Alfalpha

[Giggles]

I heard that Alfalpha hay (not the Little Rascal) is a good way to keep elk in front of a trail cam. Is this true? And when is Alfalpha available?

[Southpole]

yes and all the time

[h20hunter]

Feed store.

[bobcat]

I think I'm gonna pick up a bale of alfalfa too. I've been using cob, but the squirrels ate about half of what I put out.   

I don't think the squirrels will like the alfalfa much.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Elk will kill Alfalfa year round.

[littlemac]

Dependin on how close your camera is you may want to go there regularly if you put out alfalpha.  Those elk are going to hammer it hard.

When I built a house near CleElum the builder used bales to protect some trees and the minute that the snow hit the ground the elk were all over it.

[nwwanderer]

Alfalfa is great forage.  Baled dry (about 15% moisture or less) it has good shelf life and is available in small bales, 3x4x8, 4x4x8, round bales, cubes and pellets.  Feed value varies with maturity and handling of the crop.  Protein might be 24% or less than 10%.  Learn about Relative Feed Value (RFV) and use that as a guide for value.  It is a major crop in Washington.  Some of the better irrigated acres get 5 cuttings.
Remember elk eat enough to break the bank.  Hit and miss feeding might do more harm than good.
So, where are the pictures.

[huntnnw]

better have deep pockets if you want elk to stay in the area

[Sawbuck]

You guys may want to try "Packer Pellets" from the feed store. They are an alfalfa, grain mix in a pellet form, and come in a fifty pound waterproof sack. They are also "weed free" so if your cams are on NF land you won't get hassled. And yes if you get caught with noncertified feed on federal land you will get a ticket. The elk lap these up, the only problem with them is that some other rodents will pack them off a little too. May be easier to pack in to your cam than a bale of hay 

[Giggles]

Thanks for all of the advice!  This is just my 2nd year elk hunting, so I'm pretty excited about getting some pics. I'll be getting furloughed, (20% pay cut) so I know I won't be able to afford giving them too much. And thanx about he NF advice too.

[huntnnw]

I would worry about those pellets getting wet and turning to mush...I can buy 50lb compressed certified alfalfa for $12 here and easy to strap to a pack