Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: bankwalker on August 20, 2008, 02:36:46 PM

Title: apples and elk?
Post by: bankwalker on August 20, 2008, 02:36:46 PM: ive got an apple tree in my backyard that is just full of apples. my family doesnt eat them really and 90% of them will just fall on the ground and go to waste. so i was thinking of filling up some garbage bags full of these apples and taking them up to my little elk honey hole and putting a few piles here and there.

my question is. how quickly would the elk be drawn to the apples? should i wait till opening day to place my piles or do it a few days before the season starts?

ive got my 200 apples. and access to ALOT more.
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: BC CHASER on August 20, 2008, 02:39:19 PM: The bears will find them first! :chuckle:
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: bankwalker on August 20, 2008, 02:48:29 PM: Quote from: BC CHASER on August 20, 2008, 02:39:19 PM
The bears will find them first! :chuckle:

i figure that would be a big problem. but im not gonna be hunting right on top of the apples. so if a bear is walking to or from the apples. thats his own fault...i have no control of my bullet after i shoot him :chuckle:

or should i say arrow...
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: miah on August 20, 2008, 03:34:19 PM: good question I alwalys wondered what works good for attracting elk
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: rosscrazyelk on August 20, 2008, 03:49:09 PM: I heard a white substance called Salt works good. When I was hunting in Idaho I came across three guys all with 25 lbs. bags walking back to there spot. I don't really like to hunt like that but You asked so I threw out a answer.
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: bankwalker on August 20, 2008, 04:42:37 PM: Quote from: rosscrazyelk on August 20, 2008, 03:49:09 PM
I heard a white substance called Salt works good. When I was hunting in Idaho I came across three guys all with 25 lbs. bags walking back to there spot. I don't really like to hunt like that but You asked so I threw out a answer.

yeah thats kinda why i dont want to hunt within sight of the apples. ill stick around them but stay maybe 100yds or so away. i would hate to be sitting right on top of them and have a bear come in.
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: MIKEXRAY on August 20, 2008, 04:45:13 PM: I dumped apples ten years ago at my hunting spot (young & dumb) and nothing touched them for the whole season. They just rotted away un eaten. I was sure the deer & elk would eat them. Not even touched. my :twocents: Mike
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: bankwalker on August 20, 2008, 04:54:54 PM: Quote from: MIKEXRAY on August 20, 2008, 04:45:13 PM
I dumped apples ten years ago at my hunting spot (young & dumb) and nothing touched them for the whole season. They just rotted away un eaten. I was sure the deer & elk would eat them. Not even touched. my :twocents: Mike

westside or eastside?

the area im hunting boarders private land and there are some apple trees on said private land. i have never seen any elk around them but the deer are always there. thats they only season im thinking about putting some apple piles. the elk have got to eat those apples to. at least i would think so.

if the elk dont get them then hopefully the guy im gonna be hunting with can connect on a deer sence im not archery hunting deer.
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 20, 2008, 05:27:38 PM: I've got some deer that have an aquired taste for apples. They are picky in which tree they eat under. :chuckle:
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: MIKEXRAY on August 20, 2008, 07:44:21 PM: Westside, I don't think there were to many apple trees where I was hunting. I've been in other areas and have seen plenty of deer eating apples from trees and under. I always wondered if it was my scent on and around pile ? Could be, good luck. Mike
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: TheHunt on August 21, 2008, 10:44:18 AM: Dump them in MANY, MANY, MANY piles. Dump then on areas that the air/wind will pick up the smell. Do not dump them in a hole. Spread the piles out to spread out scent and keep any sick elk from infecting the others. Hoof rot is caused by eating close together. Spread the apples around...
Title: Re: apples and elk?
Post by: 12Gauge on August 26, 2008, 06:43:38 AM: My buddy has lots of apple trees in his back yard and we noticed that the animals do not like to eat the fruit they like to eat the young leaves of the apple tree.

We have dump many apples in the areas we hunt and nothing touched them except for crows.