Turkey decoy for elk?

conch

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I'm thinking of trying something I've never heard of. I'm going to use some turkey decoys while elk hunting next week. I'm thinking that maybe a big bull that holds up just out of archery range might just relax at the sight of a tom turkey and a couple of hens. Maybe it's a pipe dream, I don't know. I guess the only way to figure out new tactics is to try new ideas. Even if they sound stupid as heck.
A few years ago I tried a completely unconventional trick while fishing a favorite spot. The guy's and me were having poor luck and started laughing their hind ends off when I hooked up a cute little concoction. To make a long story short, they quickly quite the laughing and we slayed a fair share of big fish.
 
Nothing wrong with that idea. Heck put one on your head (as long as it isnt tukey season) walk up and just spear that big bull, he wont know what hit him. I dont see why it would do any harm to try it. I use a cow call quite a bit while stalking a spotted mule deer in noisy dry terrain. It calms bucks after I snap a twig or accidentally roll a rock. I also can get semi-spooked elk to calm down in close range by pulling grass in between a couple soft calm cow calls. I learned that one by listening to elk at very close range grazing. You can actually here the grass (break off) when they pull on it.
My bag-o-tricks is quite large and incredibally unconventional, I guess thats why I think the Turkey Trick is a good one! Let us know how it works!
Bittersweet
 
That grass pulling trick works for sure. I was out one night at my dad's place glassing a field. After it was a little to dark to see well, I opened the truck door and stepped out to relieve myself. There was a doe walking right at me. I got on my hands and knees and she continues to walk up to about 10 yards. I pulled on a few weeds and she put her head down and grazed right by me. Unreal ! I can't remeber where I read that one, but it just popped back in my mind at that moment and it worked. I'm sure that turkey decoy idea could work too in the right situation.
 
Well, the turkey decoy's didn't work for crap when I hunted turkeys. Of course, I had know idea as to what the heck I was doing either. Turkeys are not as stupid as I have always thought.
 
Conch,
As for trying something different it's always a good idea. I was deer hunting in Idaho a few years back just before daybreak a couple of bull elk started bugling just out in front of me. I sat down and waited for it to get light enough to see I could tell they weren't more then a couple hundred yards in front of me and the country was wide open. I was soon looking at a 6x7 and a 5x5 laying out in the sage bugling back into a stand of timber off to my left. Both bulls were bedded and bugling I thought that was sort of strange but decided to see how close I could get to them. There was no cover and I was in full camo so I got up but didn't stand straight up. I crouched bent at the waist and started walking eratically and slowly working my way towards the bedded bulls. It didn't take long for them to see me and get up. Both bulls just stood there while I worked closer and closer NEVER making eye contact. I would stop and shake the sage brush like I was feeding on it. I'm convinced these bulls did not know what I was. The big 6x7 actually started walking straight towards me!!. I got to within 50 yards in open country of both bulls. I even sat down, raised my rifle and put the big fella in my scope twice just to see what a big bull looks like in my scope. I finally got tired of screwing around with these two (because I didn't have a bull tag and was suppose to be deer hunting) so I put my rifle over my shoulder and started marching directly at the bulls. Needless to say they both took off like a shot. Trying something different is always good whether it works or not. IMHO.
 
Kingfish,
Your point about not making eye contact is so important. Lots of guy's laugh at me when I advise them to never make eye contact with an animal your trying to get in on. I'll go on the record saying it's one of the most important details of hunting.
Never make eye contact! I think it could be one of the single most important pieces of info to remember.
I can even relate some stories when my Bro's and I have been driving around scouting area and saw big animals. I beg them to not make the eye contact, even from the truck. They both think I drank to much in my younger years. LOL!
 
I think the turkey decoy might work! Why not????

Good story Kingfish. A great illustration. Excellent tactic to remember.

My wife is big on feeding the birds around our house. We have a covey of California Valley quail that come in every morning and evening. If I'm out tinkering in the yard they will come right in all relaxed and at ease. As soon as I make eye contact they get all nervous and start to leave. So I know it's true!

Steve
 
I am sorry to bust your guys bubble but I never believed in that eye contact thing so for a decade now almost every time there is a deer/elk I do not want to shoot I stare right in their eyes for a long time, I even think about how I am going to shoot them (for those of you who also believe the other fairy tale they know you want to hurt them too) never ever ever spooked anything ever.

Easily done this hundreds of times, sometime at game that is very close and I think should have spotted me already.

Many times I am hunting and not looking at a deer and suddenly they throw their head up and look directly at me, for NO reason. This is what happens when guys look at them - except the deer was going to do that any way - but they associate it with the eye contact when in fact it is only a coincidence.

Do not believe me - try it, not once but a lot, will never spook game.

DonV OH

Trying to dispell some old wives tales

I also here that you have to cut the tarsal glands off or it will taint the meat?
 
Well I was about to agree with the " no eye contact" thing, but
DonV says no way. I have had that situation happen before and I would swear that direct eye contact spooks them a little. However, I have never Tried to spook them with eye contact, so maybe not. I Do know that you can use a six-pack of crappy beer as a decoy for the locals around here. They will come in from every angle...drooling and with their eyes bugged out. That technique probably works well all across the South. Put a burrito on top and you're in for a hell of a hunt. They can't resist it.
 
Why not just use a good elk decoy like the the Montana cow elk III aka "miltilda"? They work great!!! A turkey decoy might work to help calm the elk down but I do wonder and doubt that it will help bring a elk into range, who knows?
 
Trey give it a try, I must admit when the trophy of a lifetime comes in I am not going to look him in the eye (just in case) but all my experiments have shown no problems with it.

Try it and let me know.

Any luck for grouse?
 
Going up on Friday morning for grouse. I'll do a little scouting / video afterwards. I'll let ya know, Don. We're gonna check out that spot you sent me coordinates for. I'll take some pics of the area for you.
 

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