Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 09:45:19 AM

Title: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 09:45:19 AM: Bought a blind this year for my late elk archery, unit 672. Found a really great trail during the pre-rut with bulls on trail cam all the way until the rut. During the rut everything was gone haha. Anyone ever just hunt from a blind on a well used trail during the late elk hunt? I'm hoping since they were there before the rut they will be back during the late. Its well off the beaten path in a deep dark hole, perfect conditions for where the bulls head to after the rut. Any input would be awesome. Thanks.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: nitroelk on November 21, 2019, 11:15:40 AM: throw out a few apples and a bucket full of Alfalfa as an attractant and maybe some salt and be patient, very patient.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: Stein on November 21, 2019, 01:30:45 PM: I wouldn't plan on it, although anything is possible. During the rut, the bulls are wherever the cows are. After the rut, the bulls are usually not with the cows and if they are smart are hiding someplace deep and dark until the hunting season is over.

The cows will usually be where they can find the best feed and it is usually in a different place in November and December than in September.

I would think that late archery is probably the hardest elk tag there is to fill.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 02:42:05 PM: Quote from: nitroelk on November 21, 2019, 11:15:40 AM
throw out a few apples and a bucket full of Alfalfa as an attractant and maybe some salt and be patient, very patient.

Right on. Good news is I’ve had a salt block right there since July so that’s taken care of.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 02:43:52 PM: Quote from: Stein on November 21, 2019, 01:30:45 PM
I wouldn't plan on it, although anything is possible. During the rut, the bulls are wherever the cows are. After the rut, the bulls are usually not with the cows and if they are smart are hiding someplace deep and dark until the hunting season is over.

The cows will usually be where they can find the best feed and it is usually in a different place in November and December than in September.

I would think that late archery is probably the hardest elk tag there is to fill.

I know that’s how bulls work that’s why I figured they would be back in that spot. Prerut they were there. Rut they were gone. And it’s a deep dark hole of a valley. Away from the roads. With a very very well used trail.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: bobcat on November 21, 2019, 03:02:07 PM: I don't think the salt is effective this time of year. I could be wrong but I sure wouldn't count on it. You might plan to spend half a day in the blind and see if you get lucky. But I wouldn't waste a lot of time there. Unless you get in there and see fresh sign confirming they're using the trail regularly.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: Stein on November 21, 2019, 03:13:00 PM: Quote from: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 02:43:52 PM
Quote from: Stein on November 21, 2019, 01:30:45 PM
I wouldn't plan on it, although anything is possible. During the rut, the bulls are wherever the cows are. After the rut, the bulls are usually not with the cows and if they are smart are hiding someplace deep and dark until the hunting season is over.

The cows will usually be where they can find the best feed and it is usually in a different place in November and December than in September.

I would think that late archery is probably the hardest elk tag there is to fill.

I know that’s how bulls work that’s why I figured they would be back in that spot. Prerut they were there. Rut they were gone. And it’s a deep dark hole of a valley. Away from the roads. With a very very well used trail.

Could be, I've noticed the elk sometimes don't read from the same book I do.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: vandeman17 on November 21, 2019, 03:39:22 PM: Quote from: bobcat on November 21, 2019, 03:02:07 PM
I don't think the salt is effective this time of year. I could be wrong but I sure wouldn't count on it. You might plan to spend half a day in the blind and see if you get lucky. But I wouldn't waste a lot of time there. Unless you get in there and see fresh sign confirming they're using the trail regularly.

Agreed. By late summer, elk are no longer interested in salt. Alfalfa cubes and other feed are more effective
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: WSU on November 21, 2019, 03:42:08 PM: I had salt out this summer and had elk on cams almost daily. They ignored the salt for the most part.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 21, 2019, 06:11:40 PM: Yeah they have never been interested in any of the salt blocks I’ve put out since July. I’m thinking first day I’ll go in spot stalk style and see what the sign says. The whole valley is at least 2 miles long and there’s a main trail about 2 feet wide at its widest and in the thicker parts gets more narrow but it is a constant throughout it, with offshoots everywhere. At the end is a killer bedding area too. Tons of food water and cover throughout. Was brutal to find but when I found it I knew it was a great spot. Gonna drop some apples and alfalfa I think for sure.

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Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: Stein on November 21, 2019, 06:37:20 PM: I hate cams but you may want to look in that direction.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on November 22, 2019, 09:24:26 AM: Pumped for late archery elk hunt and plan on using a stand for a fair amount of the time. Hunting solo for archery so I can't consider getting too deep. Have salt out year round. Not many critters hit it October on. Everything loves apples and I'm out.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 22, 2019, 05:13:58 PM: Quote from: Ghost Hunter on November 22, 2019, 09:24:26 AM
Pumped for late archery elk hunt and plan on using a stand for a fair amount of the time. Hunting solo for archery so I can't consider getting too deep. Have salt out year round. Not many critters hit it October on. Everything loves apples and I'm out.

I hear you there, I’m always excited for any elk hunt. I’m also solo hunting this time. This will be the first time I’ve found a spot I want to sit on a blind. Usually just spot and stalk

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Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: Bullkllr on November 22, 2019, 06:02:47 PM: So, you had a cam out, but pulled it? Or is it still out?

You could be onto something, or you could be sitting there a really long time. I'd have to be pretty sure before I'd invest a lot of time sitting there.
Title: Re: Late Elk from Blind?
Post by: BB11b on November 22, 2019, 07:16:16 PM: Quote from: Bullkllr on November 22, 2019, 06:02:47 PM
So, you had a cam out, but pulled it? Or is it still out?

You could be onto something, or you could be sitting there a really long time. I'd have to be pretty sure before I'd invest a lot of time sitting there.

Yeah I had three cams throughout that valley all on the same trail. Bulls all up and down it. I wish I had been able to leave them out but unfortunately I couldn’t.

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