Elk Wallow??? Mineral Area?? Watch Vid Clip and lend me your thoughts!

[brianb231]

Well, We went scouting for the past 5 days for Elk and we saw lots of Elk. We also saw a Bull in velvet that I bet would be the Washington state record! I have no pics  but you will have to take my word for it. He was already a 6x6 in velvet with about 16 in eye gaurds and very heavy. Was probably going to be a 7x7 by September. Anyway, we also found this wallow or mineral area that is being used in a big way. I have enclosed a video of this and I am curious what you think of this. They are pawing away at the banks and chewing up the stumps that are in it. It reaks of elk piss with tons of tracks.

http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m229/brianb231/?action=view&current=ELKWALLOW2011.mp4

Let me know.

THanks,

Brian

[Green Lantern]

I hope your trail cam dont get stolen. You guys arent the only ones that know about it someone has salted it before.

[brianb231]

Well, we have locked the trailcam, but it is public land so I understand the risks involved. I would hope nobody would take it but you never know. So you think this area has been salted by someone repeatedly to get this result over the years?

[Elknut1]

Definitely not a wallow, not what I could tell by the photos anyway! It's a mineral lick area, very possibly a natural one that has been spiked! Keep good tabs on it, it's possible elk will quit using it for the most part by mid-Sept.

  Here's a wallow, notice the dished out look & mud flinging all around!

  ElkNut1

[Elknut1]

Here's another photo of a mineral lick area, this is a natural one similar to the one in your video, difference is this doesn't have the high water table as yours does!

  ElkNut1

[gasman]

I have found an area simular to that in the LN area. This area has a series of muddy wallo areas going down a hill. There is probably 5 different mud holes in a 50 yard area.
The ground and hill side was pawed at dug up around it too.

[Annette]

Looks like it will continue...I see your hunting partner adding his mixture in your vidio clip

[bucklucky]

That bull doesnt have much more growing to do , he will more than likely be rubbing early August . If he only has 16 inch eyeguards , those are not really that great for a state record. Bet they wont get too much longer. If you said they were 22-24 inches long Id give the bull a chance.

[bucklucky]

Here is a good pitorial on a farm raised elk that is big, Eyeguards will top out around the beggining of June, notice the tips are no longer bulbouse or round but pointy once you get into the June photos. The back end is what is still growing. 

Amazing elk antler growth

[brianmtsinc]

Elknut,
The bull we saw was within a quarter mile of this mineral lick area.  That is why I dropped some feed to help encourage him to stop by in front of the camera. 

Do you think the bulls currently in this area will remain until Sept or will they continue moving up higher as the snow recedes? 

My son drew a bull tag for this area, and although he has never taken an animal before, we are sure going to try and find him a big one if we can. 

Final question - with these mineral lick areas, are they used by both bulls and cows or primarily bulls for antler growth?

Thanks in advance,
Brian