Regulations vary by state and may change from year to year.

Hunters are responsible for reviewing the current hunting regulations in the state and unit where they plan to hunt. Before using any decoy, always consult your state's wildlife agency regulations. description

No.

Although Gila Elk Bait™ includes the word "bait" in the company name, the Caddis Cow™ is not bait in the traditional sense.

The term "bait" commonly refers to placing food, minerals, salt, grain, or other attractants to lure wildlife. In many states, including New Mexico, baiting elk is prohibited by hunting regulations.

The Caddis Cow™ uses no food, scent, minerals, or consumable attractants. Instead, it serves as a visual decoy designed to provide the visual confirmation a bull elk often seeks when responding to natural elk sounds.

Our philosophy is simple: successful elk hunting comes from understanding elk behavior, reading the landscape, calling effectively, and making ethical decisions in the field. The Caddis Cow™ is simply a tool that helps complete the picture.

Hunters are always responsible for knowing and following the regulations of the state and unit where they hunt.

Elk rely heavily on three senses to verify what they are experiencing. Hunters often refer to these as the "Three S's":

• Sound (Audio)

• Scent (Olfactory)

• Sight (Visual)

In industrial hygiene, a similar concept is known as AVO — Audio, Visual, and Olfactory observations.

Many bulls respond readily to calls, but often hesitate or "hang up" when they cannot visually confirm what they are hearing. The Caddis Cow™ helps provide that missing visual confirmation by giving the bull something believable to see.

Our goal is simple: help complete the picture.

And if that visual confirmation convinces a hesitant bull to take those last few steps? Well, that's why we like to say the Caddis Cow™ is "The Cure for a Hang-Up." Ha ha.

Great question. A real cow elk’s rump is typically more cream-colored than pure white. The Caddis Cow™ uses a brighter rear panel to create stronger visual contrast and help catch a bull’s attention more quickly.

Elk do not see color the same way humans do, so the goal is not to perfectly match every shade of a live elk. The goal is to provide enough believable visual confirmation when a bull approaches the sounds of another elk.

Remember, the Caddis Cow™ is designed to help with the third “S” of elk communication — Sight.

In other words, it is designed to be noticed, not judged in a beauty contest. 😉

The complete Caddis Cow™ weighs approximately 10 ounces (284 grams), making it easy to carry during all-day hunts or multi-day backcountry trips.

When packed, the decoy rolls into a compact bundle approximately:

• 8 inches long × 3.5 inches diameter

• 20.3 cm long × 9 cm diameter

It easily fits inside or attaches to most hunting packs.

Absolutely.

The Caddis Cow™ was designed to work exceptionally well with a caller. The caller can remain behind the shooter while the decoy provides the visual confirmation many bulls seek before committing.

This setup helps focus a bull's attention on the decoy rather than the hunter.

Yes.

The Caddis Cow™ is designed for use while hunting alone. Position the decoy where an approaching bull is likely to expect visual confirmation of the cow sounds he hears.

When hunting solo, place the decoy 20–50 yards (18–46 m) from their position depending on terrain and visibility.

Most hunters can unfurl the Caddis Cow™ and insert the trekking pole or support stick in less than 30 seconds.

When hunting alone, positioning the decoy on a bush or branch typically requires a plastic spring clamp (explained in the "How It Works" section of this website). This additional step usually takes about one minute.

We strongly recommend practicing setup before hunting season. Like calling, shooting, or ranging, efficiency comes with repetition. When a bull is responding and closing the distance, preparation matters.

The Caddis Cow™ was intentionally designed for quick deployment in real hunting situations, allowing hunters to set up fast when every second counts.

For examples of solo and caller-assisted setups, see the "How It Works" section.

It depends on whether you are hunting solo or hunting with a caller.

A good starting point is:

• 10–30 yards (9–27 meters) from the shooter

Terrain, shooting lanes, vegetation, wind, and visibility will all influence the ideal distance. The goal is to place the visual confirmation where a bull naturally expects to find the source of the sounds he is hearing.

When hunting solo, many hunters place the Caddis Cow™ within easy shooting distance while maintaining enough separation to draw the bull's attention away from the hunter.

When hunting with a caller, the decoy is often positioned behind the shooter, with the shooter located between the approaching bull and the decoy. This arrangement can help focus the bull's attention on the decoy rather than the hunter while creating a better opportunity for a close-range shot.

As with calling, there is no perfect distance. Experiment with different setups and terrain features to determine what works best for your hunting style, local conditions, and the behavior of the elk you are pursuing.

GEB can offer general guidance, but the official source should always be the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

I am where I am today because I first listened to people and hunters who knew more than I did. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish does a great job preparing the official Hunting Rules and Information booklet, and in my experience, they have been helpful and responsive when I have had questions.

As time allows, I may be able to share general insight from more than 30 years of hunting different units in New Mexico. However, application deadlines, draw rules, license requirements, and regulations can change, so hunters should always verify details directly with NMDGF before applying or hunting.

Orders may be cancelled any time before shipping. Please contact us promptly.

Yes. You’ll receive an order confirmation email, followed by a tracking email once your decoy ships.

If your decoy arrives with a manufacturing defect or shipping damage, contact us within 14 days. We will repair, replace, or refund the item.

Yes. The LMRA Sticker and Flowchart are non-returnable.

Because every decoy is handcrafted and hunting conditions vary, we do not offer a broad satisfaction guarantee. However, if there is a workmanship issue or shipping damage, we will make it right.

No returns on the LMRA Sticker or Flowchart.

Because elk hunting is rugged and unpredictable, we do not offer a broad “satisfaction guarantee.” This policy keeps our pricing fair and our craftsmanship honest.

Handcrafted in small batches. Most orders ship in 1–2 weeks. We’ll notify you of any delays. Your card is only charged when your order ships.