Big Ed guessed it!
That's my Montana decoy. I'm really starting to like that thing. They really look real. I've had it set up and got a little sleepy in the stand only to start myself awake and do a double take thinking there was a buck under my tree.
So far this year, I've had bucks come in twice when I had it set up. The first one was about a 13" spread 7 or 8 point. I was up in a pretty small tree and had the decoy only 9 steps away facing edgeways right at me. This buck comes meandering along about a half hour before sunset. He's to my right and a little bit back over my shoulder. Bad place for me. Well, he was far enough out that I was able to stand up while he had his nose to the ground but I was facing right at him instead of being bladed off 90 degrees like a shooting stance. I'm expecting him to come across my front where the trail is and give me a shot but he keeps bearing right. At about 40 yards out, he locks up on the decoy and does a couple head bobs then turns to come in. At 30 yards out, I took a chance and turned just slightly in the stand and got busted.
Now, I said I was in a small tree okay? To give you an idea how small, I was using my Rapid Rails and twice while climbing up or down I had the feet on my middle step section slip PAST the trunk because it was too narrow! If I moved to get comfortable, the whole tree top shook. And I'm about 6'2" and 250lbs so... I don't look like a squirrel up there.
Anyway, he locks up on me and luckily, I'm standing real close to the trunk, my face is camo'd and I'm squinting my eyes a bit. I could almost SEE him thinking. He was getting that "Uh oh" look but then he glances back to the decoy which has quite a bit bigger rack than his and I could literally see him give a mental shrug. It was as if he was keyed up but then looked at the decoy and just said "Oh well, must be okay." Then he comes in to about 15 yards and looks up at me again and does the exact same thing! He looks at me, looks at the decoy and just shrugs. "Huh, okay." and turns broadside right towards the decoy. He lays his ears back a little and walks in kinda stiff legged but not overly so. I'm sure he knew he was outmatched but in he comes to 9 yards. He started out going towards the decoys head but at about 3 yards from it kinda turned towards it's hind end. I don't know if he was going to try to gore it or do the dog thing and sniff butts but either way, I took the shot and blew it.
Sure was fun though.
The following week, I hunted the same tree set up the same way and a different buck came in that was quite a bit smaller. He was still a 7 or 8 point but only about a 9 or 10 inch spread. When he saw the decoy, he changed course and swung a wide circle to the down wind side. He didn't really spook, but I think he was intimidated.
Here's another pic of the decoy.
So, the decoy is at 50% so far. Two encounters with one buck pulled in and one intimidated. The one that was pulled in was pretty cool.
Topic: A pic from my last hunt.... (Read 699 times)
