Jump Starting an Old Wallow?

[MuleDeerCrazy]

Hey guys, got an series of old wallows that are all within 100 yards of each other and during the winter months most of them fill in and don't offer much of a wallow anymore.  They will usually reactivate one as the main wallow and leave the others somewhat dormant for that season, but kind of a crap shoot as to which one they will decide to dig out.  Have any of you guys tried to jump start a wallow by digging it out a little so it already looks more appealing to them when  they get in the mood to start using them? 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I have not, but I know a guy who claims to do just that.

[Elknut1]

Absolutely! Heck we've dug in the ground & created wallows in wet marshy areas where there were none & those elk find them & use them. Definitely consider cleaning a few up & toss crap & debris in the ones you do not want them using, this forces them into the ones you plan sitting or put trail cameras on.

  ElkNut1

[huntnnw]

dump a bag of salt by one that you want and it will get used

[Elknut1]

Yes, salt works great, don't do it in some states as Idaho as it is now illegal in or out of season.

  ElkNut1

[huntnnw]

Not that I can find in ID...key word is "Hunt" if your doing it for pics on a cam its fine year round.

[huntnnw]

From the regs

[Elknut1]

You may want to call ID F&G for verification on placing salt in or out of season because I do know it has changed, you cannot do it any longer. The quote you show is more along the line of using spray type scents. Please check to be within the laws.

  ElkNut1

[ghosthunter]

We had a spot with a little spring. The elk would come down to it just to water in the small pools. But in doing so cave in the sides. We always made a point of digging it out so there was always clean water there for them. Just to keep them around.

We also had a spring wallow spot that we would dig out some. But it was tough work. Because they would mash it so bad it was like quick sand.

We never hunted directly on these spots. we  put up blinds 100 yards or more either side along trails. Killing a elk right at a spring only attracts other hunters. And ruins the spot.

[huntnnw]

It needs to be in the regs. That's the law book I follow and nothing has changed in it.

[theleo]

We had a spot with a little spring. The elk would come down to it just to water in the small pools. But in doing so cave in the sides. We always made a point of digging it out so there was always clean water there for them. Just to keep them around.

We also had a spring wallow spot that we would dig out some. But it was tough work. Because they would mash it so bad it was like quick sand.

We never hunted directly on these spots. we  put up blinds 100 yards or more either side along trails. Killing a elk right at a spring only attracts other hunters. And ruins the spot.

I did a rookie mistake and shot my first archery bull when he put his head down getting into a wallow. He never made  it out and was the biggest pain of a skinning and gutting job I've ever done. 

[coop2424]

Yes, salt works great, don't do it in some states as Idaho as it is now illegal in or out of season.

  ElkNut1

https://fishgame.idaho.gov/content/question/using-saltmineral-licks-scout-deer-and-elk

From July 2014 but still on their website so valid..  Has to be in regs to change..

[coop2424]

My next time into an area I will be cleaning out a couple to get them hopefully coming in and using them..

[huntnnw]

Well that's pretty cut and dry. Nothing illegal about placing for cams

[MuleDeerCrazy]

Thanks for the replies, think I'm gonna try it this year!

[CP]

Yes, salt works great, don't do it in some states as Idaho as it is now illegal in or out of season.

  ElkNut1

https://fishgame.idaho.gov/content/question/using-saltmineral-licks-scout-deer-and-elk

From July 2014 but still on their website so valid..  Has to be in regs to change..

It appears that the Idaho government has determined what is “ethical” and what is “fair chase”

Hunting over salt or ground contaminated with salt is unethical and not fair chase – but hunting over liquid scent is ethical and is fair chase –

It's good to have the government make these difficult decisions for us -   

[Dhoey07]

We had a spot with a little spring. The elk would come down to it just to water in the small pools. But in doing so cave in the sides. We always made a point of digging it out so there was always clean water there for them. Just to keep them around.

We also had a spring wallow spot that we would dig out some. But it was tough work. Because they would mash it so bad it was like quick sand.

We never hunted directly on these spots. we  put up blinds 100 yards or more either side along trails. Killing a elk right at a spring only attracts other hunters. And ruins the spot.

I did a rookie mistake and shot my first archery bull when he put his head down getting into a wallow. He never made  it out and was the biggest pain of a skinning and gutting job I've ever done.

Gee, that sounds horrible    I would do it in a heartbeat!