Decoys

Advantages and Disadvantages

 

 

A decoy is a great thing to have while out calling. I recommend decoys for any type of hunting. Predators and especially coyotes are sight driven. Once a coyote or bobcat sees the decoy they dont take their eyes off of it. A decoy can be a great tool to bring coyotes in closer. I think the decoy also helps keep the coyote around for a longer period of time. Once they see the decoy, they may be less concerned at winding you and getting your scent which can help prevent getting busted. You can bet that not everyone out predator hunting is using a decoy so it could be just what is needed to bring in the coyotes that are holding up out there.

When hand calling it puts the sound and attention off the caller. The great part about the decoy is it takes eyes off of the caller. If you're using an electronic caller set up the decoy close to the caller. I like to put it about 10 yards away so I don't take a chance on shooting my electronic caller with the shotgun bbs. If I am hand calling I just make sure the decoy is out in front of me, 10 to 30 yards.

Some disadvantages of a decoy is that coyotes will see the decoy and charge in so hard and come in so quick that you may not be fast enough for the shot. One time I was calling and had the decoy in front of me, I was scaning from left to right slowly awaiting anything to come in. I looked to the left and before I could turn my head back to the right the coyote was right in front of me and had bit my decoy. It picked up on the scent and by the time I got my gun up it was already running at full speed away from me and was out of my sight.

 

It really just depends on the coyote coming in, every critter comes in to the call differently. That's what makes hunting them so addicting because you never know what will happen and every stand is different. The picture below the page, the dog came into 15 yards. I had my hand gun on my lap and tried slowly bringing my pistol up for the shot and the coyote saw movement it didn't like. It ran off and I was able to call and stop it at 100 yards for a shot with the 22-250. The great thing about the decoy is it can keep the dog in the area longer just as long as the coyote doesn't bite your decoy, catch your scent and run off, lol!