Abstract:
A deer hunting decoy has a central post within a flexible cover having front and rear faces with coloration simulating the hind quarters of a deer, with each including a lighter colored central portion surrounded by a darker colored border. The lighter colored central portions are covered by tail flaps. The tail flaps are joined for rotational movement to an axle that extends across the central post and through holes in the flexible cover. A pull cord is directly or indirectly joined to the axle. Tugging the pull cord causes rotation of the axle and movement of the tail flaps to simulate tail movement of a deer. The central post is staked to a ground. Different decoy deer heads are interchangeably attachable. A buck head silhouette terminates in a tube connector that releasable fits within a proximal end of the central post. A grazing doe silhouette has a hook portion at one end and a doe head at the opposite end. The hook portion is inserted over an edge of an opening in the flexible cover and the head portion is pinned to the ground.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hunting decoy especially configured for attracting white tail deer to a hunter&#39;s location by visual stimulus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hunters use various methods to attract white tail deer to the hunter&#39;s location. In a first instance, scents and sounds can be used to lure deer to a vicinity. Such methods often are deficient because the deer do not approach the hunters location within shooting distance without additional visual confirmation of the presence of other animals. 
     White tail deer use their tails as a visual means of communicating with other deer. For example, does will raise their tails to signal that they are ready to breed. Bucks recognize and are attracted to a doe&#39;s tail raising display. Accordingly, visual attractors (decoys) have been proposed for hunting white tail deer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,081 is a deer tail decoy that can be affixed to a heavy, full-sized deer body decoy structure. The white portion of the deer tail decoy is visible continually, and does not attract a deer&#39;s attention. Moreover, the hunter must carry and maintain a full-sized deer body decoy structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,692 proposes a deer decoy resembling the hind quarters of a white tail deer. The decoy may be mounted into a ground surface with two stakes. Tails are attached onto ends of a metal drive rod for pivotal movement and are displayed at opposite sides of the decoy. The molded plastic body comprises two halves with a hollow area inside to house electronic mechanism (a small motor, rheostat, radio control, battery) and the metal drive rod. The electronic mechanism enables tails attached to the drive rod to be moved to the left and to the right to simulate deer tail movement. The decoy is cumbersome with its molded plastic body and lacks head and neck features to simulate a doe or a buck. The electronic mechanism adds complexity. 
     Notwithstanding various attempts to create deer decoys that are effective in attracting the attention of deer, the current decoys either fail to simulate the movement of a deer tail to a sufficient degree to attract and maintain the attention of deer, fail to permit a hunter to control their movement, and/or require burdensome mounting structure. Hunters continue to seek simple to operate, lightweight, and compact deer decoys that mimic the tail display motion of white tail deer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, a deer hunting decoy has a hollow or substantially hollow central post having a sidewall, a proximal end and a distal end and defining a length. The central post has a stake or forms a stake at its distal end that is adapted for staking the deer hunting decoy to a ground surface. The central post has an opening at its proximal or top end. The central post further defines at least one opening through its sidewall. An axle bar extends radially outwardly from the central post. The axle bar has a first end and a second end, and preferably is shaped as (a) a w-shaped axle bar or (b) a weldment with a v-shaped activation bar and an angled U-shaped tension bar. A flexible cover extends over a substantial portion of the central post. The cover is configured with an opening to expose the opening at the proximal end of the central post. The cover has a front face and a rear face, with each of the front face and rear face colored to simulate, suggest or resemble hind quarters of a deer and with each including a substantially lighter colored central portion surrounding by a substantially darker colored border. A first tail flap overlays over the substantially lighter central portion of the front face, with the first tail flap joined to the first end of the axle bar. A second tail flap overlays over the substantially lighter central portion of the rear face, said second tail flap joined to the second end of the axle bar. The first tail flap and the second tail flap are of a shape to substantially cover the respective substantially lighter central portions of the cover in a respective first position, and upon rotating or twisting the axle bar said first tail flap and second tail flap each are rotatable to a respective second position to expose at least a portion of each substantially lighter central portion of the cover. A pull cord is joined at one end directly or indirectly to the axle bar and threaded through at least a portion of the length of the central post. The pull cord is threaded through the at least one opening through the central post to extend a portion of the pull cord outside of the deer hunting decoy. Upon tugging or pulling on the pull cord, the axle is caused to rotate, which in turn causes movement of the first and second tail flaps. A decoy deer head or silhouette is removably attachable to the deer hunting decoy. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the decoy deer head is a silhouette having a post end that releasably fits within the opening at the proximal end of the central post. The cover may have one or more fasteners, such as zippers or a double zipper, to selectively open and substantially close the flexible cover opening. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the decoy deer head is a silhouette of a buck having a post end that releasably fits within the central opening at the proximal end of the central post, and wherein the double zipper is substantially closed to retain the decoy deer head in position within the central opening at the proximal end of the central post. 
     In yet another embodiment, the decoy deer head is a silhouette having a deer head at one end and a hook shape at an opposite end. In this embodiment, the decoy deer head is a silhouette of a doe having a deer head at one end and a hook shape at an opposite end. The hook shape is releasably joinable to the flexible cover at the flexible cover opening. The fastener, such as a zipper or double zipper closure, is substantially closed to retain the decoy deer head in position. A pin may be attached to the deer head end of the decoy deer head, with said pin adapted for staking the deer head end to the ground. 
     Preferably, the deer hunting decoy includes a resilient band joined to the axle bar, and the pull cord is joined to the resilient band. The resilient band applies tension force opposing the tugging or pulling motion applied to the pull cord, which tension force urges the pull cord to a neutral position such that the axle bar is not rotated. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the axle bar is substantially W-shaped, and the central portion of the ‘W” is within the central post. The ends of the W-shaped axle bar extend through holes formed through the central portion, with the first end extending also through the front face of the cover and to which the first tail flap is joined, and with the second end extending also through the rear face of the cover and to which the second tail flap is joined. The resilient band may be wrapped about lower portions of the W-shaped axle bar and partly around the central post. The pull cord preferably is joined to the resilient band, and may be redirected by contact with one or more redirection bars within the cover or within the central portion. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the axle bar is a weldment consisting of an axle bar with mounting tabs, a V-shaped activation bar and an angled U-shaped tension bar. The central part of the axle bar is within the central post. The ends of the axle bar extend through holes formed through the central portion, with the first end extending through the front face of the cover and to which the first tail flap is joined, and with the second end extending also through the rear face of the cover and to which the second tail flap is joined. The resilient band may be wrapped about lower portions of the tension bar and partly around the central post. 
     The cover may be supported by supporting structure that includes the central portion, a first frame within the cover to stabilize the first face and a second frame within the cover to stabilize the second face. The first frame and the second frame may each comprise cylindrical tubes bent to a substantially inverted U-shape. In some embodiments, the tubes may comprise foam or flexible plastic, such as PEX. The flexible cover may be textile, such as canvas, or other fabric of suitable durability for outdoor use. Suitable fabrics include polyester-cotton blends, nylon, Rayon and denim. If desired, the fabric may be stiffened by joining the fabric to a facing fabric or other stiffening substrate. 
     The first tail flap and second tail flap have front faces of a substantially darker color to simulate color of fur of a deer, and rear faces of a substantially lighter color. The first tail flap and the second tail flap may be textile, comparable to the cover. A stiffening wire may be held between the front and rear faces of a tail flap. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of attracting deer uses the deer hunting decoy according to the invention. To form a deer hunting decoy resembling or suggesting a buck, the deer decoy head is inserted into the central post, and the flexible cover is substantially closed around the deer decoy head. The deer hunting decoy is staked to the ground by the stake end of the deer hunting decoy. 
     In still another embodiment, a method of attracting deer uses the deer hunting decoy according to the invention. To form a deer hunting decoy resembling or suggesting a grazing doe, a hook portion of the deer decoy head is inserted over an edge of the opening of the flexible cover. The opening of the flexible cover is substantially closed to engage the hook portion. The deer hunting decoy is staked to the ground by the stake end of the deer hunting decoy. A portion of the deer decoy head is pinned to the ground. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is schematic illustration of a deer hunting decoy according to the invention placed in a hunting location a distance from a hunting blind; 
         FIG. 2  is left front perspective view of a deer hunting decoy according to the invention with a buck head insert and with a tail flap in a down direction; 
         FIG. 3  is a left front perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 2 , with the tail flap in a rotated position; 
         FIG. 4  is a left front perspective view of a deer hunting decoy according to the invention with a grazing doe head insert and with a tail flap in a down direction; 
         FIG. 5  is a left front perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 4  with the tail flap in a rotated position; 
         FIG. 6  is a right rear perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 2  with a second tail flap in a rotated position; 
         FIG. 7  is a right rear perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 4  with a second tail flap in a rotated position; 
         FIG. 8  is a spool or string holder wrapped with a pull cord; 
         FIG. 9  is a left front top perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a left front perspective view of the grazing doe head insert; 
         FIG. 11  is a left front top partial perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 4  showing attachment of the grazing doe head insert; 
         FIG. 12  is a left front top partial perspective view of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 2  with the buck head insert removed, showing structure within the internal cavity of the deer hunting decoy; 
         FIG. 13  is a magnified view of the bent rod to which the tail flaps are attached and resilient member wrapped about the bent rod and to which the pull cord is attached; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the deer hunting decoy taken along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the deer hunting decoy taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the deer hunting decoy taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view of a variant of a deer hunting decoy according to the invention with an alternative axle bar for causing tail flap movement and alternative tail flaps; and 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17  showing one of the tail flaps of the deer hunting decoy of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a deer hunting decoy  10  is shown staked into the ground at the edge of a stand of trees and at a distance spaced apart from a hunting blind  160 . A pull cord  36  extends from the deer hunting decoy  10  to the hunting blind  160 . A hunter positioned within the hunting blind  160  may pull on the pull cord  36  to cause rotational tail movement of the deer hunting decoy  10 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 2, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 , the deer hunting decoy  10  has a central tube  12  extending vertically within the inside volume of the deer hunting decoy  10 . The central tube  12  has a stake end  14  at its bottom or distal end and a shoulder  18  at its top or proximal end. At least one hole  16  is formed through the sidewall of the central tube  12  at or near its stake end  14 . At least one first hole  22  and one second hole  24  are formed through the sidewall of the central tube at or near its top or proximal end. 
     The central tube  12  is rigid or substantially rigid, and may be formed of a metal or polymer or plastic, such as PVC pipe, of about 2 to 5 cm in diameter. 
     A w-shaped axle bar  30  ( FIGS. 13 and 16 ) is threaded through the first hole  22  and second hole  24  of the central tube. The w-shaped axle bar  30  is adapted for rotation. One end  34  of the w-shaped axle bar  30  is connected directly or indirectly to a first tail flap  80 . The opposite end  32  of the w-shaped axle bar  30  is connected directly or indirectly to a second tail flap  82 . 
     A resilient band  60  is looped between bends of the w-shaped axle bar  30  and then around a portion of the exterior circumference of the central tube  12 . The resilient band  60  may be an elastomeric band having a thickness of about 1 to 4 mm and a length of about 10 to 20 cm. The first end  64  of the resilient band  60  is joined to support structure of the deer hunting decoy, and the second end  66  of the resilient band  60  is joined to opposite support structure of the deer hunting decoy. 
     One end  38  of the pull cord  36  is joined or tied to the resilient band  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the end  38  is tied to the resilient band  60  at that portion of the resilient band that extends around a portion of the exterior circumference of the central tube  12 . The pull cord  36  is threaded around a redirection bar  70  that spans across an internal depth of the deer hunting decoy  10 . The pull cord  36  also is threaded around a second redirection bar  72  at or near the stake end  14  of the central tube  12 . From there, the pull cord  36  is threaded through hole  16  and out of the deer hunting decoy  10 . 
     The opposite end of the pull cord  36  from that which is tied to the resilient band  60  which is outside of the deer hunting decoy  10  may be wrapped about a spool or string holder  150  ( FIG. 8 ). The hunter may release a desired length of the pull cord  36  from the spool or string holder  150  when the deer hunting decoy  10  is staked a distance from the hunter&#39;s intended location, such as in a hunting blind  160 . 
     A first bent tube  74  shaped into a generally inverted U shape is disposed to one side of the central tube  12 . A second bent tube  76  shaped into a generally inverted U shape is disposed to one side of the central tube  12  opposite from the position of the first bent foam tube  74 . The bent tubes  74 ,  76  together with the central tube  12  form supporting inner structure of the deer hunting decoy  10 . The tubes  74 ,  76  may be formed of a plastic flexible tubing, such as PEX, or of a foam, such as polystyrene or polyurethane, and may be coated with a film for improved weather/moisture resistance. 
     A cover  40  extends over the supporting inner structure. The cover  40  is Open at the distal end so that the stake end  14  of the central tube  12  extends out of the distal end of the cover. The cover  40  has an open top end  44  with a first zipper  42  and a second zipper  43  extending across the open top end  44  so that the open top end may be various closed by action of first zipper  42 , or second zipper  43 . Alternatively, the open top end  44  may be left partially open to expose the shoulder  18  at the proximal end of the central tube  12 . 
     The cover  40  is formed to suggest or resemble the hind quarters of a standing deer. The cover  40  has a front face  46  and a rear face  48 . Each of the front face  46  and rear face  48  is patterned with coloration of a deer, such as brown fur  102  and white rump  104 . The front face  46  of the cover  40  defines a hole  50  stabilized by a grommet  54  through which one end of the w-shaped axle bar  30  is threaded. The rear face  48  of the cover  40  similarly defines a hole  52  stabilized by a grommet  56 . 
     The flexible cover  40  may be textile, such as canvas, or other fabric of suitable durability for outdoor use. Suitable fabrics include polyester-cotton blends, nylon, Rayon and denim. If desired, the fabric may be stiffened by joining the fabric to a facing fabric or other stiffening substrate. If desired, the fabric may be coated with a moisture barrier film or coating. 
     The first tail flap  80  is joined to one end of the w-shaped axle bar  30 . The first tail flap  80  has a front face  84  and a rear face  86 , with the rear face having the coloration of a bottom side of a tail of deer, such as white, and the front face having the coloration of the deer tail when the tail is down, such as brown. 
     The second tail flap  82  is joined to the opposite end of the w-shaped axle bar  30 . The second tail flap  82  has a front face  88  that is generally brown and has a rear face  90  that is generally white to mimic coloration of a deer tail. 
     Upon pulling or tugging on the pull cord  36  in the direction of arrow  120  (e.g.,  FIGS. 3, 15 ), the w-shaped axle bar  30  is rotated to cause both the first and second tail flaps  80 ,  82  to rotate with each pull or tug. The first tail flap  80  rotates from a position covering the white portion  104   a  of the outside cover  40 , to a position that exposes the white portion  104   a  of the outside cover  40  to view. Compare  FIGS. 2 and 3 . With the same tug motion, the second tail flap  82  rotates from a position covering the white portion  104   b  of the outside cover  40  to a position that exposes the white portion  104   b  of the outside cover  40  to view (See  FIG. 6 ). The resilient band exerts a spring force to return the pull cord upon release of the pull or tug on the pull cord  36 . Hence, the tail flaps  80 ,  82  may be rotated to expose the white portions  104   a, b  of the cover  40 , and then returned to positions covering the white portions. In this manner, natural deer-like tail movements may be effected by pulling or tugging and releasing the pull cord  36 . 
     The deer hunting decoy  10  may variously be used in the form of a challenging (e.g. standing) buck or a grazing doe. Compare  FIGS. 2 and 3  (standing buck) with  FIGS. 4 and 5  (grazing doe). To create the standing buck, a buck silhouette  110  is inserted into the shoulder portion  18  of the central tube  12  of the deer hunting decoy  10 . See  FIG. 9 . The buck silhouette  110  has a head  112 , with extending ears  114  and extending antlers  116 . The buck silhouette may be formed as a foam board or poster board or plywood sheet with ornamentation to replicate or suggest a rear head of a standing buck. The same or different ornamentation may be applied to each of the front face and rear face of the buck silhouette. The bottom portion of the buck silhouette terminates in a tube end  118  that releasably fits within the upper open shoulder  18  of the central tube  12 . First zipper  42  and second zipper  43  are moved to close the opening of the cover  40  around the buck silhouette  110 . 
     To create the grazing doe, a doe silhouette  130  has a head portion with a nose  134  at its distal end and a J-shaped or U-shaped hook  132  at its proximal end. See  FIG. 10 . A pin  136  is joined for rotation by axle  138  at or close to the nose  134 . The doe silhouette may be formed as a foam board or poster board or plywood sheet with ornamentation to replicate or suggest a neck and head of a grazing doe. The same or different ornamentation may be applied to each of the front face and rear face of the doe silhouette. The hook  132  is linked over an edge of the open top of the cover  40  ( FIG. 11 ). The zipper  42  is then closed to close the opening  44  at the top of the cover  40  and secure the doe silhouette  130  to the cover  40 . The doe silhouette  130  is placed with the nose  134  directed toward the ground. The pin  136  is staked into the ground to stabilize the doe silhouette  130  in position to create the impression of a grazing doe. 
     The deer hunting decoy  10  is lightweight and portable. The buck silhouette  110  and the doe silhouette  130  may be removed from the cover and stabilizing structure for transport. The cover  40  and the central tube  12  and foam tubes  74 ,  76  may be stacked together for storage and transport. The zippers  42 ,  43  may be closed to protect the w-shaped axle bar  30  and resilient band  60  and other structure within the cover. The cover  40  in its closed orientation has the general shape of a tennis racquet cover. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a variant of the deer hunting decoy  200  is shown in partial cross-sectional view. Like parts have the same reference numbers as applicable to earlier Figures. In this variant, the w-shaped axle bar is replaced by a weldment consisting of an axle bar  202  with mounting tabs, a V-shaped activation bar  204  and an angled U-shaped tension bar  206 . The central part of the axle bar is within the central post  12 . The ends of the axle bar extend through holes  50 ,  52  formed through the central portion that are reinforced by grommets  54 ,  56 , with the first end extending through the front face  46  of the cover  40  and to which the first tail flap  80   a  is joined, and with the second end extending also through the rear face  48  of the cover  40  and to which the second tail flap  82   a  is joined. The pull cord  36  is attached to the V-shaped activation bar  204  and is threaded through the central post  12 . Pulling the pull cord  36  causes the axle bar  202  to rotate, and causes pivotal movement or back and forth twitching rotational movement of the tail flaps  80   a . The angled U-shaped tension bar  206  acts as a counter weight to the force applied to the V-shaped activation bar  204  when the pull cord  36  is pulled. Upon releasing the pull cord  36 , the weight of the angled U-shaped tension bar  206  causes downward movement of the U-shaped tension bar  206 , which urges the axle bar  202  to rotate back to its neutral position. Optionally, a resilient band (not shown) may be wrapped about lower portions of the tension bar and partly around the central post for further tension to counter the pull tension on the pull cord  36 . 
     The tail flaps  80   a ,  82   a  of this variant have a front face  84   a  and an opposite rear face  86   a  with a stiffening means therein. Referring to  FIG. 18 , the tail flap  80   a  has a bent wire  170  held between the front face  84   a  and rear face  86   a  to stiffen the tail flap. The wire  170  is maintained between the front face and rear face by stitching  164  and by a sleeve  162  joined to a backside of the front face  84   a . A fitting  180  secures the bent wire  170  to an end of the axle bar  202 . Optionally, the tail flap  80   a  shown in  FIG. 18  may be used in association with the variant of the deer hunting decoy shown in  FIGS. 1-16 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.