First Date with Daisy

At Eye Level contributor Darren Padilla

  Santa Fe, NM

A few years ago, my son and I were on a late season mule deer archery hunt in southern New Mexico when we realized the potential of using a decoy to attract bucks during the rut.  The rut was in full swing and we were having a blast stalking bucks who were busy trying to keep tabs on the does.  One morning, we spotted a big mature 10-pt buck tending a few does across a large wash.  A smaller 10-pt buck was hanging around trying to steal a chance at a doe, when he began staring at us.  Now, we were just hiding behind some creosote bushes glassing them, but he spotted us and came trotting over from 300 yards away.  Amazingly, he must have mistaken us for deer in the bushes.  The buck came to within 30 yards of us.  We never did get that buck, but the idea dawned on us that we needed to try a decoy!  We agreed that we needed something light to carry and it had to have BIG mule deer sized ears.

After that hunt, I researched the decoys on the market and over the next couple of seasons, but nothing seemed to be what we were looking for.  Then, I came across the Heads Up - Mule Deer Doe decoy.  It was just what I was looking for and I just had to get one for our upcoming hunt.  Heck, the price was right as well.  I placed my order the month before our hunt and chose to get the bow mount along with my decoy.  I borrowed an old stabilizer from a buddy and installed the bow mount on my Hoyt Spyder 30.

Opening day on January 1st, 2014 was going to be the test.  We soon spotted a nice shooter buck chasing a small herd of does.  I got the nod and went after them with the decoy in one hand and my bow in the other.  When I got to within a couple of hundred yards, I started stalking with the decoy up and facing the direction of the deer.  I came around a bush and had a doe bust me at about 60 yards.  I just froze and held the decoy up in front of me.  After about 20 seconds, she wagged her tail and continued feeding from right to left.  Wow!!!  The stalk would have been over right then and there if I hadn't been for my Heads Up Decoy!  Although I never did get a shot on that stalk, it was the decoy’s first test and it won me over…Hands down.  During the hunt, my hunting partner and I both used the decoy with good results.  We were able to get much closer to the deer with the decoy.  On another memorable stalk, we spotted a huge fork antlered buck tending a doe from about a mile away.  This time it was my buddy’s turn to try the decoy.  He’s a big guy about 6’ 3” and is he’s a traditional archer.  Mule deer hunting in open desert with a recurve?  Are you kidding me?  Well, using that decoy, he easily got to within 100 yards of the buck and doe with very little cover while they kept a watchful eye on him.  A young spike was with the buck and doe and decided to come visit the decoy and my partner.  He walked to within 15 yards before he winded my partner and took off.  That didn’t phase the buck and doe!  He watched them feed and romance closer and closer to him.  The deer were so calm with him and the decoy in plain sight that he even witnessed the buck mount the doe right there in front of him at 40 yards!  Wowzers!!!  Eventually, they winded him too and it was over. That clinched it for my buddy…he was a believer now.

The weather was extremely windy during our hunt, so I didn't get a chance to use my bow mount very much.  It’s not something to use in windy weather because it’s like bolting a kite to your bow.  Here’s a good tip for windy conditions.  Because it was so windy, I had to figure out how to carry it without it catching in the wind and flopping around.  Since I use a belt mounted bow hook to carry/hold my bow while I hunt,  just slid the decoy in the bow hook on top of the bow handle and against my body and was able to carry the decoy in place along with my bow in the high wind.  The handle was positioned to the front so I could grip the decoy handle and the bow with one hand as I walked.

In summary, the Heads Up - Mule Deer decoy more than met my expectations and it will be going on all my future mule deer archery hunts.  What I learned, is that when you hold the decoy up between you and the deer…where the deer can see it more than you, the deer focus on the decoy even though you are there too.  If you get busted, just keep the decoy up and the deer will calm down and go back to what they were doing.  I guess they think you’re a funny shaped deer, or just another herbivore.  The decoy even helped me sneak among cattle without causing a stampede!  I hate when cattle stampede and blow out a good buck when I’m on a stalk.  The decoy worked so well, we decided it needed a name.  I named her “Daisy”.  This is a highly effective decoy that is perfect for spot and stalk, or still hunting methods.

Darren Padilla - Santa Fe, NM

What is "AT EYE LEVEL"

What is "AT EYE LEVEL"? AT EYE LEVEL is a more formal means for our customers, partners, and friends to share their experiences with Heads Up Decoy. If you have a success story with pictures to share on this blog...we have a space for you. If you have quality video of an animal reacting positively to our decoy...we may use it. If you have a full blown video of a hunt with a story line and would like to produce it...we may use it as part of our "AT EYE LEVEL" experience.

We've always assumed that feedback would come in...and it has... but in reality...life happens and time passes along with the desire to email or call to share those moments. We see results most often through forums with customers that have used Heads Up Decoy with great results but haven't necessarily notified us, but are more than willing to step up and support us...THAT'S GREAT!

As a small company in a "watered-down" industry, we rely on the sense of connection with our customers, friends, and partners to help us spread the word and to share some of the experiences that are unique ONLY to Heads Up Decoy as well as those that are more conventional. Through customer and partner contributed blog entries, photos, and video we believe that we will provide a sense of connection with our company. For example, a gentleman sent me this photo late last year...and we used it in our first EVER Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal ad.

In our 2014 Video Trailer introducing our AT EYE LEVEL experience, much of that video was submitted by customers, friends, and industry partners. And it's good stuff! You can be a part of that.

If you are willing to share your story, photo, and or video, simply contact us at info@headsupdecoy.com and type in the subject line AT EYE LEVEL. Let us know what you have and if we use your material we will send you various Heads Up Decoy prize packs.

We will review the material with you and go over the disclaimers in personal conversations.

We appreciate your support and we look forward to a great 2014.

Two for Two

by Carl Woody

A Mule Deer tag is hard to come by if you’re a non-resident wanting to hunt the Plains of Kansas. While I’m not superstitious, I was fortunate enough in 2011 to draw a Archery Mule Deer tag. This was the first time I would have an opportunity to hunt the beautiful animal. I had dreamed of hunting a mule deer for years with my bow. It was finally going to happen. As far as a mule deer destination, Kansas probably isn’t even a thought for most people. But in 2009, that was my first time too hunt Kansas and I was their bow hunting whitetails. While I did manage to take my best whitetail to date I kept seeing mule deer and that got me eager to hunt them.

Now 2011, I had my Archery Mule Deer tag and on Halloween I traveled to Kansas. Arriving mid afternoon I scouted that evening and saw some nice bucks. The next morning I was perched on a hill glassing the area.  I found a nice buck and made a stalk up a CRP drainage. I had bought a mule deer doe decoy from Heads Up Decoys and I used it on my approach. As I made my way under a fence and up the drainage I eased the HUD mule deer doe decoy up in front of me. A moment later I noticed the buck looking my direction.  He saw the decoy and headed right in my direction immediately. I stuck the decoy in the grass in front of me and got ready. Within seconds he covered 100 yards. He got to 30 yards and I eased my bow back. He was so focused on the decoy he never flinched and kept coming. At 20 yards the shot happened with the arrow blowing through the front shoulders. He turned and ran over a little rise and out of sight. I ran 50 yards and looked over the rise and he was going down 40 yards from me. I watched for a moment realizing what I had just done. Actually what the HUD mule deer doe had just did for me. I looked back over my shoulder at the HUD decoy sitting up in the grass and smiled. Then turned back toward my buck and thanked God for the opportunity and for making me a bow hunter.   My first mule deer…I was hooked on bow hunting mule deer.

Going into 2012 I opted not to put in for a tag with other obligations to take care of that fall. Then came 2013 and I was going to put in for a mule deer tag. With the tag’s so hard to draw I thought there’s no way I would be fortunate enough to get another mule deer tag. When the draw results came out I was going back to Kansas with my second mule deer tag. I was ready for another opportunity at a nice buck.

With two hunting trips in 2009 and 2011 under my belt and a scouting trip in late August 2013 I was set for the first of November for my hunt. I wasn’t going to just settle for a buck, I wanted a true trophy, a 170 of better! With all the prep of my gear, practicing countless hours shooting my bow the time was here. I arrived Halloween evening and with the wind howling from the northwest at 35 plus (welcome to Kansas) I opted to glass from the truck that afternoon. I glassed a cut corn field from a distance and saw lots of deer with two bucks worth a closer look the following morning.

The first morning found me several hundred yards from the cut corn. As day light slowly started to come to life I could make out mule deer and over the next  few hours I watched as the deer moved in and out of the field and bedding in the adjacent draws. While I did see the two bucks from the night before they weren’t what I was looking for on this trip. At mid morning I met up with my uncle. He had been scouting other places and we compared our buck sightings of the mourning. It was clear he had seen a deer I wanted to get on.

I made a plan for the afternoon and at 2pm I was dropped off at my destination. As I got my stuff ready I couldn’t help but notice the wind was ridiculously high. I’m talking guest to 45 maybe more! I thought man if I get a shot it’s going to have to be top pin range in order to make a ethical shot with the wind like this. As I started to head west in the pasture I knew where I wanted to be.

There was a deep draw about ¼ mile from me that ran north and south, to the south about a mile was a cut corn field and I knew the deer would be headed to that field to feed that evening. As I moved closer to the draw I saw a vantage point that I wanted to glass from. I started to crest over the hill when I suddenly saw the rear end of a mule deer doe standing at the bottom of the draw. I instantly dropped to the ground. I glassed the area and there were four does and a true trophy mule deer in the mix. The first thing that got my attention was the deep rear forks  on the right side.  As soon as I saw that I thought there’s my boy. From there I was probably 200 yards from the group. It’s a miracle they hadn’t spotted me! But with the wind and my camo leafy suite they probably both saved me.

I watched the buck for several minutes and it was obvious they weren’t going anywhere. There was a deep cut that fed down off the hill into the draw about 100 yards to my right and they were standing at the mouth of the cut in the draw. I back tracked out of sight and moved down the cut towards the group. I noticed a dog leg in the cut so I made my way to that point. I peaked over some yuccas and there they were about 100 yards. The bucks rack was breath taking and I knew I was going to do all I could to get a shot at him. The problem was I couldn’t get any closer from here because of open space. I watched him for over an hour though my 10x binoculars. He had mass that was top notch and extra points that made me drool! As the afternoon got shorter the does began to slowly move south to that corn field. I thought I’ve got to get ahead of them in the draw and hopefully ambush him. I back tracked up the hill and ran 500 yards to the south to another cut that ran down into the draw. I stopped at the top and got down behind some yuccas to collect my thoughts. I couldn’t see the deer yet and was waiting for them to appear any second but they didn’t. I said to myself, I need to get down this cut right in the edge of the draw to have a chance.

I started working my way down slowly with the HUD mule deer doe up in front of me.  I kept thinking that any second they are going to walk out but they didn’t.  I moved on and finally got into position.  I peaked over the edge and could see 80 yards or so and no deer. Perfect I thought, I got some tumble weeds and put them in front of me for a little cover and had some yuccas behind me…this was perfect. I sat there and realized the wind had died some and that the draw was a wind brake which was great because that meant I could shoot across the draw if needed. 

I ranged some land marks to make sure everything was ready. I looked back up the draw and saw the does headed my way. I got ready. The does fed by and I ranged them, 31 yards, 34, 35 and 38 yards. They never looked my way and kept on south toward the corn. I kept waiting for the buck. I slowly looked up the draw, no buck yet. I eased up and crawled back behind me with my HUD mule deer doe decoy  and stuck her in the ground so he could see her when he got about 50 yards. I hurried back to my position.  It was about 5 minutes and he appeared headed my way. He was walking and feeding down the middle of the draw right on the same path as the does.  As he came down the draw he made his way to the far side of the draw. I bleated and he stopped and looked straight at the mule deer doe decoy. With his attention focused on the decoy I eased my bow to full draw. He never knew I was there. At 47 yards I settled my 50 yard pin and the shot happened, the arrow flew true and the buck went down in sight. I sat there for a few minutes thanking God for making me a bow hunter and the opportunity to see a buck of this caliber and to have made an ethical shot. As I walked up on this deer I noticed more mass and character than I had earlier that afternoon. I had truly out done my 2011 mulie buck. That’s what I had hoped for. I had succeeded on two archery mule deer hunts in Kansas and I pay a lot of that success to the HUD mule doe decoy.  Mr. Roe is making an awesome product for us bow hunters. If you’re going to spot and stalk mule deer you’d be crazy not to have this decoy with you at all times. It can and will make your hunt more successful period.  Like Mr. Roe says, Be Mobile… Stay Mobile! Thanks for offering a superior product for us bow hunters!!  Keep up the great work!!

My buck 2nd buck gross scored 172 5/8 inches and netted 166 2/8.  

Welcome Distraction

Welcome Distractions

Matt Dorram

Bow hunting elk has always been my passion. The close encounters with wild rutting bulls and the adrenaline rush that follows is not easily replaced by any other activity on earth. Once in a while, another hunting opportunity comes along to distract my attention away from elk, even if only for a brief period.

I hadn’t ever hunted big game with my friend, Doug. In fact, we hadn’t seen each other much at all since our school-age days of hunting waterfowl together as often as humanly possible. We re-connected through social media and decided to hunt elk in an area we had both considered for many years, but never actually visited. My primary objective was to help Doug kill a big bull with his stick bow. I knew the area well enough to know that big bulls were killed every year; perseverance was going to be the key to our success.



After a brutally early wake-up, we drove through the hours that nearly all sane-minded people slept and arrived at our “trailhead” just before dawn. It was early September and the weather was perfect for the long hike ahead. Our plan was to make camp about 4 miles deep and explore our new surroundings in search of elk—and maybe a bear. Over the next couple days, we hiked, glassed, and found very little fresh sign of elk. We did manage to locate a decent bull and his small harem on the second evening just above our camp. After 30 minutes of calls back-and-forth, the wind completed its predictable downhill swap and the game was over.

Day three began without a single bugle. I was beginning to think that there weren’t many elk in our particular basin. We hiked farther up the drainage; a direction we hadn’t yet explored. As we progressed, faint bugles could be heard in the distance. The topography of the land made it very difficult to decipher exactly where the sounds were coming from. A small bull responded to our pleading cow calls and moved in quickly for a closer look. Doug elected to pass on the bull, still confident we would find some of his big brothers and cousins.

The once-distant bugles became much closer until it was clear that elk were rapidly moving our direction over the adjacent ridge. We quickly crossed the valley floor and began to climb the opposite mountain in pursuit of our newly-arrived quarry. We worked several great setups in customary caller-shooter style. Doug needed only inches or steps on several nice bulls for shot opportunities to emerge. During the action, one particular bull was ripping deep and distinctive bugles every couple minutes as he worked across the other side of a nasty slot canyon. After some discussion and reluctance, Doug launched himself down the precarious slope hoping to get across and ahead of the bull as it moved. My calls slowed the bull somewhat, but he was determined toward a location which would become his bedding area for the day. The nasty combination of steep terrain and almost impenetrable jungle of scrub oak and thorny brush prevented Doug from continuing his advance. Doug was able to see the bull at one point; he was massive. The giant’s frequent bugles were now stationary indicating he had found his bed. Doug returned to my side of the slot and we made a plan to climb around and above, hoping to find a better avenue and favorable upslope midday wind.

After a climb in the growing heat, Doug and I found an excellent perch among some cliffs where we could glass the slope below. The big bull was mostly quiet now, only an occasional bugle which let us know he was still in the thick tangle. As we glassed the terrain and pondered a new strategy, a large oak tree began to sway back-and-forth. I immediately thought we found the bull’s exact spot by him rubbing a tree. This hope was quickly replaced by another reality—a bear was in the oak tree gorging itself on the abundant acorns. This was an elk hunt until now. Enter the welcome distraction.

I had been searching for an opportunity on another bear for some years. After spotting the first bear, two others were located the same way. We watched these bears for about twenty minutes trying to decide which to pursue. We hoped we could kill one without disrupting the resting bull only a couple hundred yards farther down the hill. We picked some landmarks along our stalk route and began our descent into the bear infested scrub.

We advanced along our predetermined route and came to our final landmark. Doug was armed with the video camera; I was armed with my new Xpedition Archery killing machine. As anticipated, I moved slowly around a final tree to find the big bear its original location. With film rolling, my first arrow sailed harmlessly under the bear’s chest (most guys would have probably used a rangefinder in this situation. I’m a knucklehead sometimes). The clatter of the arrow through the trees below caused the bear to ignore the task of eating and look around for the cause of the commotion. My second arrow found its mark and the bear instantly fell out of sight into a tangle of oak brush. As with many of my attempted video kills, the entire sequence wasn’t captured on camera; Doug was busy watching the action and filming the ground at his feet (easy to be distracted after stalking to within 30 yards of a bear!). We sat for an hour, uncertain of the exact location of the hit. Neither of us relished the thought of tracking a wounded bear through this thick, tangled mess. Our bull sounded-off a few times to let us know he was still there, almost taunting us in the process.

As we cautiously approached the last know location of the bear, growls, snapping, and thrashing erupted from the trees 5 yards to our left; it seemed that our wounded bear scenario was about to begin. Doug and I looked at each other, knowing what lie ahead as we mentally prepared for the worst. As I stepped to my right to find a place to sit and gather my thoughts, dark fur was visible on the opposite side of a boulder. My bear was dead only feet from the point it was impaled by the arrow. It was lying still and had obviously been that way since just seconds after the hit. The other bear that growled at us must have been approaching with cannibalistic intentions.

We skinned the bear, snapped a few photos, and bagged all the meat. It was still early afternoon when we finished the task and our big bull was still only a short distance downhill. We made a half-measured stalk attempt on the bull, setting up to call once. The terrain and vegetation was just too thick for a stalk on the resting bull. Although the big bull never came to investigate, a nice satellite bull was quite interested in the seductive cow calls I delivered. This bull managed to get around Doug and to within 5 yards of me—twice! After another missed shot opportunity for Doug that day, we decided to get busy packing meat. Certainly, these elk and the big bull with them would be nearby in the morning, right?

Most hunting stories contain great lessons learned. This is where our lesson enters the story. Never willingly walk away from a great bull hoping to find him the next day. I knew this already, but even seasoned hunters make mistakes. We never found that bull again, and our valley was once again quiet without his presence. To my friend, Doug: Thanks for allowing me the welcome distraction and your help with the nasty pack-out. I’m sorry we left that bull, let’s get him this year!

In The Thick of It

Going back to the fall of 2012, I'd say I have been in a little bit of a bowhunting funk. The 2013 spring turkey season was the lowest. The weather did not seem to cooperate and I found myself pressing. There was some good moments during the turkey season, but selfishly, most of my memories revolve around my own missed chances.

On Friday April 11, 2014, I had the pleasure of hunting with my 6 year old boy. I was so proud of his effort, focus, and desire to hunt turkeys. We hunted outside of a traditional blind setting. I had a great time...sure I had a couple of impatient dad moments :-). Kaleb had a few moments when he protested the pace and few times that he expressed his opinion that I should shoot even though the birds were 150 yards out because an arrow can go a long way...it was a great and memorable experience. We saw a ton of turkeys too. That helps.

This past weekend, it was good to relive the days when the turkey decoy was almost 100% effective with multiple shot opportunities and close encounters. There are days when everything goes right and on Saturday, things worked...but it took some work and patience. Myself and prostaffer David Gillan were able to get into birds at will. We took advantage of a great, but hot, spring day...and the turkeys cooperated.

Most of the birds were on the adjacent property. What we did was back off the property line and laid down sequences of hen calls. Once the birds crossed the property line, they were able to see the decoy mounted to the bow. In my opinion, it's good ethics to give a buffer to a property line any time, but it's also important when decoying turkeys with a Heads Up Decoy. If you crowd a fenced property line, the birds WILL hang up for sure strutting on the opposite side fence leaving you in misery. If you back off 80+ yards the birds will go under the fence and come charging or strutting into bow range. It was a great day and it was good to be relaxed and in the middle of the action.

Here are some images of the the spring thus far...Pic heavy.

Loud Mouth Hen from Heads Up Decoy on Vimeo.

Heads Up Decoy Turkey Charge....short video from Heads Up Decoy on Vimeo.

IT'S GAME TIME!

It’s Game Time!

   Many may have been watching football this day. To me..."It's Game Time!" means so much more!

   The buck looked back at his worthy adversary and gave out a loud snort-wheeze as he postured up and was ready for a fight. Little did this buck know he was no match for the foam antlers and clothe makeup of his opponent!

Each and every November we as deer hunters get pumped up for the rut and all the action that is about to take place when we enter the fields and woods. Our bows are tuned, broadheads are sharp, optic lenses are clean of spots, and boots are laced; all in anticipation to tighten that string and loosen an arrow at a deer of our choosing. All the preparation and sleepless nights come down to that one experience that brings you one with nature. It requires you to outsmart that critter on their turf and you need all the tools possible to help turn the tables.

It was November 24, 2013 as I slipped through the chilly darkness and onto a ridge that bucks use to cruise about in search of their next date. The sun began to do work as the sky lightened with the winter beauty that we as hunters know. The air was crisp and clean. The ground was hard and crunchy. My fingers and toes could feel Jack Frost’s efforts trying to take his toll. But I, I was ready and knew the bucks were still active as the rut was winding down. My Heads Up Decoy whitetail buck was in my pack awaiting its’ deployment. I just needed a worthy adversary to pit my wits against.

After moving about slowly on that ridge and not seeing the bucks I was looking for I decided to work my way into unchartered territory. This was my first time reaching this area and after 4 miles I was considering the validity of my location. The sun was now up and it was a blue bird day. Squirrels scampered about reluctantly as if looking for the last of their preparation for the cold winter and future snow storms. They didn’t seem to care much about me but wanted to stock up their supplies for their winter retreat.

It was warming up fast and I contemplated making my way back towards the truck when I decided to push on just a bit farther to see what was ahead. Up to this point I hadn’t seen the deer I normally do. I spotted a pretty good clearing ahead and quickly noticed a doe in the middle, alone and feeding. I watched her and spied around to see if there may be a buck nearby. She fed on and into the timber as I crept forward.

Just like a ghost emerging from the darkness; a doe erupted from the timber and ran into the meadow about 200 yards away. Something had to be pestering her. Just then a nice buck emerged with his nose pressed to the ground. He was a dandy 5 point for this area and very conducive for a closer look!

Nothing separated us but the clean air and frosty open meadow. He began to push that doe up a small hill across the meadow as I moved along the edge of the timber only when they were not looking my way. I contemplated pulling my HUD out and fixing it on my bow but decided to get closer before doing so. The doe finally moved over the hill and the buck stopped to rub a tree allowing me to close the gap a bit more. Just before he went over the hill he looked back to see if anybody may come into his bedroom it seems. I remember seeing his antler tips disappear as he went over the hill and then it was game time!

I was within 100 yards now as I quickly put boots to ground and crossed the meadow. Upon reaching the bottom of the hill I removed my pack and pulled out my whitetail buck decoy and fixed it to my bow. The foam antlers were positioned and I was ready within 30 seconds. I worked my way up the hill and just before cresting the top I removed an arrow from the quiver and snapped the nock onto the string. I was inching forward where the doe had crossed trying to make it appear that another buck was on her trail. I spotted her just ahead looking back at me. She was concerned but not spooked. She was probably thinking, “Great, I have to deal with another hormone intoxicated buck…..what gives?” But regardless I kept pushing forward with no sign of the buck.

I stopped and let out a grunt hoping this would make the buck appear but nothing happened. The doe was standing 40 yards away in the bottom of the small draw. The buck was nowhere to be seen. Just then another doe came running into the draw as if she was being pushed by a buck and not far behind her the buck stepped out below me at 35 yards with his head to the ground. He had no idea I was there and he quickly took up pursuit of the doe heading up the opposite side of the draw. I ranged him as he walked up the hill…..41, 43, 45 and I grunted stopping him at 47 yards as he turned broadside and looked back at me.

As soon as he seen the decoy he postured up, pinned his ears back and let out a magnificent snort-wheeze. He was ready for a fight and I am sure he would have came right into my lap if I wanted to let him. He was ready to close the distance but I opted to take my shot then. I lowered my range finder. My release hooked my d-loop and the string tightened as my muscles worked together to bring the bow back to full draw. I completely forgot about the decoy as I split my 40 and 50 yard pin and held low behind his shoulder. He was mad there was another buck close to his girl. As soon as he moved his near side shoulder ahead my release spit out the loop and the energy of the limbs projected my arrow forth. I couldn’t have placed that arrow in a more perfect spot! The sound of the broadhead making contact is a sound I crave and can never forget!

The buck make a quick sprint up the opposite hill away from me as I could see blood pumping out of both sides. He wouldn’t be going far after he went out of sight. I picked up my crimson red colored arrow and another smile and warm feeling came over me. I couldn’t help but stare at it for a bit with a huge grin. Weight was lifted off my shoulders as I knew I was punching another tag today.

70 yards from where that buck was standing had me admiring a truly handsome specimen. I knelt down in front of the buck taking his antlers in my hands, feeling his soft coat and praising the Lord and the powers that be for allowing me another amazing experience. The meat of this buck will bring many good meals my family’s way!  

I headed back to gather up my belongings and put my pack back together and prepare for the pack out. I rested my bow with the decoy still attached up against a tree and was replaying the events in my mind when I heard a buck grunt. I looked up and noticed a young buck following the does scent right to where I stood. As soon as he saw the decoy he froze in his tracks and became aggressive but knew the buck looked bigger. He circled my position as I was able to get away with the movement of taking my camera out of my pack. At 15 yards I know he could see me moving but the decoy had his mind locked that I was another buck. Amazing what these decoys can do!

Without the Heads Up Decoy on this hunt I don’t think I would have gotten a shot at that buck. The decoy kept that doe at bay allowing me to slip into range on the buck. Without the decoy they would have taken off leaving me pondering the what ifs and should haves. I have had numerous experiences using various HUD’s and each time they have helped me in my quest for putting meat in my freezer.

After caping and deboning the buck I had a 4.5 mile pack out and with each step of the way I had a smile on my face! Another day of going in light and coming out heavy! I love this game! God is Great!

Short and Sweet

by Nathan Sullivan

Short and sweet…that pretty much sums up my Mule Deer hunt this year. As any Mule Deer fanatic can attest to, it’s not often that you are able to put your tag on a buck on the very first stalk of the year. But, as I have learned the last couple of years while using Heads Up Decoys and hearing stories from others who have also, opportunities can be created when conditions are less than ideal.

This hunt began at first light checking some areas that have held big bucks in the past. We were hoping to turn up one of the shooter bucks that my hunting buddy Justin had recently found. Shortly after sunrise we spotted a small buck running a doe about a mile away and drove around on another road to get a better look and to see if any other deer were nearby. While glassing the smaller buck and doe from a closer vantage point we looked up just as a big buck was coming over the hill. It was immediately obvious that this buck was a shooter as he headed down the hill looking for a hot doe.  By now we realized we had come a little too close to the action as the small buck was now pushing the doe within 200 yards of us and we could not get in a better position to make a move on the shooter buck that was now closing fast. As luck would have it, the doe wasn’t hot and the young buck quickly lost interest and they parted ways. As the big buck dropped into the draw he watched the smaller buck leaving and heading down the valley just below our position.

The stage was now set for deployment of the Mule Deer doe decoy. When the big buck briefly disappeared in some thick weeds I quickly popped the decoy into the bow mount and used what little cover was available to crawl down the hillside to get to the bottom of the draw. When I reached the bottom I quickly realized that the weeds were much taller than I had anticipated and was worried that I would not be able to get a shot even if the buck did come within bow range. At this point I had nothing to lose and held the doe decoy up high enough for the buck to see it above the weeds. By the time I realized the buck had spotted the decoy and was coming my way he had already closed the gap by fifty yards. The next 20-30 seconds were some of the most exciting moments of my 20-plus year bowhunting career. I knew he would have to be close to get a shot in the tall weeds but I had one open lane out to about 15 yards if he would only choose the right path.

As what usually happens he was not going to come through the opening and was staying in the thickest cover as evidenced by his towering rack pushing through the five foot tall weeds. By now I was well aware that things were about to get very intense as he was closing fast and his current heading would have him stepping into the open at a mere 4 steps. Not wanting to get pinned down at full draw without a shot, I waited as long as I thought I could to draw my bow. Finally, with the bruiser buck at less than 10 yards, I knew I had to make my move. As he went behind an especially thick clump of vegetation I knew it was now or never and quickly came to full draw. As a testament to the keen senses of a mature buck, even when fully convinced that there is a doe to check out, the buck caught just enough movement to momentarily spook him. As he bounded out of the weed patch I stood up and grunted loudly with my mouth to stop him. He still wasn’t sure what he had seen and only trotted a short distance before stopping to look back and try to locate the doe that he thought was there. By this time my pin was already settling on his vitals. I immediately knew the 35 yard shot was perfect on the slightly quartering-away buck and that he would not go far. In fact, he only made it about 40 yards before tipping over in plain sight. Justin was able to see the shot from his vantage point and we both were almost in shock at what had just happened. We estimated it had only been about 6-8 minutes since we first spotted the buck coming over the hill and now we were standing over him admiring his huge back forks, heavy mass and long main beams.

This was a perfect scenario to use the doe decoy—the target buck was alone and looking for does and he watched the young buck heading in my direction and wasn’t about to let him potentially steal a hot doe. It was also a case where we would not have attempted a stalk on this buck in his present location without the decoy. There was very little wind that morning to cover sound and movement and we already were too close to back out and wait for the buck to present a better opportunity. But instead of watching the buck and wandering how we could attempt a stalk, we were able to make the buck come to us.

As bowhunters we have to enjoy every part of a long season full of close calls and what-ifs, but every once in a while it’s nice to have a hunt that is short and sweet. I owe all the credit for this hunt to a great friend who was willing to let me try my crazy plan and to Heads Up Decoy.