New to this game... which to try?

[Dakota Dogman]

Alright, I'm a pheasant hunter from the flat lands of SD.  A corn field white tail hunter.  A pot hole duck potter.  But I am brand new to this whole elk game...

So here is the deal, we have moved in comfortably into the South end of the Randle unit (530) and have proof of elk out our back door.  My 11 year old son and I will both be attempting black powder elk in a couple of weeks (probably, I guess we haven't bought the tags yet, but that is our intent).

Behind our property (on public land) there are 2 options that I am looking at.  1) a ridge with 2 major game (about 1-2 foot wide each) trails at the bottom, easy access without leaving a scent trail, plus a bonus trail over the ridge, all within view of one another. Option # 2) a heavily used trail that has 3 or 4 major trees (the big one is 8" in diameter) that have been scraped raw.  The 8" is scraped as high as I can reach.  This trail is covered with real fresh game sign, but is closer to a major road.

I was really leaning towards # 1, but then I found #2 today while grouse hunting.

Also, in a most unlikely spot I found scat... Not the typical stuff I expected from elk (oversized deer pellets) but this stuff looked like a horse plops... but I very much doubt there was anyone riding a horse in that cover.  Didn't have a camera with me in the rain, no help there. So what is it? Elk eating loads of blackberries?  Did not have a "pie" consistancy of cattle, tubular, 3" diameter... It was in the midst of an elk trail with plenty of elk droppings all around it.

Thanks for wisdom, advise, direction and help;
God Bless,

[Todd_ID]

I like the sounds of the second area simply because I would rather shoot a bull that is willing to scrape an 8" tree.  I'd sit on the downwind side of the trail and cow call soft at first, then loudly, then progress to a bugle.  If the bull is in the area, then he'll know exactly where you are located with the calls and won't be able to stand another bull in his area.  If that doesn't pan out, then head to option 1 and try that.  With all us archers saying the calling part of the rut is later than normal muzzleloader season will be the time for some excellent calling opportunities.

The scat you found is not horse or cow, but it is a bull elk.  It's not normal for a bull to leave pellets like a cow will but it can happen; your description is right on for a bull.

[boneaddict]