Found a substantial active wallow, too late or worthless to a rifle hunter?

[SERE VG]

Lol, I apologize I took the sacred stick and string lightly!

It's a tool folks. If it's some spiritual path for you, cool. Please take your sermon elsewhere.

Back to wallows.



Sent from my mind via apathy.

[Labs07]

If you want less people in the woods, a better season and cool weather then go buy a muzzle loader and hunt in early Oct.  Good season, Elk are still bugleing, which is cool.  Plus you have cooler temps.

[furbearer365]

Lol, I apologize I took the sacred stick and string lightly!

It's a tool folks. If it's some spiritual path for you, cool. Please take your sermon elsewhere.

Back to wallows.



Sent from my mind via apathy.

I wasn't at all giving a sermon but thanks for the sarcasm.  I truly could care less why someone would take up bow hunting to be honest with you.  I was just reading your post you sounded as though you weren't  wanting to get into bow hunting but since you found a wallow you may give it a try.  You are right it is a tool, but it is a tool that needs a little more attention and practice than the other two options for hunting.  I was just making a generalization by the way your post read.  I will stop now so you can get back to your wallows and good luck with whatever you choose

[Happy2BHere]

Sere,
Did you scout around the area? If so did you find rubs? If so,were they fresh? Also, if it were me, I would look at the browse around the wallow- if the browse has been eaten, are the tips that were eaten Brown? If so, maybe widen your search (if you are uncertain which direction then maybe think wind strategy and elk feed. Elk feed-->Since there is cedar, do you see any blackberry bushes or shorter stands of devils club nearby? That's elk candy). If the tips of the eaten plants haven't turned brown yet, then the wallow is still probably active. If it is active, I wouldn't camp on it, I would move out about 100 yd.s or so, and keep quite and still and see what you see and hear. If you can nail down their travel routes and times to/from the wallow then maybe give some thought to setting up with the wind in your favor and good shooting lanes. Many gun hunters don't pay much attention to their scent. A wallow is a good place to be scent free (hunter's clothes wash & deodorant, etc.). Lastly, if you get a good day of rain, try to find stands of young pine with mushrooms near the wallow and don't be afraid to do some soft calls on a cow call. Softly and few would be better than many and loud. If you go that route, think soft and pleading. then put it away and don't touch it again unless you see one you are trying to stop for a shot. Good luck. You got this.
Rick

[SERE VG]

I wasn't at all giving a sermon but thanks for the sarcasm.  I truly could care less why someone would take up bow hunting to be honest with you.  I was just reading your post you sounded as though you weren't  wanting to get into bow hunting but since you found a wallow you may give it a try.  You are right it is a tool, but it is a tool that needs a little more attention and practice than the other two options for hunting.  I was just making a generalization by the way your post read.  I will stop now so you can get back to your wallows and good luck with whatever you choose

No problem, maybe I took it wrong. Personally I hope everyone devotes the proper time and respect to mastering whatever tool they choose to hunt with.

Sere,
Did you scout around the area? If so did you find rubs? If so,were they fresh? Also, if it were me, I would look at the browse around the wallow- if the browse has been eaten, are the tips that were eaten Brown? If so, maybe widen your search (if you are uncertain which direction then maybe think wind strategy and elk feed. Elk feed-->Since there is cedar, do you see any blackberry bushes or shorter stands of devils club nearby? That's elk candy). If the tips of the eaten plants haven't turned brown yet, then the wallow is still probably active. If it is active, I wouldn't camp on it, I would move out about 100 yd.s or so, and keep quite and still and see what you see and hear. If you can nail down their travel routes and times to/from the wallow then maybe give some thought to setting up with the wind in your favor and good shooting lanes. Many gun hunters don't pay much attention to their scent. A wallow is a good place to be scent free (hunter's clothes wash & deodorant, etc.). Lastly, if you get a good day of rain, try to find stands of young pine with mushrooms near the wallow and don't be afraid to do some soft calls on a cow call. Softly and few would be better than many and loud. If you go that route, think soft and pleading. then put it away and don't touch it again unless you see one you are trying to stop for a shot. Good luck. You got this.
Rick

It was definitely active as of my visit. It was record high temps the week previous and plenty warm enough the week I was up there. Due to the terrain and nearby clear-cut they were primarily entering from two directions. Wind was perfect for working in on either approach. I'm headed back up Friday for a some more scouting. The cold temps should give me a better idea if they are in the area for more than the wallow.

Thanks

Vince


Sent from my mind via apathy.

[SERE VG]

Checked the camera, lots of bulls.

Bull moose that is...










And this guy. Cool to see him in here. Not sure if it means anything to me for late Oct. I'll be checking in on the cam until then just in case. 

Need to bone up on my plants Happy2Bhere, very diverse little area around the seep. Smelled wonderful today, the area was covered in mint. I've been speaking to two experienced elk hunters I work with and they both seem optimistic the area will hold elk until rifle season. We'll see. If nothing else I'll have some fun trail cam pics and a goal for next year.

[oldleclercrd]

Awesome!!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I'd be hanging a tree stand there about 30' high and hunt it hard! Good luck!

[Alchase]

On the west side, I have seen small herds of cows each take turns in wallows while it was raining.
A wallow to me means elk frequent the general area enough to create and maintain a wallow, meaning they use it regularly. When I find them and feel reassured there is a good chance elk could still be in the area, just like fresh poop.

[ridgefire]

try rifle hunting the area this year and if no action go for the bow next year, that's what I would do. good luck.

[SERE VG]

Thanks for the advice and positive thoughts! I'll have my fingers crossed. I'll be checking the cam, every week+. I'll try to update if any of them hang around(or not).

Thanks

Vince

Sent from my mind via apathy.