cows and wallows

[Instinct]

Im just curious does cows use wallows just as much as the bulls do? When it cools down like last years sept, they dont use em as much im assuming. Im asking because im reading the book "elk talk" and they mention a lot about bulls in the wallows but nothing about cows useing them.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have seen cows/calves in and around wallows, but nothing like what a bull does in them.
They might play and splash a little, but a bull flat out enjoys himself, peeing rolling thrashing with his antlers etc..
but in my experience,.. you can never really say what an elk is going to do, one always comes along and shows me something different.

[Instinct]

So would it be worth sitting by, have a lil ground blinde?

[Pathfinder101]

So would it be worth sitting by, have a lil ground blinde?

If you are asking about Eastern Wa Elk, then if the weather is hot and dry, yes.  If it rains though, probably not.  Seems to me the wetter the weather is, the less they use them.  As was stated before though, as soon as you make a rule about elk, they come along and make you a liar...
Whether or not cows and calves use them depends on if they are big enough to drink out of.  If it's just a mud pit, then no.  If there is a good amount of standing water in them, then possibly, but only if it is hot and dry...see above disclaimer...

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Depends on if it is active.
check and see if the water is cloudy, and if there are wet mud splatters (drops on surrounding vegetation)
if it is being used, see if you can figure out what way they are coming in, and which direction they are leaving. (usually a mud trail on exit route)
number of tracks will show how many are visiting, usually a bull along with his cows, set up on the downwind side of approach, make youself confortable (expect mosquitos) and wait....   

[BLUEBULLS]

So would it be worth sitting by, have a lil ground blinde?

If you are asking about Eastern Wa Elk, then if the weather is hot and dry, yes.  If it rains though, probably not.  Seems to me the wetter the weather is, the less they use them.  As was stated before though, as soon as you make a rule about elk, they come along and make you a liar...
Whether or not cows and calves use them depends on if they are big enough to drink out of.  If it's just a mud pit, then no.  If there is a good amount of standing water in them, then possibly, but only if it is hot and dry...see above disclaimer...

 

[Instinct]

Ya its eastern wa, i was just curious because last year it was rainy/windy n lot cooler compaired to 2yrs ago.

[gasman]

All good advise so far 

A wallow that has activity is the most important thing to look for 

[Instinct]

Ya i found one on fifes ridge last year, god was a pain to get up there and it looked like it was heavily used.

Hey sorry i didnt make it up to ur camp there gasman i just stayed in the wenas the entire time. Hope u and ur fam had a good time this last weekend!

[flinger]

This is from a couple years ago E.Wa up the nile area. 85+ daytime temps not sure if the cows used it but i'm pretty sure there was activity here every night,not too much daytime use just a couple predators and some birds.
Elk use alot more energy to keep cool when it is hot than they do to keep warm when it is cold
so if ya find a good wallow in a cool area i say set something up with a good vantage point and lots of lanes pack a book and your patience .Don't be surprised if ya finish a chapter look up and OH S##T friggn elk right there

[Instinct]

Creepy eyes 

[Elknut1]

Instinct, absolutely not! No cows do not use a wallow like a bull would! This does not mean you will not find cows around them or the group following the herd bull to one but as far as use goes cows will generally focus their romping around at waterholes instead!

  Trick is knowing what the difference is between a wallow & a waterhole or source, many hunters cannot tell the difference between the two at times. Yes, some waterholes are obvious as to what they are but others are not. It's important to know the differences because wallows are generally used & focused on by the bulls where waterholes are used by all elk, this means your chances of seeing/killing an elk are much greater at a water source over a wallow!

    For instance what would you say this is? Just food for thought.

  ElkNut1

[Instinct]

Wallow because of the mud flinged on the grasses

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I would call that a "water hole" because even though there is mud around it, the wallows I see have larger chunks from the bull sticking his antlers in the mud and throwing it around.
When I have watched bulls in wallows, they really tear the place up, sometimes digging pretty deep holes, getting mud all over themselves and just wrecking the place.
The ones I see in my area have green grass around "water holes", and beat up bushes around "wallows" from the bull thrashing the shrubbery after his bath also, 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

bull elk wallowing Not my video, but see the large chunks, even a log! Bull at wallow

[Elknut1]

 Instinct, yes it appears to be a lot of action there at the water source, but it is with an elks hoof & lots of them! It is a water hole & not a wallow, it has very little characteristics of a wallow as well. The main use of a wallow is wallowing! Yes, they can drink it as well as urinate in it or stomp around in it or thrash their antlers in & around it but mainly it is for wallowing purposes!

  It is water sources as this & bigger ones that fool a lot of hunters, they see at these regularly & think it's a wallow being hit by many elk in the area.

  Here's a true wallow, notice the dished out sides where rolling & splashing of mud is everywhere, the evidence shows the difference from a wallow & a waterhole!

  ElkNut1

[Elknut1]

Here's another wallow, notice the small downed tree there, it was uprooted by a bull there & now it is splashed & coated with mud where he rolled in it & flung the mud with his antlers!

  ElkNut1

[Elknut1]

Here's a different photo that is a waterhole, compare the evidence there!

  ElkNut1

[DoubleJ]

Questions.

1.  Do bulls piss in their wallows?

2.  Are bulls territorial over wallows?

3.  depending on 1 and 2, would it be benificial to spray bull in rut piss all over a wallow hole while sitting there?

4.  If sitting on a wallow, what noises should be made, if any?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Those pictures show what I was talking about ! see all those clumps of mud ?
big difference.

[ribka]

Questions.

1.  Do bulls piss in their wallows?

2.  Are bulls territorial over wallows?

3.  depending on 1 and 2, would it be benificial to spray bull in rut piss all over a wallow hole while sitting there?

4.  If sitting on a wallow, what noises should be made, if any?

Based upon my observations  and trail cams at wallows. I see cows, calves using wallows in the really hot weather  in end of July and Aug .  Depends on the year and amount of water in the area too I think

However they do not seem to roll around and stay in them as much as bulls.
Bulls seem territorial of wallows starting in Sept. I do not notice as many cows calves in wallows in Sept.

 Do not know why

[carpsniperg2]

We have been by ton's of wallows in September. I have yet to see any elk around here use a wallow in September. They shred them the end of July and Aug but when September comes they don't seem to touch them I know the bulls start moving around because of the limited numbers of cows/elk in our area. So that may be the cause for it 

[Pathfinder101]

Excellent tutorial Elknut.  great food for thought...

[gasman]

We have been by ton's of wallows in September. I have yet to see any elk around here use a wallow in September. They shred them the end of July and Aug but when September comes they don't seem to touch them I know the bulls start moving around because of the limited numbers of cows/elk in our area. So that may be the cause for it 

Now that I think about it. I do not ever recall finding a wallow in use durring archery season. It is always durring my scouting that I find wallows with fresh mud spread around them.

[Elknut1]

STIKNSTRINGBOW, you are 100% correct!

  Patfinder, thanks!

 
1.  Do bulls piss in their wallows?

2.  Are bulls territorial over wallows?

3.  depending on 1 and 2, would it be benificial to spray bull in rut piss all over a wallow hole while sitting there?

4.  If sitting on a wallow, what noises should be made, if any?

  Double J---
  #-1--Yes, it's very common for them to do this as well as drink out of them, they're not proud! (grin)

  #-2---At times you bet they are! If they are bedded nearby & are in an aggressive mood Bulls can come thundering to a wallow where they feel another bull is present or on his way in! On other less aggressive times more than one bull will share a wallow! Other bulls may be resident bulls that rarely leave the area!

  #-3--I would not do that personally, my main interest is to get them to come to the wallow while I was there at my stand or blind, a trail camera at various wallows can best show activity of use & times! Active wallows are a must, anything else is a waste of time! Wallows are mostly used the last week of August & 1st two weeks of Sept. no matter if they're Rosies or Rockies! Wallows are used fo cooling off, ridding insects, looking more dominant to other bulls & impressing cows! Too, bulls can cycle wallows, some can be hit daily others every 2nd-3rd-4th day etc. Sitting an active wallow 5-6 straight days will generally net you action although a waterhole will net more action in the same time frame!

  #-4---Calling at wallows must not fall on deaf ears or it's to no avail! If a bull is bedded nearby it can be a great strategy, he may come thundering screaming in or wait patiently for an hour or two before slipping in to check on who was there! When calling at a wallow I like representing who & what I am, I want to be big as I can be & thrash around raking & splashing the wallow from mild to violently as if I'm rolling in it. When I bugle I do not use a location bugle, I get down right nasty with powerful screams letting any bulls know but especially the cows within earshot that I'm a dominant feature in the area to be considered as a potential breeder, this means a lot to both genders & can peak curiosity. Any bulls around will want to know who this new bull is, he will want to smell him or where he was there for identification.
   Many times a bull will bugle his way to you 1/2 hour later or much longer as you silently wait at the wallow after all the commotion you presented, when this happens do not bugle back, he wants to know if you're still there, make him think you left by not responding. It's a 50/50 chance he may still come in if you bugle back or he may leave, fact is he wanted to come in & investigate so let him do so without feeling he may get into a confrontation!

  ElkNut1

 

[sebek556]

great info! i will keep this in mind while scouting this year