If I am calculating correctly, the 2023 bow season would be my 38th. There are about 30 of them I would like to have back. As the 2023 season approached, I was thankful for a young energetic bow hunter living in the house to get the ball rolling on permission and camera sets. If you follow Heads Up Decoy, you will know the month of November is go time. We have severally under represented during October. We hope to change that in 2024.
Big bucks on trail cameras are generally a good way to get the juices flowing, but nothing really got me fired up. There were a few good bucks, but nothing to make me loose sleep. The months of September and October was spent in the bleachers watching high school football and middle school volleyball. There were a couple off days in the mix that provide an opportunity for my son to tag a nice buck.
For me, I often reflect on the best advise I have ever received regarding shooting big bucks. That advise was to take a week off in November. For the past 15 years, I have done just that. I usually take the week before the opening of upland game hunting since most of my primary ground I hunt is prime pheasant and quail ground. The season started slow. I think it was the first time I had taken a day off in November and did not see a single deer...and I can see for miles where I generally perch.
The days ahead would begin to pick up and I was fortunate to pass on a really nice 10 pointer that I had seen prior. Although he was a nice buck and probably 4 1/2 years old, I was not interested in wrapping my electronic tag around him. He was cruising for does. I had predicted their motives for the day and set up accordingly. He was not the right buck.
As the day went on, the wind was too much to handle for decoying anything in the open country. Weighing my options, I settled on a small creek bottom offering some wind protection and an ideal ambush/cruising buck decoying set up. There were multiple good bucks using the area and given the circumstance, I felt good about my chances at one of those "good" bucks to cruise through and see the decoys.
Whenever I set up and do not plan on moving, I set the decoys in a highly visible location, but not out of close bow range. I like to set out both the Heads Up Whitetail Doe Decoy and the Heads Up Whitetail Buck Decoy as if the buck is pushing the doe. A big cedar tree against a big chalk bluff provided perfect cover with ample shooting lanes. If a cruising buck ventures by, he would easily see the decoys. If he chose to investigate, I would have an easy shot.
Settling in for the evening hunt, I was rudely interrupted by 2 bobcats. One of the coolest outdoor experiences I have had. Both were only 10 yards away growling at me high up the chalk bluff behind me. That alone made the evening a win.
Not long after the cats moved off, I spotted movement up the creek. It was 8 1/2! A great eight pointer that had one small nub that was barely a point...aka 8 1/2. The wind was still blowing hard, but I knew I needed to get his attention. I grunted a couple times. On the second sequence, I could tell he heard me. He quickly closed the distance and buzzed by my first and second shooting lanes at a rapid pace. Reaching my last window for a shot opportunity, I attempted to stop him but to no avail. He was close! Because he was so close I put my top pin on his front shoulder and released the arrow. Boom! The 2023 season was over in an instant with a great buck. And the first buck I decided to shoot where I did not spot and stalk.
It would not be right if I did not recognize the beauty of were this buck lived. I was far from my vehicle. With the waning light of the evening, I would not be able to retrieve my Canon camera in time for pictures that attempted to capture the beauty of the animal and the landscape where he came to rest. The iphone would have to suffice. The real life images, maybe not representative in the pics, will be forever etched in my mind...maybe it is better that way. For Video of this hunt: Click Here
]]>-Craig Temple
Moose has always been one of my favourite animals to hunt. Although they require a ton of work and time once you get one on the ground, they fill you with a feeling of accomplishment and the amount of meat in your freezer is second to none.
Last fall I drew a great tag here in Alberta so I set out with a goal to kill a Pope and Young class bull with my bow. In the spring and summer, I spent countless hours scouting and put on over 150 miles on my boots, searching for key areas, learning the land and picking up sheds. You could say that I was taking things seriously.
Before I knew it, the third week of September was here and big bulls were trailing hot cows while younger bulls were cruising in an attempt to find cows in heat. The leaves had turned and they were beginning to fall off the poplars that surrounded the scattered beaver ponds in the area I was hunting.
While hiking into the area I wanted to hunt for the day, I heard a bull grunting to my west and could tell by the sound of his grunts that he was tending a cow. He was grunting from a small bowl on top of a willow ridge only a few hundred yards away, so I circled to get the wind in my favor and snuck in with an attempt to get a visual on the grunting bull.
As I slithered my way through the willows and crested the rise, I spotted two cows about 100 yards ahead of me, looking in my direction, but calm. The bull wasn’t immediately visible, so I stood motionless for a period of time before he finally moved his head and the paddle on his left antler caught my attention behind the cows.
Having a bull tied up with cows is usually the end of the game when it comes to moose hunting. Mature bulls won’t leave a cow in heat to investigate a cow call and they won’t leave the cows side for a few bull grunts in the distance.
With no great play available and not enough cover to make a stealthy move, I crouched down and slid a black hoodie on, pulled my Heads Up Moose Decoy from my backpack and mounted it to my bow.
With the decoy in the bow mount, I stood up in plain view of the bull and his cows. I let out a low grunt and the bull’s eyes instantly locked onto me. His ears pinned back, he started thrashing the bush around him and letting out thunderous grunts that surged adrenaline through my body.
Game on!
I began to sway my way across the meadow toward the bull and his cows. This stalk was getting more and more intense. Closing the gap, the cows decided they weren’t a fan of the aggression and made their way over the ridge. The bull slowly followed but made sure I knew he wasn’t happy that I was moving in on his ladies.
As soon as he crested the ridge, I quickened my pace and closed the gap as fast as possible. I held the Heads Up Moose Decoy in front of me as I made my way over the ridge that separated us and as soon as the bull saw me, he started to thrash the willows, a mere 15 yards away. My heart was pumping out of my chest as things were quickly unfolding in the willow-covered hillside. I continued to work my way toward the bull and hoped for a clear shot at his vitals but as we danced around each other, there was no shot opportunity.
With the cows working ahead but intently watching the action behind them, I slowed my advances while they worked their way across a clearing only 40 yards ahead of me.
If the bull followed their trail, he would offer me a 37 yard shot. He followed. Swaying his rack back and forth with a stiff-legged walk, he cleared a patch of willows and gave me a small opening in the foliage. At this point, I came to full draw and settled my 40 yard pin low on his chest. My thumb came off the safety of my tension activated release and I began to build pressure on the back wall while my pins quivered on his vitals.
The shot broke and my arrow sailed its way through the opening and smashed through both of his lungs. I knew the bull was mine as soon as the arrow hit its mark and my quest for a giant bull was now complete.
As I sat down to replay all that had just happened, I realized how blessed I was to be able to hunt such an animal and how effective my tactic was that morning. I had heard rumors before of guys wearing black and having success on moose because of the color. I hadn’t trusted the tactic of a black hoodie and a bow mounted decoy before though. This was a game changing experience for me. You can bet I’ll have a black hoodie and a Heads Up Moose Decoy ready to get after it when the moose rut rolls around again next year!
]]>What hasn't changed is the durability, realism, and mobility. With the new design, the handle comes off the decoy at a more vertical angle making it sit in the bow mount with less torque, less fatigue holding the decoy, and sits more vertically in the clamp.
Elk hunting can be fast and furious, goofing around with equipment can cost valuable seconds. Our Cow Elk Decoy is designed to take every day of your hunt. Designed not to weigh you down or tie you down. Assemble it when you get it. It will be ready on demand.
Our biggest tip on the elk decoy is make sure the elk see it. If you are calling an elk and he or she cannot see the source of the calling when they are looking, then it will hinder your success.
To order yours: Click Here
]]>In Southern Indiana where I hunt, it has rolling terrain with many agriculture fields. Inter-mixed is scattered blocks of timber and draws. With the expanse of the large ag fields and the scattered blocks of timber and draws often used for bedding, I find that hunting over decoys is a great strategy because it can pull those curious and bigger bucks into bow range as they move from bedding to food.
In general, I like to hunt aggressive, partly because I am not the most patient bowhunter. Rather than wait for a deer to walk past me, I like to use calling and decoying to get the attention of those traveling out of range bucks. I have a son, Avery. When he is tagging along, calling and rattling is a great and fun way to introduce him to bowhunting and it's very interactive.
It was November 11th, 2020. I took my son Avery (age 9 at the time) out for an evening sit over a cut soybean field along a major travel corridor between thick bedding and the food source. We clamped the Heads Up Whitetail Buck Decoy to some fallen down trees just below our 2 person ladder stand. Once we got set up, I let Avery run the rattling horns on a blind rattle. Nothing responded.
Blowing into our face, the wind was perfect for where I suspected the bucks to be traveling...and the golden hour was approaching. It wasn't long before we saw some movement. From our right and as predicted, a shooter buck came out of the draw below us. He was traveling along an old gas line. The bucks love to use it because of the very thick cover.
Once at the edge of the old gas line and ready to leave the security of the heavy cover, the buck appeared as if he was going to head straight across the field presenting no shot opportunity. Avery grunted once, the buck turned to look and immediately saw the Heads Up Decoy. Locked into the decoy, he started heading our way. He closed 100 yards in just a few moments. As he got closer, the buck bristled his hair, postured up, and started side stepping. What a show!!! At 25 yards, he presented a quartering to shot. I settled my pin and let the arrow loose. I hit him high but through both lungs, he ran back where he came from and crashed into a ditch bank.
Since that hunt, my son asks every single time we go out if we can take our Heads Up Decoy. He is hooked!!
]]>At Heads Up Decoy, it is our belief that a whitetail buck with a doe singled out away from the "crowd" is the single most vulnerable situation a buck can be in. His desire to protect his doe is greater than any level of..."common sense". It is why we believe our decoy and this technique we first developed many years back can result in a close encounter nearly every time...if it's done right.
2010 was the first time we attempted and succeeded with this set up. Here are a few things we've learned over the years.
1. Stay Calm. Collect your emotions before you go "guns a blazin" into this set up. Take a moment. Slow it down. Like a great athlete in a sporting event you need to slow your heart rate. To often people see what we've done and think we simply moonwalk into this set up and the buck is going to prance in for a 10 yard broadside shot. Done right...this can happen. This doesn't mean go slow or don't react quickly to the situation...what we are saying is...don't be sloppy. There is a process.
2. Don't give away your hand. One of the most common mistakes. This is a spin off of the above tip. Too often customers show the decoy too early and from too far and then move in. There are times when this can work...but seldom. DO NOT show the decoy until you are inside the bubble! The bubble is as close as terrain will allow from 40 yards to 140 yards. Keep in mind, you need to also consider a mature whitetail buck is not going to react well if you spring up 20 yards from him like a jack in the box. Be careful...there is a buffer. Trust me...if you are 40 yards and you grunt or snort wheeze he will come find you.
3. Don't spook the doe. This is part of the 2 tips from above. Spooking the doe can spoil the hunt faster than a wind switch. This is where you need to make sure you don't go blazing in showing the decoy from too far and thinking you'll be able to moonwalk into bow range. Use terrain, wind, noise to get into that bubble range where you are a real threat to stealing his doe. We've killed one buck when we actually spooked the doe...we lucked out. It was the right set up and we didn't give up. Shot him at 15 yards coming after he snort wheezed at the decoy mounted to the bow.
4. The spoiler. The dreaded satellite buck. He's the guy that will make a bowhunter go crazy in this set up. The satellite buck keeps the mature buck from leaving his doe. He will close some...but he generally won't completely commit. Too many "roosters in the hen house" you might say. We've improvised a few times on this set up. Generally our shots are longer...30+ yards and we have to work harder and slower to get to them. In this situation, we often wait to see if the satellite buck will wonder off before we go in.
5. Calling. Don't go into this set up without a grunt tube. Once you are set up and ready. Show the decoy and send out a single grunt. If he doesn't react...give him another until he hears you or acknowledges you. 95% of the time, this is all it will take...HOLD ON. If for any reason you get an awkward delay after he's looking...give him a soft snort wheeze. Don't let him off the hook. Make him make a decision on your terms. We have killed multiple bucks when we've let out a soft snort wheeze. We do this with our mouth.
6. The Shot. When a buck does the deal like we see them on a regular basis, your shot will not be long. Generally inside of 20 yards. Expect a quartering too or frontal shot. Chill...they will be close. If you can keep your cool you will be able to execute the shot. The buck will be so pissed off he may not stop until you shoot him.
7. The set up. Get in undetected...THE MOST IMPORTANT PART...nock your arrow. Get organized. Show the Heads Up Whitetail Buck Decoy. Either have a hunting partner hold the decoy, put it in the bow mount, or clamp it to something solid in front of you. Make sure the first thing he's gonna see when he looks is the RACK and face of the decoy. Give him a single grunt. Do not get in a hurry. If he's coming...he's coming and you can draw easy...now it's up to you.
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Killing Mature Bucks Efficiently with Heads Up Decoy
As an outdoorsman with three young children and a demanding job, I don’t get to spend as much time afield as I desire. The rigors of long workdays, kid’s activities and household chores can put a big damper on scouting and preparation. I’ve had to adapt as a bowhunter in order to still put meat in the freezer each fall. Thankfully, the Heads Up Decoy has aided in that process.
On the afternoon of November 2nd, 2019, I was fortunate to harvest a beautiful Kansas whitetail as he was scent checking the downwind side of a known bedding area. It was my first time in the stand, and I was sitting that evening on a scouting mission in preparation for my upcoming rut vacation. Low and behold, a bonus buck cruised through to my surprise, and I fortunate enough to send an arrow through him.
Fast forward to November 17th. My brother Brett and I had finally escaped for a day of rut hunting. Again, with minimal time, we grabbed the Heads up Decoys and set out to harvest any mature buck that would give us an opportunity. The Kansas resident archery tag is good for either mule or whitetail deer, so we weren’t going to be prejudice either way.
At approximately 10 a.m. Brett spotted a bright white rack in the waving CRP grass. We quickly zoomed in with the spotting scope to determine that it was certainly a mature buck and that we should make a game plan to close the distance. We quickly gathered our gear and approached the CRP drainage on the downwind side. Much to our surprise, we met face to face with a mature doe towing our target buck behind. They had decided they wanted to switch bedding areas, so we had to quickly hit the deck as they worked past us into an adjacent CRP draw. We sat patiently as the pair faded out of site and we quickly repositioned to a point where we were able to watch the buck chase the doe in and out of the heavy cover. When the time was right, we made our move to the heavy cover in the bottom of the draw where the pair had crossed a few times. Now it was up to them.
After waiting only five minutes, they reappeared. As they approached, I presented the Heads Up whitetail buck decoy. The doe decided she wanted to investigate the new buck in town and quickly closed the distance to only ten yards. The bruiser buck quickly followed and marched in to only five yards of our setup, presenting Brett a shot opportunity. As I was filming the action and shaking like a leaf, Brett delivered a quality shot through the tall brush. After giving the buck plenty of time, Brett was able to wrap his hand around his biggest whitetail to date.
The effectiveness of the Heads up Decoy never ceases to amaze me. However, it’s simple when you think about it. A buck’s instinct in November is to find a doe in heat, follow her until she’s ready to breed, and defend his right to breed her. Other bucks are always going to approach a doe in heat and it’s a dominant buck’s full-time job to keep them away while keeping close tabs on his doe. Decoying mature bucks has changed the way I hunt and has certainly made me a very efficient bowhunter.
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Our initial designs are highly effective, but over the years we felt there could be some minor improvements. With all updated design changes, we adjusted how the handle supports the decoy. We made it more vertical so it is easier to hold. The weight of the decoy is more perpendicular with ground so there is not nearly the amount of strain on the person holding the decoy. This also creates a better balance when the decoy is on our bow. Having the handle angle adjusted also makes it easier for the clamp to support the decoy upright. Additionally, we lengthened the handle to better cover the upper bow limb when the decoy is in the bow mount.
We made some added shape changes to the decoys as well. The change is shape allows for the decoy to be more vertical in the bow mount and gives the hunter a better view of what is going on in front of them.
For our antlered decoys, we added velcro strapping to wrap around the antlers. We did it to help secure them and for customers to keep from loosing them or dropping off the decoy. Making this change, we also found by securing the antlers with the straps, it stabilized the entire decoy.
When hunting, there are always risks of an accident, although very low, but throw in holding a large whitetail buck decoy in your hand or attaching it to your bow adds additional risks. So, we have added high viz blaze orange velcro straps. The Heads Up buck decoys will all come with grey and blaze orange. You, the hunter, can decide which to use.
We have also made our Antlers for our Whitetail Buck and Mule Deer Buck decoys more realistic. The previous models were hand drawn. Now, the antler shapes come directly from a whitetail buck and a mule deer buck...we think adding more realism.
With the shape changes, the frame will need to be conditioned to follow the shape of the decoys. The frame of the decoys are very tough and resilient. The semi rigid tubing can be flexed and shaped to conform to the shape of the decoy. You will need to do this right out of the box. We have a video and will link it to the blog.
Otherwise the Heads Up Decoy is essentially the same. We have not changed our style of hunting, but we hope we have made some minor improvements that will continue to validate Heads Up Decoy as the pioneers of aggressive bow hunting.
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]]>With lots of rutting activity earlier in the day, we rattled multiple times each producing an encounter. With the grass so tall we could only hear them running in our directions. Finally, towards the end of the evening a small buck works his way into our shooting hole, but never offered a shot.
We took up the trail of the doe Kaleb arrowed. It was slow going with very little blood. We looked for several hours that evening. A cool front was moving in and the wind picked up to about 20 mph paired with dropping temps it essentially froze Kaleb out and we abandoned the recovery until the next day.
More of the same the next day. Very little blood turned into a grid searching mission in the vast expanse of towering CRP. The temps warmed up in midday after the cool front blew past us spelling a grim outcome if we were able to stubble into Kaleb's doe. Late in the day we were able to find her and I immediately knew she had died the night before...but there was nothing to salvage as far as the meet was concerned.
As we discussed the hunt, we could see he made perfect shot. The arrow penetration had better than initially thought. There was no exit wound. He was pulling almost 40#'s. I made an agreement with him that if he could pull 35+ pounds before bow season and shot good out to 20 yards I would get him deer tags.
It was unfortunate for him that she did not bleed like some of the animals I have shot, otherwise the recovery would have been totally different. Distance, lack of a blood trail, and thick CRP made for a lemon of an outcome. BUT, his request to save the tail turned into a great opportunity to learn how to tie bucktail jigs. When early spring after ice out rolled around, it would be time to fill the freezer with the help of the hair from his doe to make amends with the bow hunting gods. At that we did. We have used up all the hair from her tail and we've caught a ton of fish making lemonade out of lemons.
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THE RALLY DIP BUCK
As the sun seemed to be racing towards the horizon, my mind was running wild. What had I done wrong? Did they see me come in? Did I bump him? Had someone else come through before me? All those questions that pop into a hunter’s mind when you think you have planned a sit to perfection.
For the last two nights, my hunting partner and I had watched deer after deer meander through this cedar choked deep draw ridden piece of property en route to the cut milo field one section over. Seemingly endless numbers of does and a few pretty nice bucks had us really using our glass and scouring every deer in the field. One buck jumped off the page when he arrived from over the hill. An absolute tank of a whitetail that I decided at that moment, I would target from that moment on.
That night, as we sat in our cabin and rested, we checked weather, wind, barometer, looked at maps, and laid a plan together. As luck would have it, that very next evening, the conditions would be perfect. The game was on! I simply knew that at approximately 4:10pm the next evening, I would be laying my hands on most definitely the largest 8pt whitetail I had ever taken.
4:45pm that next day had arrived. My plan to this point had been flawless. I had made the ¾ mile walk back unscathed. Only once did I happen to spy a small fawn, whom I quickly had dismiss me as just one of her own with a pause and slow raise of the Heads Up Decoy. One look at “Wally” and the fawn just continued on its path. Wind in my face, I was settled in a cedar row, right on the edge of sun and shade. 100 yds in front of me is where the big tank 8 pointer had come the previous night.
4:53pm and I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Just my hunting partner letting me know his hunt was super slow too and he was going to the tried and true. He told me to get ready…he was putting in a rally pinch. With a half hearted chuckle I tossed my phone over towards my pack and double check “Wally” and my bow were accessible and ready to roll. As I raised my head to check the area, I spotted some movement. The evening was slow despite the rut being in full swing so even though it was only a doe, I was hopeful a buck would emerge.
With more focus and a little luck, I spotted another deer in the cedars. Gotcha. I see you in there. I raised my binos for a closer look. This deer stepped into the open. It was a buck. However, I could see right away it was not the the tank 8 pointer we had seen in previous nights, but worthy of a closer look. Luckily, I had the opportunity to give him a really close look and he was definitely mature with good mass. I decided that if I could decoy this deer with the HUD buck decoy, I would be happy to have played the game with him.
As he was looking away, I lifted “Wally” and held him out and around a cedar. The sun was shining bright on the decoy so it would be easily seen. I gave the new buck a quick grunt. He immediately spun his head and keyed in on us, but had no interest in coming. He went right back to scent checking that cedar grove. Having great confidence with the decoy and loving to combine that with vocals, I went all in. The decoy still out in the sunlight facing him, I hit him with a big strong snort wheeze. Boom! Attitude change! He spun around, dropped his head, pawed the ground, laid his ears back and short wheezed right back at me all in one motion. It was on…and he was coming. I was so blown away by his snort wheeze I hadn’t thought of my next move.
He had lots of ground to cover and would have to drop down out of sight to get to me. That would be my chance. When he went into the bottom of the draw, I shuffled over into a small “alley” of shin high grass channeling between the cedars and the milo behind me. I slid the HUD into the bow mount and prepared for his arrival. One problem, I had no idea where he was. I had to try to locate him! I raised way up on my knees, getting the decoy and its white horns tall as possible. This would give him the chance to see us even from the bottom of the draw. He must have spotted us, coming from the bottom he hit us with another snort wheeze! I barely had time to settle back down and reposition before I saw his tines coming up the hill. It was time to draw. As he climbed the slope and exposed his body, he stopped to size up the new intruder and challenged us with another loud snort wheeze! Unbelievable…3 times this buck had snort wheezed at me. I am at full draw now! The last sort wheeze shook me. Doing my best to keep my composure, I kept my sight housing on his chest as he continued to close the distance. The bruiser passed 2 small cedars I had ranged 3 hours earlier at 24 yds. Totally focused on the decoy on my bow and closing fast, he was going to be top pin! Finally he paused. My pin settled on his shoulder and the arrow was gone and through him in an instant! At 18 yds, my shot was true. One hell of a buck lay 50 yds away down the slope…fooled by the Heads Up Decoy whitetail buck decoy.
The shakes, you know what they are, had now hit me and I tossed my bow down and got off these old knees and onto my small stool to get myself together. Few breaths, a sip of water, and then a glance at my phone. My intent was to inform my buddy I had one down. To my surprise, it was only 5:04pm. That entire event took 10 minutes. Hell of a rally pinch!
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Saturday Morning Double-Auther Pete Gile
There’s just something about wild turkeys gobbling in the spring that’s infectious. From the first few gobbles I experienced as a young hunter by my father’s side, to the thousands I’ve heard since, it’s a sound I’ve never tired of. What a unique avian vocalization! In my personal opinion, the sound ranks a close second to the bugle of a rutting bull elk in the fall.
While the sound of a gobble itself is infectious, the thing that can really hook hunters, old and young alike, is to hear the gobbler answer a call several hundred yards away and subsequently calling him in and observe him strut into the effective range of your weapon.
As a father of two young boys, Bridger, who’s 10 years old, and Ryder, who’s 7, I’m constantly looking for ways to get them off of their iPads and Playstations, and into the outdoors with me. Obviously at those ages, long attention spans are in short supply. When the gobbling is slow, youngsters can quickly lose interest…However, when you finally get on a hot bird and call him into shotgun range offering a youngster an easy opportunity for an ethical harvest, you’ve just created a turkey hunter for life.
This finally occurred for me and my boys on Saturday, April 24th, 2020. After several unsuccessful hunts with Bridger, I could tell it was getting harder and harder to convince him to camo up and head out with me. On this particular Saturday morning, we opted to sleep in and head out for a mid-morning hunt with Ryder and my 69 year old father in tow.
We’d been seeing a few birds on some family property for a few days and decided to give it a go. The plan was for Bridger and I to use some generous terrain features to sneak into a pre-place ground blind and try to get a bird to answer. My Dad and Ryder would hang back a couple hundred yards in-case a blind shy bird tried to sneak in behind us.
Once Bridger and I were comfortably situated in the blind I began with some soft purrs and yelps progressing into my regular calling sequence. After the second group of medium volume yelps, two gobblers answered us from about 100 yards away in a wheat field. Soon the two mature strutters silhouetted themselves as they came over a small rise, answering almost every call I put their way. Without any decoys in place, I was surprised when they quickly made their way to less than 10 yards of our blind. Bridger took aim with his youth model 20 gauge and within a minute of first seeing the two toms he had his first spring turkey harvest under his belt. We were both ecstatic and much hugging, huge smiles and celebration ensued.
As many experienced turkey hunters have probably witnessed, after the initially shock of the shotgun blast, the second tom remained close by and soon was standing on the carcass of the downed bird and pecking away at him, unaware of what had done in his previously healthy buddy. For several minutes we just watched nature unfold in front of us and enjoyed the experience. This second tom was so preoccupied harassing his downed partner I began to wonder if it my be possible to sneak my younger boy Ryder into the blind for an attempt at the other tom.
I began looking behind the blind to try to get my Dad’s attention to give him hand motions to see if they could use the terrain as cover and have Ryder crawl into the blind.
After a few more minutes, all with this second tom still 25 yards in front of us, I saw my Dad and Ryder nonchalantly walking our direction in clear view of the bird. After hearing Bridger’s shot and giving it a few minutes they figured all the action was over and simply began walking our way.
Well, the second tom quickly saw them ironically about the same time they saw him and quickly my Dad and Ryder dropped to their knees as the bird gave a few warning putts and slowly walked north out of site. I finally had my Dad’s attention and gave him hand signals out of the back of the blind to crawl our way with Ryder using the blind itself as cover from the bird now approximately 100 yards away from us, but still gobbling at every call I made.
Soon Ryder was safely in the blind with us as my Dad sat outside of and behind it, using it as cover. I kept calling, and he kept answering, but with the human figure he’d just seen, he was too wary of the situation to waltz back into his previously deceased buddy’s location. However, we soon heard 2 more gobbles to the west of our location as two young jakes appeared on the skyline about 150 yards away. By this time the tom had reappeared in the field but wasn’t budging from the terrace he was strutting on well out of shotgun range, even though both he and the Jake’s were still gobbling at almost every call I sent their way.
My Dad then suggested that I hand him my Heads Up Decoy under the blind and he’d try to show it around the edge of the blind to see if it got any sort of reaction from the hung-up birds. A “reaction” was an understatement.
As soon as he held the Heads Up Decoy around the edge of the blind, the 2 jakes started coming on a dead run. The tom, not wanting to allow these 2 young birds to get to the party before he did, also turned to come our way, and the race was on.
Within seconds, Ryder had the bead of his shotgun drawn down on the old gobbler’s head at 15 yards and squeezed off a round.
And there it was! Two mature toms on the ground in less than 15 minutes; two spring youth turkey tags filled; and two young hunters, hooked for life!
Alex S: "Pretty sweet experience this morning turkey hunting to say the least. I was able to stock in on this Tom mid morning after watching him go into some woods. Snuck in close and used my @headsupdecoy to lure him back out. A few clutchs and he came on a string ready to battle it out. Ended up shooting him at 11 yards, @ironwilloutfitters broadheads did the trick. It was an absolute blast definitely recommended if anyone is looking for a different way to hunt these thunder chickens. 20lbs, 9" beard, 3/4" spurs."
Jed S. getting it done this morning at less then ten steps on film. What a great hunt!
I shot this turkey at 6 or 7 yards. I closed the gap from 450 yards to about 150 yards. Gave a few calls showed the decoy and the rest is history. I had the decoy mounted to my 1976 Bear Kodiak Magnum.
BowOnlyOutdoors laying down some sweet turkey hunting footage. Heads Up Decoy finishes the trifecta for them. Great video guys! Like and subscribe to their channel!
We had a nice Eastern come in to the HUD & put on a show this morning! My 7yr old son laid the hammer down & harvested his first ever turkey! Get yourself a HUD!
Korey P: Gf put this bird down on public ground! 3 Jakes, 1 hen, and this tom came running in to about 20 yards ready to fight the hud! Korey makes some sweet braided bow slings, turkey harness, and lanyards. Find him on Instagram at @kpfann84
— with Sydney Winston.
Heads Up Turkey Decoy Why we make them the way we do: One of the many reasons were are so dead set on making our decoys where you use your own fan is in this picture below. See how the sun lights up the real turkey fan. You cannot replicate this synthetically. On this set up, we had 3 long beards across the road and we needed to pull them across it. We would never try to up-sell anyone, because 99% of the time one Heads Up Turkey Decoy is all you need. But in this case, having multiple decoys out was the approach. We staked one in the ground and fanned with the other. The one staked in the ground is in the background. We thought this would generate enough attention to pull them across the road...and it obviously worked. Could we have done it with one...definately, but this was just our mindset going in. But, as you can see, the real fan looks amazing in the full sun. This is the image the gobblers, couple with the fanning with the other decoy, were seeing 200 yards away...and they came in on a string!
Christopher W set this to us last night! "Harvested my first bow kill turkey here in Mississippi with the Turkey HeadsUp Decoy.
He strutted in to 7 steps!"
Matt S! Looks like we have some video? Great Birds! Congrats
TIP: We snapped this selfie a couple years back of a hen just hanging out with us. When hens approach, don't worry about spooking them. Sometimes they will walk completely around you with no fear. Focus on the tom if she has one with her.
Justin Davis says: "Heads Up Decoy is by far the funnest way to hunt turkeys for me. Crazy how fast those birds can rush up in your face looking for a fight. They always rattle my cage." #headsupdecoy
Wow! It simply does not get any better than this. Lincoln uses the Heads Up Strutting Tom Decoy in a traditional blind set up and simply whacks a big tom. Best part is his 4 yr old boy was sitting shotgun watching the whole thing go down. Memories!!!!
Jason purchased his decoy at the Kansas Monster Buck Classic and made quick work on a great bird. Now you can replace that fan bro!
Big toms, big spurs, bit cats...ain't nuthin but a thang for Levi! Great bird! Awesome spurs! Heck of a fish! You are in a #zone buddy!
Don't let that sweet face fool you. She's a stone cold killa! Brad sat with his daughter. Had the decoy out in the ground stake which is sold with every decoy. He fooled this gobbler in and she let the hammer down!
"Was in a hurry getting Trevyn out to hunt tonight after working later than planned. Didn’t realize we put the fan in the decoy backwards till we snapped the pic after the recovery. You can mess up and the damn thing still works! Thanks guys awesome product!!"
Matt and his son are having another great year: Matt says: "I’m certain I’ve spent more time driving to hunt then hunting. This bird dropped 10 yards from this picnic table so figured what the hell haven’t done this pic before. But the highlight for sure of the day was messing around with Strantyn and ending up having two long beards inside 5 yards for a pretty good chunk of time. Little mans eyes were about to bug out of his head when then they both sounded off at no more then three steps. When I mentioned not having my phone again to record it he looked at me and said trust me I’ll never forget that one. Mission accomplished..."
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*#headsupdecoy #ateyelevel #bemobile #bedeadly #bowkillturkey #turkeydecoy
Tanner R lays the carbon down on this great bird up close and personal. Dekes the entire flock basically with the Heads Up Turkey Decoy mounted to his bow. Notice how easy Tanner draws his bow and takes his time. It's easy to get in a rush...try not to. Great video Tanner and thanks for sharing.
Quick and easy. A short video on how easy it is to have the Heads Up Decoy bow mountable.
Kansas Youth Season 2020:Jenna S and her dad fan in a great bird. This is Jenna's first turkey. She's just getting into hunting. There are not a lot of things cooler than shooting your first turkey...unless your first turkey has 2 beards!!!
April 3rd
Good friend Travis Glassman capitalizes on an opening day archery season opportunity! The Kansas archery opener didn’t disappoint. The @headsupdecoy covered me as I slipped in to only 20 yards of this beautiful tom. God is good! Thanks to my unselfish wife Kendra Glassman for putting up with my addiction! I love you! | #hoyttaggedout #hoytbowhunting #turkeyhunting #kansas #taggedout #outdoors #hunting #headsupdecoy #victoryarchery #onxhunt #stokerizedstrong #grimreaperbroadheads #cbesights #badlandsgear #germanprecisionoptics #redwrx
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It was a very warm day with a strong south wind in early April. The fish had been going strong on these very warm and windy day. Not necessarily ideal conditions for turkey hunting with the wind, I convinced my son we should throw our turkey hunting gear in the truck.
I had a spot that overlooked a really large track of public land where the birds were known to hang out. Once we were able to get to the overlook, it took about 30 seconds to spot some strutters way in the back end of the public ground. Other than the fact they were 3/4 of a mile away, would was a great set up. We did a quick survey of the area to see if anyone was parked on the other side just to make sure we were the only hunters in there.
Kaleb and I made our way back to grab a couple supplies for the long hike down to the bottom. We had been in a very abnormal wet spell for our area so every creek, ditch, and low spot had running water. It would be a bit sloppy but worth the hike if successful.
Once down in the bottom, Kaleb and I were chatting about my old bow hunting adventures in this particular draw. He ask, "Hey Dad, is this were you thought of Heads Up Decoy?" I was floored. I totally forgot that this very draw was the place it all began! I immediately got nervous. I thought to myself...how cool would it be to kill a turkey in the very spot I came up with the idea waaaaay back in 1999!
The feeder creek leading to the lake made a perfect low travel corridor to close the distance. The 35 mph wind helped as well. It did not take long to spot the birds once we reached #eyelevel them. There was a good group of birds and after a few minutes of calling and fanning the Heads Up Turkey Decoy, the hens and toms made their way in.
I had Kaleb set up several feet to my right embedded in a cedar tree. The birds, in typical fashion made their way in and Kaleb was able to make due on a great Kansas public land Rio! We did it! Killed a great bird in the very spot I dreamed up Heads Up Decoy 20 years earlier...lol...we haven't been in business that long. That was just the time I thought about it. It wasn't really until 2009 that we really got things rolling with Heads Up Decoy! Be Mobile...Stay Mobile!
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Matt is an accomplished bowhunter and he is particularly good at bowhunting elk. He has a wealth of experience and it should be noted that Matt uses every tool in the books to get a bull in close or to help him close the distance on a herd. Stalking is his "go-to". Matt would agree with us when we say how important it is to develop an awareness for the situation. Experience and failure help you understand what is needed for any given situation. Matt never rules out calling or decoying. There is a time and a place for all types of elk hunting techniques. Our Heads Up Cow Elk Decoy, in a stalking situation, can help cover your movement or relax a cow that may have caught some movement. We built the decoy to be used many ways...and to be taken every day in the field. Make sure it is by your side when you need it.
#headsupdecoy #elkhuntingtip #bemobilestaymobile#wapitiwednesday #bowhuntingelk
FreeTip: Elk Hunting Public Land.
Elk season is so close you can almost smell it. For those of you that have smelled a "big stinky" you know that smell.
This free elk hunting tip comes from our good friend Royle Scrogham from That's Bowhunting: "Don’t be afraid of people…going in deep has been beat to death! The last bull I harvested was only a couple miles from the road in an OTC unit in Colorado. Just because there are other people parked at the trailhead, doesn’t mean you won’t get into elk. Don’t over look spots, because they are high pressured or close to the road".
We totally agree with this. People can help you! One of our best spots, until taken over by an outfitter, was on the edge of a heavily used wilderness trailhead. Hunters going deep pushed the elk back.
Keep in mind, 10% of all elk hunters kill 90% of the elk. What that means is that there is a fair amount of elk hunters that are pushing elk around because they struggle at it. Elk are hard to hunt. The wind saves more elk than anything. One whiff of a person in an OTC unit can send elk on a 10 mile stroll. They are looking for small areas that have food, water, protection and a buffer, or safe zone, from people. That safe zone could be right under your nose.
So to echo Royle, don't get discouraged about people. Try to find that buffer or safe zone from the crowd and hunt it. If there are no elk, then move to the next area. The beauty about the Heads Up Cow Elk Decoy is that you can take our decoy along every day and every place. No reason to leave it behind. So when you find that safe zone in a highly pressured area it will be ready...make sure you are as well. Good luck. Be Mobile...Stay Mobile.
#headsupdecoy #elkhunting #elkhuntingtip #bemobilestaymobile #elkdecoy
Free Elk Hunting Tip: This elk hunting tip comes from our good friend Jason Phelps with Phelps Game Calls.
Jason Says: “Hunt where elk are. Don’t continue hunting areas that look good or where elk were. Move to somewhere within the unit where there are more elk or there are elk willing to be called to. The season is too short to not be hunting where the elk are.”
This is so very true. Early on when we first started elk hunting we would marry ourselves to one location. Listen, every place in elk country seems like prime habitat, it doesn't mean elk want to be there. Rather than being perplexed why an elk isn't where you are...don't continue to pound it. Go find another spot.
There is always a time frame to dedicate to an area you've worked hard to find. Unfortunately, the elk will tell you if it's worthy of their presence. It is not personal if they are not there. Look or listen for indications that elk are in the area. Literally, steaming elk sh*t, fresh tracks, muddy water in early season wallows, and obviously vocalizations. Evaluate tree rubs...are they this year's or old?
Our recommendation is not to abandon an area you've found without spending at least one full day in the area. A "full day" is shooting light to the end of shooting light. Elk can come alive in the mid day. If you are sitting back in camp or driving in the truck all bummed out, you may not hear or see any mid day activity.
Be sure to take mental notes, just because elk are not there when you are, doesn't mean they will not be there in 5 days. This is why we like to spend at least one to 1 1/2 days hunting an area. Gives you an opportunity to learn it. Log it in the memory bank. Determine if it's worthy of another visit later in your hunt or another year.
Make sure you don't sabotage yourself by being ignorant with the wind. Elk could have been in the area, but being careless how and when you navigate a hunting area can send elk running long before you are close to them.
Have multiple spots to hunt. One of the most important part of elk hunting. Don't be afraid to come back to a spot you've previously checked off the list. But, in the end, don't spend too much time where elk are not.
Like many times, deer do not follow the script. One of the reasons I like having control of the decoys. In this case, both were clamped to the brush a few yards from me. A buck sure enough appeared several hundred yards away. When I first saw him he was on a dead run to my set up. The closer he got the slower he moved.
Because he came from a slightly different direction than anticipated, my decoys were not perfectly set up for him to easily see them. Which is the reason I like having control of the decoy. this buck actually worked his way passed me and then eventually saw them again. He crossed the creek and started closing the distance. In the waning minutes of last shooting light, the wind had laid down and thermals kicked in taking my scent directly to him. The jig was up, but nonetheless it was a great hunt.
My good friend Nic was in town and he was hoping to experience some good rutting activity. It was the beginning of November 2017 and the whitetail rut had been pretty slow so far. We had not had a very good response to calling and rattling and it seemed like few bucks were cruising around.
By the morning of about the fifth or maybe even sixth day we had seen a few decent bucks but nothing presented a shot. This morning we were hunting a decent sized piece of public ground. Nic and I split up that morning trying to cover a few different areas. We saw a handful of deer moving right away but nothing we wanted to close some distance on. As I turned my bino’s to glass the bay of the lake we were hunting against I noticed a deer standing on the far shoreline. I recognized immediately it was a good buck. As I watched him longer, he chased off a few smaller bucks and I had a hunch he had a doe locked down in the rushes. Sure enough, after maybe another 10 minutes I saw a doe emerge from the cover. She bedded back down as the buck continued chasing off some smaller bucks. This was a situation that looked promising.
After a few hours of keeping tabs on the buck and doe they hadn’t moved more than 15 yards or so. I made my way over to Nic and he was also watching the duo. I told him we could get on those deer. He looked at me skeptically. I told him the plan. We would head back to the truck drive a few miles and come at the deer from the other side. Then hike in the mile or so to the bay we last saw the buck. Our hope was to get in there and I would have the Heads Up Decoy and the buck would see that and come in to chase off the intruder and Nic would get a shot. He once again looked at me skeptically.
Fast forward a few hours. We had backed out, came around and were sitting at the crest of the hill above where we last saw the buck. We found 2 of the smaller bucks bedded so now it was just a matter of finding the big one before we got spotted by any of the, at least 4, deer that were below us. We didn’t have to wait long. Two of the smaller bucks couldn’t take it being bedded downwind of the hot doe and got up to harass the big buck and doe. It didn’t take long for him to stand and chase them off. Now we had him pinpointed and it was a matter of time until we could make a move.
He finally bedded back down and we made a plan. Nic would back out and come in from directly above where they were bedded and I would stay put until he was in position then slip down, side hilling towards the deer and do some aggressive grunting to get the buck to stand and offer Nic a clear shot.
Nic used his ninja skills to close the distance to what looked to be about 40 yards or so from my angle. He gave me the signal and I started towards the deer. I closed to about 50 or 60 yards and started grunting. Nic saw the deer stand and start my way before I could see him. Suddenly he came out around all of the cover towards me. By this time Nic was at full draw. The deer saw the decoy and took a few more steps in my direction paused and looked towards Nic. The buck looked back towards me as Nic sent the arrow. Turns out Nic was about 23 yards and made a great shot! We watched as the buck went about 50 yards and collapsed near the lake shore.
Time to celebrate! This was Nic’s biggest whitetail and a story neither of us would soon forget! With smiles on our faces we relived how the events unfolded and the effectiveness of the H.U.D.as we snapped a few photos (like almost 400!) and got the buck boned out and loaded into Nics pack for the hike out. The weight of his pack couldn’t wipe the smile off his face!]]>I had been purchasing preference points for Wyoming for several years. The points have been a bit of a distraction honestly. When was I going to pull the trigger and what unit was I after? My love/hate relationship with elk hunting has always trumped antelope, but I had made up my mind after tagging an elk in AZ in 2016...2017 was the year to do it.
Calculating my number of points, I pulled the trigger and applied for the best unit I could draw with the amount of points I had and the unit that had the most possible public land available for Wyoming pronghorn antelope. As expected, I drew a tag.
A good friend of mine, Zach McClain, with ShadowMOutdoors had hunted the unit the previous year and said it set up perfect for Heads Up Decoy. Zach and his friends are like most Wyoming residents...kill antelope early so it doesn't interfere with elk season. Zach has had GREAT success over the years with Heads Up Decoy and particularly with antelope. He hunts in August...decoying in August is a bit of a myth...but Zach has had great charges and encounters in this part of the season. I followed his advise and planned an early hunt for Labor Day Weekend. I also planned a for a more traditional hunt for later in September closer to the heart of the rut.
The first morning started off wide-eyed. I had never seen that many antelope in one area. We were out of the truck early and often. The sheer numbers, although great, were a double edge sword. Getting out to close in on a target buck often ended with spooking antelope that were not accounted for on the initial plan. Many stalks were over before they started.
The recipe for early season decoying was this: Find that bubble, and 100 yards seemed to be that threshold. Although Zach and his friends were having great success at farther distances, it seemed on this trip that 100 yards was that magic number.
Late afternoon on the first day, I dropped into a wash and used it to get below a good buck. As I crested the bank with the Heads Up Antelope Decoy in the bow mount front and center, the buck took no notice and continued to feed. Recognizing this opportunity, I closed the distance. As the buck would raise his head or turn his body in my direction, I would settle on to my knees making sure the Heads Up Decoy was the first thing he saw if visual contact would be made. Closing into approximately 100 yards, the buck finally recognized an intruder and began to close. With every step closer, my heart sped up. The buck was soon standing inside of 50 yards facing dead on to me. There was no shot. Being patient, the buck started angling to my left presenting a perfect broadside shot at 50 yards. I drew back, settled my pin on his chest. The buck did not flinch. When my arrow sailed harmlessly in front of his chest, the buck sped up the hill and was gone. Not really dejected, I found my arrow and headed back to the truck. There was going to be plenty more opportunities.
The second day of the hunt was just like the first. Multiple blown stalks with one miss at the end. The buck had closed to 40 before his doe decided to blow out of the area taking him to 60. Again, my arrow missed it's mark. BUT, the stage was set. We knew what to look for and how to get the antelope to close the distance to the decoy.
We were blessed with great weather. Day three was a picture perfect day. As Zach and I cruised and winded down the roads weaving through the vast expanse of public land, we happened upon a perfect set up, a bedded lone buck. As we drove passed the buck, we quickly assessed our situation. There was a gradual slope down wind of the buck's position. All we needed was a place to hide the truck. As luck would have it, we were able to easily hide the truck and make our move. It was a quiet morning and as many may already know, sage, rocks, and cactus do not make for quiet and easy stalking.
Having good landmarks is key to any stalk and proved valuable on this one. Having the antelope decoy in the bow mount and an arrow nocked, I ascended up the slope towards our mark. Cresting the hill, the buck immediately detected our presence. I was watching my steps at the time. Looking up seeing the buck on his feet took me by surprise. He was close and peering right at us. With some nerves setting in, it was difficult to get a range on him. I turned and took a deep breath to calm my nerves and to focus. I was able to get a range. The buck was beyond 50 yards. He had taken several steps in our direction, but present no shot. Next range was 45 yards. It was a staring match. The buck began to angle towards me and I was able to draw my bow and easily settle my pin when he was broadside. When my arrow made impact, it was not ideal, but it did its job and my first Wyoming antelope was in the books.
This was a great adventure. Awesome country. Great friends. I thought to myself before the hunt that I would never return...wrong. It was a great time. Spot and stalk antelope are difficult, but worth the effort. I will return and I will be there with Heads Up Decoy.
Special thanks to Zach McClain with ShadowMoutdoors. ShadowM is a small outdoor production company. Zach films all his hunts as well as most of his friends and family. He is an incredible bowhunter. I thoroughly enjoyed his company and I look forward to our next adventure.
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I’ve always been a run and gun turkey hunter. Since the age of 13 many a long beard has fallen victim to my old Mossberg 835, but a few years ago, I made the decision to go strictly archery only on everything. As turkey season neared, I was having a hard time figuring out how I was going to draw my bow without getting busted! I knew hunting from a blind was an option, but when a bird will answer my calls but won’t come, I can’t handle it…I must go after him! It’s in my nature, I’ve always hunted that way. So how could I get away with this? Lucky for me, I ran across a Facebook Video of the Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy. It looked to be my best option, but I was still a bit skeptical. That was until I had my first long beard come running to five yards from my HUD before I could even get my bow drawn. My heart was pounding out of my chest! I totally bombed on a five-yard shot!
The coolest thing about the HUD Turkey Decoy is it gives me options. I mount mine to my bow, but I can easily slide it off and stick it in the ground like a conventional decoy. I’ve also found that running it with a hen decoy can be the turning point for a highly pressured long beard. Once a long beard realizes the HUD decoy has a hen, one better be prepared for a self-defense shot, as the tom is going to get close in a hurry! The HUD allows me to stay light and mobile at-all-times. Using it as a conventional decoy or bow mounted has yet to disappoint! The adrenaline rush I get from a weary ol’ tom charging in to challenge my HUD decoy is second to none! Better yet, is watching a buddy experience the HUD for the first time. The number one question that I get asked about the HUD is, “Does it really work that well?” I have now hunted with the Heads Up Decoy for three years in three different states, both public and private land…and the answer is YES! I don’t go to the turkey woods without it. I’ve taken two birds already this year with the HUD, and I still have a tag left... So stay tuned, there’s more to come!
]]>A light April baseball schedule was helpful to allow us a couple weekends to get in the woods if Mother Nature would cooperate. We are fortunate to have some places that we can go with good numbers of deer and turkeys. Navigating school and baseball, we did our best to capitalize during the youth season, but a one close call was all we got. Fanning turkeys with a nine year old toting a gun that weighs as much as him was giving us a tussle, but we gave it a try.
As luck would have it, we spotted a good flock of birds. They were in a great position for the both of us to get in close and see if they would charge the Heads Up Turkey Decoy. As we positioned ourselves with the decoy in front, I whispered instructions and updates to Kaleb who was at my side. I let out a few hen calls. The toms, not far away, went into full strut. It was a calm quiet evening, so we could hear them spitting and drumming below our position. As the toms juked and jived, there actions made it difficult to see them from our location. We tried to remained patient, hoping we'd see a red head pop up from the grass in front of us.
Our patience...well...my patience began to waver and I decide we should move ahead and take a peek. As Kaleb and I moved ahead, I of course spotted 3 long beards coming up the slope. Unfortunately, they had worked to our left. It is hard to say how long they were there, but we quickly shifted our bodies to get an angle on the birds. As the toms stood wondering if they should strut or run, I asked Kaleb if he was on one and if so, SHOOT. BOOM!!! A single shot disrupted an otherwise perfectly still Kansas evening. All hell broke loose, turkeys flying everywhere. Not sure how so many could be so close without seeing them. As we stood and trotted in the toms' direction, we quickly realized we had a swing and a miss. No birds were harmed, but we certainly gave them a big scare.
Like any good dad, I told my dejected son that it was no big deal that he missed. Just because that tom had a 14 inch beard and 2 inch spurs, it was nothing to hang his head about. As we took turns jabbing each other about the miscue, he asked about the shells he was using because apparently, on the shot, it rolled him on his can. I confessed to slipping in a 3" mag instead of the agreed upon 2 3/4 lighter load.
A week to 10 days later, we had the weekend off from baseball. The weather was brutally windy, but we had turkey tags to fill. It was a Friday and after school we headed to a known location out of the wind where turkeys liked to frequent before their journey to the roost. We arrived in plenty of time. I placed the Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy out in front of us using the ground stake and a couple low budget hen decoys as an accent. With the wind conditions and the lack of activity, boredom set in. Fresh out of optimistic encouragement, I gave in after several long series of complaining. I gathered our things and we headed to the truck.
Once back to the truck, I recommended not giving up on the evening. If we give up, we will not have a plan for the morning. Kaleb agreed and we went to have a peek at a small pasture with a dry creek running through it. As the season progresses, there are occasionally some birds using it. If we were lucky, there could be a chance for a morning roost hunt if we could put some birds to bed.
As luck would have it, we quickly located some turkeys. We sat and watched several toms strutting and bickering amongst each other...not a hen in sight. The wind was brutal. 30-40 with gusts close to 50. The birds were holding low and tight to the dry creek bed so when they were strutting they would not get toppled over by the wind. As the evening sun fell below the horizon, the birds, one by one, headed to roost. We took a couple mental notes and eased out full of hope for what the morning had to bring.
The wind was unrelenting throughout the night with no let up in the forecast and a full moon to boot. I felt the need to wake up extra early to give us plenty of time to find our ambush spot that provided wind protection for our decoys, but good visibility for the toms to see us once they pitched down. With the wind howling, there was little concern of being heard. The shadows and the protections of the many trees along the dry creek would provide ample cover as we sneaked into our spot. Our only true obstacle would be crossing the fence to get into the pasture.
This fence has gotten the better of me on several occasions during daylight hours. It's barbed, tight, and electric. It's charged me on two separate occasions. I am pretty sure that when it hits you, passers by could see your skeleton. My latest encounter, I am pretty sure I blacked out for an instant and I rolled down the ditch. Kaleb saw it and was like...Dad, you okay? Not knowing how I ended up on my back, I said yeah. I'm fine. Don't tell your mom.
The fence prove to be a non factor this morning. With all our gear, we sneaked down the dry creek bed towards the roosted birds hoping to find that ideal sweet spot that is close, but not too close. A place to set up the decoys and a place to hide. Having gotten as close as I felt comfortable, I sat my gear down to survey the perfect spot. A small bend in the creek opened up a low, but flat area with plenty of space with good visibility for us and an approaching tom. Many of the cottonwoods along the creek are huge. Throw in some small cedar trees and you have some great hiding.
Getting up extra early proved to be key, because I was not able to relocate my gear in the dark shadows of the trees. There were some tense moments until I tripped over my pack. Once all our gear was at our set up, I placed the Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy on the ground stake facing the direction I anticipated the birds to be coming from. The wind was blocked just enough to provide movement to the decoy, but not send it to Nebraska. I also set up two low budget hen decoys for added enticing.
There was an enormous cottonwood with a comfy spot next to it. Kaleb sat between my legs. A perfectly placed deadfall was covering our front making a perfect gun rest. He was warm and comfortable. I was hopeful. We sat and chatted about possible scenarios, playing out an ideal approach of the birds or if they came from this or that angle what to do. Kaleb asked about the shell I put in the chamber and if it was one of the 2 3/4 inch shells he requested. Like any good dad, I said yes...but slipped in another 3 inch mag.
Morning roost hunts are as much about hearing the gobbling on the roost as anything. Unfortunately, the 30-40 mph winds pretty much muffled that. All we could hope for is to see them fly down and maybe see them out in the short pasture grass.
The morning light filled our setting. With the wind making it difficult to hear and our somewhat low position, we sat patiently hoping something would appear. The birds were not holding tight to the creek as I had hoped. Instead, they pitched far from the creek and worked there way up a high ridge in the pasture. I was fortunate to catch one of their red heads just on the backside of the ridge. I called to the best of my ability. They had heard my yelps and were gobbling like crazy. Back and forth they worked staying high on the ridge. I was not optimistic this hunt was going to work out.
As we watched them disappear, then reappear, then disappear again, I told Kaleb that I think they got the better of us this morning but we can sit for 15 more minutes just in case. Well, it did not take long and the 3 toms reappeared...and with a little more focus on our position. Now, I seldom nail a morning roost set up, but I think this one turned out to be one of those I got right. The birds could easily see the Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy from the ridge. As they moved along the ridge the giant cottonwood tree we were using for cover blocked our view of the birds. They got quiet and I could not see them on either side of the tree. I told Kaleb to be ready. Sometimes when they get quiet, that means they are coming. Before I could finish my sentence, Kaleb whispered...THERE THEY ARE! They were close and they were charging in shoulder to shoulder. Down the creek bank they came. They crossed and the first tom cleared the brush at 8 steps and BOOM! A kids first turkey flopped in our spread. We were happy campers.
]]>We don't know the motivations or practices of those that are compelled to go out of their way to pronounce our products as a safety hazard. They are not our customers. Our customers are bowhunters that want an edge. Our customers are bowhunters that see the advantage or opportunity Heads Up Decoys can provide. Our products are highly effective in the hands of a good bowhunter with some basic knowledge of animal behavior and an awareness of their hunting environment. Is our turkey decoy or any other Heads Up Decoy a slam dunk? It can be, but certainly not every single set up.
So, addressing the safety issue with fanning turkeys with the Heads Up Turkey Decoy. Your greatest asset will always be your instinct and awareness of your environment. There will be times and places when having the decoy on your bow or hunting with the decoy directly in front of you may not be the best application of our product. This is one reason we offer conventional options that are effective. Our bow mountable or handheld features, are simply that...features...to allow the hunters to make decisions on how best to approach a hunting scenario...the safety component should have already been addressed. 99.9% of our turkey hunts when we us a fanning style technique (bow mounted or handheld) are well away from dense cover in an open field where turkeys are out and about doing what turkeys do. Do no place yourself in harms way by chasing success no matter the cost.
Common sense, awareness, and emotional control will always be required in a hunting situation. Hunters following the golden rule which is always properly identifying their target. Be absolutely certain what you're targeting.
With a little homework on Heads Up Decoy, a critic or customer should understand that our products are mostly designed to provide a legitimate bowhunting opportunity is places where it is extremely difficult to get within bow range...0-40 yards. For turkeys, we expect birds to come into range which is 0-20 yards. Heads Up Decoys are also designed to extend your hunting day, opportunity, and provide great adventure. Essentially making the unhuntable...huntable...with a great chance of success. Heads Up Decoys are not design to put you in the crosshairs of another hunter.
We feel completely safe, but we've always been very aware of our hunting environment as well as having an understanding who has access to the property we are hunting. What season is going on (Rifle or shotgun). It is our thought that some basic homework and common sense will keep your hunt safe and full of adventure using Heads Up Decoy.
]]>The advantages of the Heads Up Strutting Turkey decoy is its versatility. Although the decoy is designed to work best as a fanning decoy, it can also serve the hunter well in traditional roost set ups staked into the ground. But for this article, we are going to focus on getting started with using the Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy as a fanning device.
Fanning turkeys does come with some baggage. There are those that think it's cheating and those that believe it is a safety hazard. Believe us when we tell you, we've heard it loud and clear for many years. We will touch on these issues later, but not necessarily here in this piece, specifically the safety component.
If you were to ask when is the best time of the year is to fan for turkeys or what time of day is the best, honestly, we probably could not give you a satisfactory opinion. I have known people that have fanned them with success in the fall, but spring mating season when there is not the distractions of big game is widely regarded as the best time of year. But, is it early season or is it late? We say YES to both. We personally believe any time turkeys are strutting and gobbling is a great time. Unfortunately, our seasons only go from early April through May. This is the time to have this technique in your arsenal.
The reason fanning can be so effective is because you are joining the dance. You, as the hunter, are out there on the dance floor working every move you have in the tackle box. Just like a tom turkey.This is a far different approach than the traditional roost set up where you are set up off the dance floor and trying to draw them back the "table" area.
Tom turkeys are here to put on a show and they do it where they can be seen and heard. So look for those areas away from the timber were birds are strutting and plan your approach. You will need cover and mostly terrain to help get you as close as you can before busting out your moves. Now, there are times we've sucked them in from several hundred yards because that's the closest we could get. Unlike deer, I don't mind getting in their personal space before showing the decoy. Just make sure you are ready because there may not be much time.
With our bow mountable system, you would simply slide the decoy in the bow mount and pop it up, nock and arrow, and peak around the decoy to see the charging tom. Providing movement is as simple as moving your bow around. Try to stay and look below the decoy. If you stick out too much from the top and the sides, the birds tend to not respond as well. Looking below the decoy, you can get away sometimes lifting it up several feet off the ground with no consequence. If you get a charging bird, I prefer to let them get within 20 yards or closer before drawing. Draw your bow easy and smooth as you can. Do NOT rush your shot. Something I often have to remind myself.
Drawing early in my experience leads to shooting early and at greater distances. I like birds inside of 20 yards and that is when I like to begin my draw cycle. BUT, it can differ for others. Many have success drawing early and letting them work in...but it's not for me. Only you can determine what works best for you.
In closing, fanning turkeys can be very effective. Not always easy. And you do it where birds like to be, which is out in the open strutting there stuff. Please check back on other related articles to help you with your Heads Up Tom Turkey Decoy.
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The early morning sky was black as I parked my pickup and started the mile-long hike to my blind. I rattled and clanked as I walked… the gear I was carrying didn’t make for a silent sneak to a stock watering pond I had discovered several years before. As the morning light began to shine I located a herd of pronghorn. I attempted a stalk close on the moving herd when they suddenly disappeared down a deep draw on the Montana prairie. Crawling around the side of a knoll, I found them busily drinking their fill next to my blind, the does all tanking up while the buck was on the lookout for any competition for his harem. He didn’t see any other pronghorn bucks, but he spotted me easily enough. As quickly as the stalk began, it was over. I spent the remainder of the day in the blind with no action.
Tips for Bowhunting Pronghorn Antelope: A breakdown of the Season
I’ve found that when hunting pronghorn antelope with a bow and arrow, there are several “seasons” within the usual antelope archery season, which in Montana runs August 15 to the second Sunday in October. The first season starts at opening day, and lasts until the end of the first week in September. The dog days of summer are the times where I’ve had my best luck sitting in blinds over watering holes, because the weather is generally very hot and very dry. Find a place where the antelope water frequently, and sooner or later they will return to it. I’ve heard of placing a blind in the morning and taking a pronghorn from it that afternoon, but that is unusual. I like to let them get used to the blind for a few days before hunting it. Stalking into the blind quietly in the dark seems to work best, and hopefully you’ll be able to set it up downwind of where the tracks indicate the most watering activity. After you get in the blind, it is simply a waiting game.
The second season is the time during the antelope rut, which peaks around mid-September. Using a decoy of some kind during the two middle weeks of September can produce some of the most thrilling bowhunting action you’ll ever see. Watching a mature, territorial pronghorn buck sprint at you as hard as he can is a sight you won’t soon forget!
It pays to keep out of sight for as long as possible before exposing your decoy. If the antelope sees your vehicle, sees you walking, or if you skyline yourself, you’re usually wasting your time trying to coax a mature buck within bow range. What works for me is to park my vehicle below the crest of a hill and walk up to it with my binoculars. I’ll scope out the area ahead of me before I move through it. If I see a pronghorn buck that looks feisty, I’ll figure out a way to slip up on him, hopefully closing within 200 yards before raising up the antelope decoy.
After the rut, waterhole hunts in blinds again get the nod, depending on the weather. Late September- early October can still be very hot and dry on the plains, and a patient sit over a waterhole is still effective.
Of course, anytime the antelope archery season is open is spot and stalk season. This is a very exciting method of hunting pronghorns, and works well if you’re in good shape for hiking and crawling through sagebrush and cactus, and also if you’re able to make slightly longer shots. Forty to fifty yards is not an uncommon distance for a bow shot on the prairie, because of the lack of cover. You’ll have many opportunities at longer shots, but these should be avoided because the chance of the animal moving is great, and also the typically strong winds can really affect arrow flight. If a bowhunter is patient, one can usually utilize breaks in the terrain to close the distance to within 40 yards, and make an ethical shot. Traditional bowhunters, with their ingrained and required discipline and patience, often get opportunities much closer than that.
As the season wore on with no success from the blind, it was time to transition to the next phase of the season. Seeing some good pronghorn bucks from my blind in the early season, so I saw no reason to venture too far from the same area to try decoying one. I’ve been decoying antelope for years, and I have several decoys in my arsenal, however this year I was particularly excited to try a decoy I had recently acquired. I was the editor of the Montana Bowhunters Association’s quarterly magazine at the time, and I had sold advertisement space to a small business named Heads Up Decoys, out of Kansas. I figured that we should support the businesses that support us, so I bought one of their antelope decoys. It was a photo-image on a foldable frame and could attach to my stabilizer. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about shoving the decoy stake in the baked earth, and I could hunt solo.
Getting a late start to on this September day, I made my way out to antelope country, leaving the blacktop and weaving my way down first gravel, then dirt roads to my hunting destination. Not long after arriving, I immediately picked out a lone antelope and I could tell right away that it was distracted…something was bothering it. Closer inspection showed a coyote was hassling the antelope buck, and also that the buck was large enough to require more scrutiny on my part. The coyote wasn’t doing much more than irritating the pronghorn, but that distraction was enough for me to drive my pickup to top of the hill so that I could put my spotting scope on the little drama. The ‘yote was just being a pain, and I could tell that the antelope, while mature, wasn’t quite what I wanted. Still, I had a brand new decoy to try out, so I backed off the crest of the hill and took a long hike around the gentle rise in front of me. I discovered a narrow cut in the prairie that took me within 300 yards of the buck, but I still wanted to get closer before I showed the decoy. There was no real cover, so I got down on my 52 year-old belly, and went to work.
I’ve always been surprised at how well my body responds to the demands I give it. Again, in spite of the time spent being a couch potato, I was able to crawl to a little fold in the prairie, and after relocating the buck, I slowly raised the decoy attached to my bow.
Nothing happened. Not only did the buck not see me, but the gusty crosswinds made it almost impossible to hold my bow/decoy steady. But that soon worked to my advantage, because nothing is more noticeable than movement. My decoy caught the attention of the buck, and he wasted no time. In less time than it takes to tell about it, he was 50 yards away and closing fast. I came to full draw, and held it when he crested a small hill 30 yards away. But he was head on, so there was no shot. The crosswind made it difficult to hold steady, so I passed on the shot and watched him turn and walk out of my life. When I had a little more hill between me and the buck, I scuttled to the top of the little prairie ripple and displayed the decoy once more.
I was surprised at how much he didn’t seem to care about the interloper in his area. Then I noticed that he wasn’t even looking in my direction. I looked over my shoulder and saw a good, wide pronghorn buck flying across the prairie, heading towards the antelope in front of me. I spun around, and displayed my decoy as largely as I could. It felt weird, shoving my compound up and waving it around, but it felt right.
It worked. The wide-horned buck ran by the buck I’d just decoyed, gracing him with barely a glance. He turned, and ran right to me. He stopped broadside at 35 yards, and I released. It was a good hit! The buck sprinted up the hell. I could see blood coming out of his chest, and I knew it was over. He made the top of the hill, and went down.
Already on my knees… I threw my head back, raised my hands and my bow to the sky and let out a primal, but silent, roar. If I’d had given voice to that roar, it probably would have carried to Canada, but to bellow it out would have been rude, somehow. I had just taken something’s life…I must show it respect. I thanked Christ. I thanked my wife, my kids, and my health. When I ran out of things to thank, I powered up my cell phone and called a couple friends, and shared, in excruciating detail, my experience.
I celebrated the clean kill, the mature buck, the addition of some tasty back straps to my freezer, and the conclusion to my Seasons in the Sun. I had spent a total of one hour and 40 minutes decoying antelope. After the many hours and days I had spent in my blind, you would think that I’d give up waterhole blind hunting forever, and concentrate on just hunting during the rut. That isn’t going to happen. Decoying pronghorns is far from a guaranteed shot opportunity. I had simply stumbled over an antelope buck in the mood to fight. Also, why would I cheat myself of hours of mental peace and communion with nature just for a chance at a quick kill? 21st century life is a busy hassle, and when we have an excuse to escape it, we’d better take it, every chance we have. The moment of truth is why we hunt… the quiet times are what make us whole.
Steve Sukut
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Once you've found a potential spot, look around to see the best way to enter and exit for a quick hitter set up for a calling and rattling sequence. Can it be glassed from a distance. What wind is ideal? How are the animals coming and going from that location? All things to consider at this time of year.
These areas I am referencing are typically off the beaten path of traditional river bottom locations. I.E. not travel corridors.
The most effective way to kill a whitetail buck with the Heads Up Decoy is during the rut when he has isolated a doe in or near estrus. This is commonly referred as "lockdown". In that situation, the buck cannot resist protecting his prize at all cost. Being able to identify those areas ahead of time can help you devise a plan to slip in for a chance at an unforgetable encounter with an angry whitetail buck. Or, if you draw blanks a spot you can slip out without being too disruptive.
Father and Son Late Season Mule Deer Success in Arizona
Story by Toby Archer
With a last name like “Archer”, it comes as no surprise that bowhunting is wired into one's DNA. Toby Archer of Colorado is no stranger to success when it comes to hunting big game species with archery equipment. One of his noteworthy accomplishments is what is known as “The Big 8” on his home turf which entailed harvesting an elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and mountain lion… when he was just 28 years old. Very impressive, to say the least.
Fast forward to present day, Toby’s current hunting strategy has evolved to pursue animals from more of an interactive aspect which involves calling and decoying tactics from the ground. The size of the antlers means nothing to him, (although he has killed a 400-inch bull elk) it’s the experience and the chess match he is after, especially while hunting with his son, Cameron.
Annual January Hunting Trip
A new year means one thing to Toby and his son; an annual seven-day hunting trip to bow hunt mule deer and javelina in Arizona. On the first couple days of their 2017 hunt, they were scouting and putting miles on the truck when they stopped by a farmhouse. After a few minutes of conversation with the farmer, he notified them of two big bucks that crossed the road about a half-mile down earlier in the morning. Knowing that the chances were slim with archery equipment, they grabbed the Heads Up Mule Deer Buck and Doe Decoy to increase the odds of getting a crack at one of the deer.
They parked the truck and begun slowing moving down the draw the bucks crossed into and within a few hundred yards, they spotted one of the deer off in the distance. With the wind in their favor and a mule deer buck decoy attached to his bow, Cameron set up in a small pocket of brush while Toby hung back 15-yards and clipped a mule deer doe decoy to a bush. It was a textbook calling setup so Toby began crashing the horns and raking branches as an attempt to draw the deer closer for a shot.
After a few minutes of making a ruckus, they caught movement to their immediate right. To their disbelief, one of the bucks had slipped to within four yards and was raking the other side of the bushes they were set up next to. Not wanting to move, the buck finally came searching for his opponent and circled in front of them at only eight yards. As he cleared the bushes, he locked eyes with the Heads Up Decoy, which distracted him from Cameron’s movement as he drew his bow. With the big muley at eye level, Cameron let an arrow fly and buried the fletchings into the chest of the heavy buck at close range! 80 yards and 30 seconds later, an Arizona mule deer buck laid dead.
The Secrets of Success
Toby is a firm believer that if you are able to fool two of an animal's senses, the odds of closing the deal increase tremendously. As illustrated with him and his son’s mule deer hunt, Toby created a realistic visual by using a buck and doe decoy combined with the commotion of rattling antlers. Mule deer are curious animals and will investigate a potential threat or encounter if the setup is right. Furthermore, Toby is not afraid to get aggressive and is always amazed at the amount of movement you can get away with while using a portable, lightweight decoy.
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Author Travis Glassman
November 13, 2016 turned out to be a day my wife and I will never forget. We left our house as the eastern horizon was beginning to illuminate. We didn’t have a game plan other than to cruise to a few different vantage points and glass in hopes of spotting a mature buck on his feet. The lockdown phase was upon us and we knew sitting in a tree stand was likely to be uneventful. During the peak breeding phase, the bucks tend to push their doe’s into the flatlands avoiding encounters with other bucks.
As we rolled up to our first glassing perch we immediately spotted some whitetail rutting activity in an open wheat stubble field. There was one hot doe bedded in a brushy fence line and there were three bucks battling it out to claim breeding rights. We noticed that one immediately stood out as dominant when he made quick work of running off the two inferior bucks.
After the heavy ten-point claimed his prize he finally nestled in for a late morning nap. It was time to make our move. We had been glassing these deer from a half a mile away through our Vortex spotting scope so we jumped back in the truck and made our way through a small pasture to close the distance and position for our stalk. We geared up and started sneaking toward a weed filled fence corner that would put us to only 80 yards from the bedded pair.
The stalk was going very well even though it was unseasonably warm and seemed too calm for trying to approach within bow range. The plan was to make it to the fence, position Kendra on my right side and present the Whitetail Buck Heads Up Decoy. However, the buck stood to scent check his doe before we were able to execute our plan, so we forced to belly up to the cover filled barbed wire fence. We quickly realized the deer were working their way toward the same corner post we were using as our ambush site. With the help of the decoy, we were able to shift our position for a more optimal shot opportunity. Kendra nocked an arrow and we eagerly waited.
The buck was intently monitoring the doe and scanning our direction at only thirty yards away. I slowly slid the decoy in front of Kendra and whispered for her to slowly draw her bow. She performed flawlessly as the decoy was working its magic. The mature whitetail was now engrossed on the threat of another buck and we could see his demeanor change from content to aggressive. Kendra, now at full draw, slightly leaned out around the decoy for her shot. She settled her pin and let the arrow fly. The arrow buried perfectly behind the right shoulder and the buck bounded off and stopped about 80 yards out. He immediately started to expire and we were both ecstatic.
This is a prime example of how the Heads Up Decoy has changed the game of bowhunting, especially during the rut. I have learned to embrace the lock down phase instead of loathing it. It’s my new favorite time to hunt mature bucks. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing your wife wrap her hands around a 180-inch whitetail and tasting the sweetness of lockdown success.
]]>A passion for hunting, a bow, and the beautiful deer-covered land of Nebraska started 2016’s deer season for Shadow M Outdoors. My buddy Shane had been talking to me about the quality of deer that Nebraska has to offer. He invited me down and offered to be my cameraman for the hunt. I have never hunted Nebraska, so I loaded up the decoys and hit the road with excitement.
This hunt started out with some challenges right out of the gate. While I was in Idaho on my elk hunt, I broke the LCD screen on the video camera. This left us with only the eye piece on the camera to see what we were videoing. Despite my bad luck with the camera, our pre hunt scouting was turning up some good Nebraska bucks. As the sun started sinking, we spotted a few bigger bucks worth having a better look at for the morning hunt.
It was nice and cool at the start of the morning as we made our way to glass the place we left off the night before. As the sun started rising, so did the wind speeds. Fortunately, It did not take long for us to glass up a buck worth putting the sneak on. Assessing the situation, we devised a plan of attack. Holding up the decoys, we eased through an area clearly visible to the deer. The decoys helped cover or approach to a better position. Losing sight of the buck, we felt we were now somewhere within 150 yards from where we last seen the buck.
Using cover and terrain, we eased further ahead hoping to make visual contact. I placed the mule deer buck decoy in the bow mount. With the wind basically howling at this point, I decided to use the doe decoy on my bow and have Shane stay close behind with the buck decoy and the camera. This could not have worked out more perfectly. The buck we were after was making his way up the draw in our direction. When he came around the corner of the draw, he immediately saw the decoys and was on a rope right to us!
The wind in the draw was inconsistent and started blowing right down the draw towards the buck. I thought we were doomed. But, this buck was so committed to the decoys, I think he forgot that he had a sniffer. Besides the wind, there was a fence in his path. But he was so committed, he jumped the fence and closed the distance to about 20 yards. He looked at the buck decoy and began posturing to show he was the boss here and to steal his intruder’s doe. I rose to full draw and anchored my pin at the base of his neck and let my arrow fly. “THWACK”, it was a good shot.
We watched him run and then stumble over the hill. Not sure who was more excited, me or Shane. It was a tossup. It is always great to hunt with friends who get just as pumped up as you do. As we closed in on my buck, there was no ground shrinkage. This wide muley had me grinning from ear to ear!
This hunt was once again proof that Heads Up Decoys work. The ability to stay mobile with such a realistic decoy changes the game completely. This was the first time Shane had ever seen the decoys put to use in the field. Once the big mulie saw the decoys, it was over. He did things no bucks should. Heads Up Decoys are a game changer...the proof is in the video.
Bio: Zach is an avid outdoorsman from Wyoming. He hunts enough to make anyone jealous. Zach has been using Heads Up Decoys for several years now and has been documenting his hunts with them through Shadow M Outdoors. Zach is absolutely lethal with Heads Up Decoys. From Deer, Elk, Turkeys, Mule Deer, and Antelope...he's had success with them all.
]]>Author Garrett Roe
A steady blood trail through the pasture provided a dose of optimism, but as the trail lead over another fence line a few hundred yards from the shot, doubts of a quick recovery continued. Peering ahead through my binoculars, I could see large amounts of blood on the cottonwood leaves, but no white belly or antler tips. These are the agonizing moments nearly every veteran bowhunter has experienced. Despite several more hours of daylight ahead and a steady blood trail, I elected to pull back and wait until the next day.
With all that has been published over the years, it is difficult for many to comprehend how a mature whitetail buck can be shot at close range often miles from any tree with little to no cover using an aggressive assault. Since 2010, harvested ag fields, CRP draws, brushy hidey holes, open cattle pastures, and traditional river bottoms have provided me with hair-raising whitetail bow hunting action that few have experienced.
By 2010, we had established decoying elk and muledeer with the partial body mobile decoy, but whitetails would be virgin territory. With the new whitetail buck decoy, we discussed among friends the idea of stalking and challenging our open country whitetails while they were cruising, chasing, and locked down during the November rut. On November 20th, 2010 an opportunity presented itself. Easing our way through the milo stubble towards the bedded buck, my partner, Kent, and I worked to get the light wind in our favor. The decoy was in hand and ready. Stalking undetected to 70 yards from the bedded buck, Kent held the decoy in front of us and grunted. We immediately drew the buck’s attention. With visual contact made, the gnarly 7 point rose from his bed and without hesitation postured in. At 17 yards and closing, my arrow, entering slightly in front of the near shoulder, penetrated deep into the buck’s chest. The massive buck fell in sight. In that pioneering moment, a new era of whitetail hunting began. Since that moment, I no longer need to rely on shooting a buck where I am. Using a highly mobile and portable dominant buck decoy to exploit a buck’s extreme aggression during the rut, I can now shoot mature whitetail bucks where they are.
A whitetail buck follows a repetitive cycle during the rut involving searching, chasing, and isolating (locking down) does in estrus. For each step in the cycle, I have observed, and since 2010 participated in, a mid-western buck’s desire to demonstrate his dominance towards another buck nearly every time an opportunity presents itself. For me, the 2016 Kansas archery season would be no different than the previous five: locate a mature buck searching, chasing, or locked down and challenge him.
Tips to Decoying Whitetails with Aggressive Tactics
By all accounts, the 2016 Kansas rut was slow compared to previous years. Taking a break for lunch after an uneventful morning of searching for a mature buck, my friend David Gillan and I discussed our afternoon options. With several mature bucks seen on trail cameras, none of my tactics to locate or to draw those bucks out of hiding were producing results. Since 2010, I have spent about 80% of my time bowhunting whitetails in ag fields, CRP draws, and cattle pastures. It is not unusual for me to be several miles from the nearest tree. Prime areas for upland birds and coyotes. Seeing daylight action should not have been an issue.
I decided to make a detour to glass a pasture that turned up mature bucks for me in the past. The pasture slope was choked with yuccas and was a magnet for bedded bucks locked down with does. Its angle to the sun along with the dense yuccas provides isolation and a cozy spot on crisp November days. Although the current afternoon temps were near 80, it was worth a look.
As I slowed the truck to position the cab at our glassing point, David alerted me of a buck and doe standing in the waste ground some 300 yards from the road. I raised my binoculars and immediately located a buck I considered to be big. The buck was oblivious to our presence. Completely focused on his doe, the tall tined buck was frozen like a statue. Because the buck would not turn his head, we could only determine that some of his tines appeared to be long and good width.
I proceeded ahead to park the truck in a more hidden location. Our new vantage point allowed David and me to see that he indeed was a solid mature buck. My favorite scenario looked to be materializing. There was no reason to be in a hurry or to force anything. This mature buck had his doe isolated from competition. We patiently waited for the pair to settle into a permanent bedding spot for the day. At this point, the only concern was another buck cruising in to disturb them and spoil my opportunity.
The buck and doe were bedded in dense mare’s tail. Marking the location the two were bedded, I knew in my mind that once in the same field setting up in good position with shooting lanes would be difficult. The wind, although light, was completely in my favor and just enough to cover my movement. Crawling proved to be much louder than crouching so I stayed on my feet only to crawl over the last terrace before settling into position. I had made it inside the “bubble” without detection.
Scanning ahead, I saw a small pocket where the weeds were mostly knee deep. It was where I anticipated my shot. The buck, if he committed to the set-up, would be on top of me. Making sure I had shooting lanes was a new problem, all my past set ups had barely any cover at all. Lying on my belly, I prepared my set up. I secured the decoy in the bow mount and pulled an arrow from my quiver. My grunt tube was easily accessible and ready. Raising my bow to display the decoy, I followed behind knocking my arrow. Sitting back on my heels, I settled into shooting position. I peeked ahead and to the side before letting out a loud grunt. Nothing. I followed with several more loud grunts. Using my mouth, I followed my grunt calls with a snort wheeze. The buck did not show himself.
Waiting a few moments, I felt the buck needed a nudge. I eased ahead a few yards essentially giving up most of my shooting lanes. In the process, the worst possible scenario transpired. I bumped the doe. She exploded out of the weeds on my right and bounded off. The buck stood from his bed looking for his doe and then peering at the intruder. With only his head visible, I estimated him to be 30 yards away. When the doe busts, the jig is usually up. However, the buck was not alerted. Unwilling to risk additional movement to grab my grunt tube, I let out a soft snort wheeze with my mouth. That TICKED him off. The buck blew me away with a snort wheeze! He licked his nose, lowered his head, and bristled his hair. He was COMING.
The angry buck was at 20 yards quickly and did not flinch when I drew my bow. Peering through my sight window, I searched for gaps in the mare’s tail. Now bearing down on me at 15 yards, my pins drifted over the buck’s chest in front of the near shoulder. I instinctively released the arrow. When the buck spun in retreat, I could see my arrow with half penetration and splattering blood lit up by the afternoon sun. The buck sped through the weeds and towards the adjacent pasture out of sight. My heart sunk knowing my shot was not ideal. With his head swaying particularly low, my arrow had slammed high in the neck.
David was observing from a ridge a few hundred yards away. We met where I took my shot. I discussed the shot placement and where I last saw the buck. With the dark weeds, taking up a blood trail near the shot was impossible. We weaved our way toward last visual and identified a surprisingly good blood trail a hundred yards from the shot. We easily followed the blood ahead through the grass only to see that the buck had jumped a fence into the adjacent pasture. A steady blood trail continued leading us to a small grove of cottonwoods with cedars growing at their base. Not wanting to risk bumping the deer, I looked ahead using my binoculars. I could see large pools of blood covering the leaves. The buck was nowhere to be found. Easing into the cottonwood grove, we could see a blood trail was heading directly for the creek. Hesitant to push ahead, we glassed the fringes of heavy cover along the creek bank. No white belly or antler tips. Despite having good blood and plenty of light left in the day, I made the decision to leave him for the night.
Joining David and I the next morning was my good friend, Kent. Picking up where we left off from the previous day, we soon found another area of massive blood loss. One track and one drop of blood leading away told us it could be a long day. Fortunately, several steps later, we found the buck partially submerged in the cold creek and completely intact. With a less than stellar shot placement, I credit a good broadhead to the recovery of this buck. The 2016 archery season was over and another great Kansas whitetail was taken using an aggressive decoying tactic.
]]>Author Matt Palmquist has been using Heads Up Decoy since 2010. He's had great success with the Heads Up Decoy Mule Deer Doe and has helped us develop different techniques for success bowhunting open country mule deer. Matt shares his story and tips below.
Story and Photos courtesy of Matt Palmquist
I started using the heads up mule deer doe back in 2010. I wasn’t convinced decoying was going to be part of my repertoire of tactics for hunting mule deer so I used the decoy sparingly the first two years. However, I watched several buddies effectively use the decoy and started asking questions on how/when they effectively used the decoy.
In 2012 my eyes were opened drastically when my brother Lucas and I killed two mature mule deer in less than an hour on the same ¼ section of ground. Three days later I killed another mature mule deer in Eastern Colorado with the doe decoy and realized how deadly it can be. In fact I looked back on my 2010 and 2011 seasons and how many times I could have used the decoy to lure in large mule deer to successfully fill my tag.
My favorite scenario to use the mule deer doe decoy is when I find a mature buck that is cruising in search of a hot doe. Mule deer are typically in herds consisting of a dominant buck with a handful of does, but before they join a group you can often find mature bucks on the move during the early stages of the rut. A lone buck looking for love is in trouble when using the decoy.
The number one key for success is that the buck has to see the decoy. Be very aggressive when you find a cruising buck. If you can’t intercept him don’t be afraid to move aggressively directly at the buck using the decoy for cover. When the buck finally sees the decoy it is usually over and they head straight to the decoy. Two out of the three deer we killed in 2012 we ran at the deer until he finally notice the decoy. I shot my Kansas buck at 12-15 yards and the Colorado buck at 20 yards!
If you find a buck already with does don’t be afraid to use the decoy still. Often times the does will also check out the new doe and lead a buck directly to you presenting a shot opportunity. If they aren’t interested don’t hesitate to crawl towards the herd with the decoy visible to the deer. On multiple occasions I have crawled within range on bedded deer, including a small group of bucks before the rut, as well as a mature buck tending a herd of does. To be successful the decoy has to leave the pickup. Once the decoy became part of my arsenal I had some amazing experiences that resulted in short blood trails!
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]]>Since 2013, Patrick has consistently helped many hunters as well as has his own success using Heads Up Decoy. He particularly enjoys the Heads Up Mule Deer Buck Decoy. Patrick has this dance down. Here are his tips and advise for using the Heads Up Mule Deer Buck and Doe Decoys.
Many people have asked me if the Heads Up Decoy really works on mule deer as well as it does on whitetail, antelope, turkey, and elk? The answer is Absolutely! The proof is in the pictures. I have successfully used the mule deer decoys on numerous occasions to harvest trophy class bucks for my clients across the Eastern Plains of Colorado and have passed my experience on to several of my good friends who are now slaying mature bucks all across the West. They are not magic and deer don’t just come running in every time you show them one, but used properly and at the right times it might seem like they are. Understanding mule deer behavior and having a good grip on basic stalking principles are first and foremost in being successful with your HUD. Here are a few of the situations in which I have been successful using the HUD on mule deer and how.
The first scenario is simply using them pre rut on bedded single bucks and bachelor groups of bucks. I try to stalk in as close as possible to a buck while it is bedded. I am not a fan of sitting close to a bedded buck, waiting for them to stand up on their own. More often then not the wind is going to switch and blow them out of there. I’d rather have control of the situation and stand them up after having come to full draw. Often times just coming to full draw with the decoy attached to the front of the bow is enough movement to get the buck to stand up relaxed and stand long enough to get smoked. If that doesn't do it, I will give a couple grunts with my mouth. If that doesn't work, I’ll moo like a cow. The end result is that the buck stands up, stares, gets shot.
They say curiosity killed the cat. Well, it definitely kills the bucks also in the early season. Sometimes you just can’t get close enough to a bedded buck or bucks. I’ll get as close as I can then show them the buck decoy, sometimes you have to move it to get their attention. Once they see it, don't let them stare at it forever, make it slowly disappear like a buck bedding down. Maybe just letting the antlers stay visible. This seems to work better on bachelor groups of bucks. They all know each other and a new buck is someone to come check out.
My absolute favorite time and effective use of the HUD for mule deer is during the rut and at the very tail end of it, almost post rut. I feel like if I can stalk within 100 yards of a group of does with a mature buck running the show, I am 100% going to get him to come to within 20 yards to check me out. You have to break this 100 yard barrier in order for him to feel threatened enough to come for a fight. Sometimes 150 will do, but the closer the better. Use the buck Decoy, not the doe! You are challenging him like bugling at a bull. He already has ladies, you want him to come run you off. The only time I use the doe is when there are two people, put the doe on the shooters bow and the other person operates the buck decoy by hand. Sometimes you have to move them to stimulate interest.
The only time I use the doe by herself is on post rut bucks I call the "Wanderers". As the rut comes to an end you will see bucks all by themselves just lined out, wandering, look for one last chance to get some. These bucks are almost too easy and will come from hundreds of yards if you can get their attention. I try to stalk ahead of them then move out into the open crouching behind the decoy. I want to be as visible as possible. They will come.
I hope these tips help you all to be successful with your mule deer Heads Up Decoys. They have certainly revolutionized the way I hunt muley bucks.
Remember basic stalking principles are first and foremost, use the buck decoy, add some movement, don’t let them stare at it forever before the rut. Good Luck! ~Patrick Montgomery
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Credits for Tips and Pics: Kent Hensley, Garrett Roe, and Matt Palmquist
Standing ag crops, specially corn and milo, are considered to be one of bowhunters worse nemesis. Whether you are chasing whitetails or muledeer, they love the comfortable confines of those fields. After all, it has been their home for 3 months. Some years, the "agony" of standing crops carries deep into the deer season. This could be dependent on the producers motivation to get it harvested, or more likely, good 'ol Mother Nature. Drought stricken crops, fields too muddy, or temps too warm, Mother Nature has her role.
Here is your Free Tip Friday for hunting and having success in standing crops.
1) High point the field and glass it: Try to see as much of the field as possible from one vantage point. Best time to be there is before first light through mid morning. Most good optics can gather enough light to see movement. I've watched bucks serpentine through a milo field past 10 AM before bedding down for the day.
2) Find the nearest water source: Especially in dry years, water sources around a large milo or corn field will be the isocenter for consistent deer activity. Find their general course leading to water. On extremely warm days this could be a productive way to intercept a thirsty buck that has spent his day in one of these fields.
3) Field edges, low pockets, terraces, and wind: People understand the height corn can grow, but sometimes it is easy to forget that standing milo in good years is 4 feet tall. To see a deer in milo, they need to be on their feet with their head up. Always helps if they have a big...tall...white rack to see them easier.
Field Edges: Skirting the field edges using the Heads Up Decoy can be an effective way to help draw a buck out or to sneak in and capitalize on a bucks movement this time of year.
Low Pockets: In years when weather has stunted the growth or knocked down pockets of a milo or corn in a large ag field, setting up near one of those pockets and using the Heads Up Decoy along with some calling and rattling sequences can draw them out for a shot. Hunker down in the standing crops with the decoys clearly visible when a deer approaches.
Terraces: Terraces are great travel corridors and bedding spot. Terraces can provide extra shade, protection from the wind, and a subtle vantage point for a big buck to spend his day or to travel. Pay particular attention to these areas when glassing or setting up on a field edge or low pocket. Terraces also make great barriers to high your movement on a stalk.
Wind: Even a light breeze will mask your noise and movement in standing corn and milo...REAP ITS BENEFITS
Marking a buck: A guy can get twisted around in a quarter section of standing corn and milo pretty easy. Once you've spotted a buck and you are lucky enough to see him in his bed from your glassing spot, locating him at eye level can be next to impossible. If there are no terraces to count, you'll need to proceed with caution glassing frequently. This is were the Heads Up Decoy can save your ass and create an opportunity for a shot. When you spot the buck, you have two possibilities to use the Heads Up Decoy...and both could be used simultaneously. Depending on the cover and if the buck is bedded or on the move. The Heads Up Decoy can help you intercept a buck moving through a milo field, or to draw him to you. If he's bedded, the decoy can help you get into bow range or hold him when he stands. In early season when the crops are most often still in the field, I like to use the doe decoys for this. I believe they are less threatening and more tolerated than the buck decoys. If it's late in the year...November...hands down the Whitetail Buck decoy. In fact, you might be able to use a club instead of an arrow. Nonetheless, do your very best to mark where that buck is to increase your odds on a success full approach.
Making the shot: Shooting an arrow or finding shooting lanes in standing crops can be difficult, but not impossible. Be patient! Look for very close range shots unless otherwise allowed. Make sure their chest is clearly visible. Avoid the desire to shoot them in the head. Be comfortable with a frontal shot. Most importantly...if you have success...DO NOT LEAVE the spot were you made the shot. MARK IT HEAVILY. If the shot is not as good as you thought, leaving the area without marking it makes it next to impossible to find on your return.
Setting up a Heads Up Decoy: If I am posting up in a milo or corn field waiting for movement or to draw a buck to my location, I run a handful of milo heads or corn stalks up the pocket of the decoy and bind it all together using the clamp. The handle does not need to be in the clamp. This will wear your decoy a touch, but it will hold it in place. Holding the decoy to move or to approach a buck's bed is another great way to get into bow range. The Bow Mount is another great option.
DON'Ts: Standing corn and milo is cash for the producer. Respect it. Do your absolute best not to trample or destroy their crops. This is especially true if your buck expires in the field. Find a way to minimize crop damage and traces of carcass when taking photos and processing them. Do not drag the animal out whole, this generally leaves a big swath of downed crop and likely annoying the landowner.
I personally think a bowhunter can have great success in standing ag fields. Work on your technique and skills...and most definitely have a Heads Up Decoy to help you.
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