Now, fast rewind back to the beginning of your hunt.  You now stick a collapsible Montana Decoy, or two, into your backpack and away you go.  Slipping into your stand site the decoys open easily.  Quickly place them into the ground with the easy bungee corded stakes and you are into your stand in no time.  

On a recent hunt this scenario took place.  I had to traverse a couple fences as well as slipping through overhanging limbs to get to my stand.  I was able to unfold and erect two Montana decoys and quickly as well as quietly move into my treestand.  

As I was settling in I quickly glanced behind me to see a large buck about 150 yards away skirting the field edge I had just came through.  I doubt I would have seen him carrying a full-bodied decoy.  I quickly got a set of rattling antlers out and got his attention.  He came back in to within 60 yards of my stand but brush and a few thickets kept him from seeing the decoys.  He was a mid 130's inch deer that I had no intention of shooting but I would of loved to seen his reaction if he had seen the decoys.  It probably would have played out similar to the small eight point who gave me several shooting opportunities while closely observing both decoys later that evening.  

When using two decoys you never know what is going to happen.  I had a large doe focusing intently on the Whitetail brand Montana Decoy.  She was approaching from behind a large tree and didn?t notice the Whitetail II brand Montana Decoy just on the other side of the tree.  As she rounded the tree the Whitetail II decoy suddenly came into view and she basically turned inside out when she finally realized it was there.  My laugh caused her to vacate the area in a hurry.

Montana Decoys are the closest to life-like that you can use.  First Jerry McPherson, the creator, uses a very durable polyester fabric.  The outer surface of the lightweight material has a detailed photo image of a doe printed on each side.  

So lightweight that with the stakes included the entire decoy weighs in at approximately two pounds.  The interior of the fabric shell has a spring steel band, which easily pops the folded decoy into shape.  

When the decoys are folded, the 2" thick by 16" diameter package are very easy to transport.  I can place two in my backpack with a set of rattling horns.  Also within the inside of the fabric are tightly woven channels.  These channels direct the support ?bungee-style? fiberglass tent poles into place with ease.  The bungee cord within each pole makes for easy assembly.  Just let them fall open and the quickly snap them into place. Once in place, just secure the decoy into the ground with the step stake located on the bottom of each pole. 

The Montana Decoys whitetail models come in two poses.  

Whitetail Decoy and Whitetail Decoy II

The Whitetail decoy has a slightly quartering away broadside image of a doe where the Whitetail II decoy has a more of a rear view image.  No matter which side you view the same photo is present.  

I like this idea because I set either decoy directly out in front of me about 15 to 20 yards facing left and right.  That way a buck coming in will offer me a broadside shot because he usually approaches the decoy from the rear.  For a two decoy setup I set the decoys out slightly off to my left and right about 25 feet apart, one 15 and the other about 20 yards out. 

When finished with a hunt the decoys are even easier to put away.  Just pull up the stakes and remove them from the body.  Unfold them by pulling them apart and fold them over.  The bungee cords make it so everything stays in one piece.  

Next take the decoy and twist from the outside edges to release the interior steel band.  Everything folds back to its original 2? thick by 16? diameter package.  An optional decoy carrier holds everything together for easy transport.  Or just stuff them into your backpack like I do.

Now like any artificial attractant I find that some setups will sometimes spook a deer.  That is why I recommend more than one.  To add realism you might also try a medium length of lightweight cloth attached to the tail area.  This is especially helpful when a slight breeze is present.

Design 4 of 5
The lifelike photo image imprinted on each side give the decoy a life like appearance.  Its quality stands out being printed on the durable polyester material.  I have used the decoys in a rainstorm and they air dry rather quickly, which is a good quality of the polyester.  The thin side view of the decoy is the only tradeoff.   Deer approaching from the side will not see or notice the decoy right away.  However this approach is what makes the decoy lightweight and easily portable, hence the tradeoff.  

Price 4 of 5
A hunter can purchase either of the decoys for fewer than 100 dollars.  Both decoys are of great value and about 1/3 less than their full size and bulky counterparts.  I highly recommend them, especially when hunting those hard to reach hotspot areas.  

Conclusion
I believe you cannot go wrong with any decoy from Montana Decoy Inc.  These decoys give you that extra bonus when trying to entice that trophy in those last couple yards.  When using in conjunction with vocal calls, such as a grunt or bleat, the decoy will give you the visual advantage or persuasion you need.  I have had better than average success with these decoys and I am midway through the hunting season.  Be sure to check back for updates throughout the season.  

Cause if I connect on the 160 plus monster I am pursuing, Bowhunting.net will be the first to know!  And for the turkey hunter, check out the mating turkey decoy from Montana Decoy.

For information on these and other products contact:

MONTANA DECOY
PO Box 2377
Colstrip, Montana 59323 
(406)-748-3092 
Email: jmcpherson@tgrsolution.net
on the web: www.montanadecoy.com