen very fast when a coyote is close to you. I believe there's a significant benefit to using SOMETHING that will entice the coyotes eyes away from you, so you can move a little bit and line up a good shot without the coyote noticing your movement. But, you usually can't get away with very much movement; their periferal vision seems terrific.

I use an old piece of light-colored fur, about 2 inches wide and 12 or 15 inches long, tied on one end with a chunk of fish line to brush 2 or 3 feet above or to the side of the e-caller, where the wind will move it around. Sometimes a coyote will see it, stop, look, and study it just long enough for an easy, well-placed shot. I've yet to have one charge in fast and grab the fur; they seem to want to look it over first. But, just in case, I carry a second piece of fur in my pocket!

Have fun experimenting/learning.
 
I think they do if the terrain is where you can use them. I figure a coyote uses 3 senses; sight, sound and smell. You can satisfy the first 2 w/ a call and decoy. If he doesn't wind you, then killing him is in your favor. A decoy really does take his attention off of you, assuming you are using an E-caller and it is near the decoy. Last Sat. I had one trot right past me at 10 yards, while he was keyed in on the decoy. The wind was in my favor, I just let him go on by
before moving for the shot. He never even looked over at me.
 
Hey Whack, I agree with the other guys. I think KD almost quoted our video. We try and fool as many of the coyotes senses as possible. I cant tell you how many I have seen back in the brush looking for whatever was making that sound. Once they spotted the decoy they seemed to forget about everything else. We use a decoy in both of our videos, and have had great luck. Hope that helps. Good Luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I hope they Help more then Harm a guys luck...

As I have a red fox form,a red fox tanned hide,a set of plastic ear liners and glass/plastic eyes and plan to stuff it just to make a decoy out of it...

I have a Yote pelt tanned also, But not wanting to spoke reds,grays and young yotes next season with it if it looks to mean or large to them.As our red and gray season has ended for this season. But we can still try a red decoy on coyotes with a stuffed toy in front of the red, to look like a rabbit in distress from the red fox...

Only downside is that the red fox pelt I have Is from my first season trapping, and I kept it as it has white red legs.As I planned to get it mounted to display.

But I am sure I could use a gray fox hide I have to make a smaller decoy wire frame and place the pelt over it...

thanks all, I want very much to get addicted to predator hunting.

So I try all idea's..
 
Decoys are great but you kind of have to get used to using them. They are best when seen from a distance. My JIB from Fox Pro has a chirp in it and I have watched Coyotes come running through the brush and zero in on the decoy from just the chirp when they could not see it. Decoys need to be used in a location where the animal can have approximately 100 yards to circle down wind. It seems most of my animals see the decoy then start their down wind circle. I set up to catch them on this down wind swing.
 
whaknstak there is another good thread in that website about decoys but i dont know how to make a link. i think it was started by rich cronk.

i think i am going to build me a fox like that.
 
Watch "Coming to the Call" with Byron South, they use what looks like a regular teddy bear and make it move. When those coyotes see it they forget about everything and get within inches of the decoy before they realize somethings fishy.

Personally I have seen a yote attack a foam decoy during mating season within seconds of calling. He had his mind set that it was an intruder and didn't think twice before charging.

If nothing else a good decoy will give you the opportunity to move a little wihtout getting busted so easily. They give the predator something to focus on. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
In my experience, decoys are an extremely valuable tool. I firmly believe the following. You appeal to a Coyotes ears when you start calling. As he comes in, most of the time he will start to head down wind. However, in my experience, if you can appeal to his sight with a decoy, he will be less likely to move down wind. A coyote generally wants to move down wind and use his nose when he is not getting enough feedback for his ears and eyes. Give them something for their eyes that confirms what they are hearing and you will get less Coyotes moving down wind and more taking a direct approach. Also, with a little inginuity, one can use some type of decoy in virtually any terrain. Bird decoys with wings that move either electronically or in the breeze work great when the ground cover is too tall. Decoys seldom need to really resemble anything real and can be rather crude as long as their is some movement involved.
 
I think movement is a key element in any decoy. They don't seem to be as effective on windy days when everything else is moving too. Most decoys are a relatively recent development, probably coming out of the use of fur strips like Sagebrush's or feathers in years gone by. A white turkey feather tied to a branch or stick in the ground with a thread over your caller will flutter and move in the slightest breeze. Try a crow feather when you're hunting in snow. Not as fancy as a remote control fuzz widget, but cheaper and it doesn't take batteries. Either can catch a coyote's eye.
 


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