If you plan to use a heron decoy make sure you wait until after mating season to put it out at the waters edge. During mating season the decoy will actually draw in cranes that would have otherwise passed you by. After nesting has begun you can put them out.

My personal experience is to use the loud noise approach. I found that a crane will enter the area (if you have alot of surrounding trees) and stay out of site of the decoy via tree lines or brush. It doesn't matter if they see you or not if sending a 2000 fps (thanks) racket over their heads.

Just another 1 acre hole in the ground...........with fish !!!