I’ll Find Out

[Elkhunttoo]

The last few years elk hit the water hole we call “fools gold” a few times in August but not really hard. 2 seasons ago it got pounded by elk the second half of the season. Last year it didn’t get used to much. I went in to set up trail cameras and get the tree stand all finalized for the season last Friday (21st). In the last week it had been absolutely pounded with elk. The entire area was fresh elk sign from the last week. 3 fresh rub’s. Tracks, poop, and beds all over. I’m hoping that they will be back in that area around the 4-7 of September because i think the 4th will be the first day I get to be in my stand. Sure can’t wait.

[Swede]

What you have observed and experienced is not uncommon. Many things can change elk habits. i.e. Hunting pressure, predators, heat, drought, cattle, forage. etc., etc. Often, I have no idea what makes them change. I just notice the elk are gone. The crazy thing is that you can arrive at an active water hole/wallow and all you have is a place the elk were at, but where else are you more likely to find them? The more assets a place has the better. Consider, water in dry areas, saddles pinch places that limit elk travel, saddles, spots where trails come together, travel corridors,
Make an occasional call from a hidey hole near your stand, but don't call from you stand. Sometimes calling from your stand works, but sometimes not. It is better to call from a place near your stand where the elk can't determine another elk is not there until it is too late.

[Elkhunttoo]

here another thing that i think im going to find out this year.

I have an old tree stand that is still in good condition that my boss gave me. the only problem is that i dont have another ladder. i have a few steps that will probably get me about 10-12 feet so im really going to be checking wind before i place this stand. I have two places in mind, both close to where my wife will be in her stand.

Here is my dilemma that im in.

When my wife is hunting with me i like to be in a stand area close to her. We have 2 main stand places that are about 8 miles apart to drive even though they are only about 2 miles by air. I have a tree saddle set up by the one stand but it is way to heavy to move back and forth like i originally planed. Because of this when my wife and i are both hunting we are kinda tied to the one side of the mountain with both stands. If i can put this other stand up it will make it to where we can hunt whatever side we think will be best. Hopefully this works out.

[Swede]

I used to build a wood ladder using dried solid poles. Dried poles are best because green ones are too heavy. I would set the ladder in place with just the two top rungs and bottom rung (2X4 boards) in place. The top rung should be just a little narrower than the tree diameter where they come together. I like the ladder 17 or 18 feet tall. After I leaned the ladder against the tree then finished placing the missing rungs and tied it into the tree at the top. Above the ladder four or five more screw in steps were added to get me the stand height I wanted. All of this would take a couple of hours, but the ladder lasted about ten years, so it was an investment. If you use galvanized nails to secure the rungs to the poles, wire them in when you get an opportunity. The nails eventually start to come loose if you don't.
I would like to sit in a tree saddle for a little while. I never liked the looks of then as they appear very uncomfortable and unstable. How do you pee on a bear when one comes under your tree or how do you pee on anything else for that matter? It sure looks like the male rigging would suffer greatly in what I call the Johnny Jump Up for tree stand hunters.

[Elkhunttoo]

My tree saddle is a home made and let me tell you, the first time i sat in it there was no such thing as peeing out of it. But now im a pro and its not much different then my stand. i defiantly prefer the stand for all day but for a few hours i dont mind the saddle at all.

As for the ladder im hoping to have that stand hung as fast as possible and as quiet as possible. my wife will be at the water hole sitting when im working on it. I will let you know what i end up with.

[Swede]

I look forward to reading about your hunt. It may be as close as I get to the elk woods this season. I have had elk and bear come in while I was setting up my stand but not while pounding or sawing during ladder construction. I have hauled in an aluminum ladder, and they can work fine but make noise if everything is not perfect. I would not pack one very far.

[Elkhunttoo]

Last year when I was hanging my saddle a had a doe come in and spend a couple of minutes trying to figure out what was going on. It was kinda funny. She would snort and then run off a bit, and then walk right back in

[Swede]

I have had that happen when I had a decoy. Animals can act weird around an unexpected decoy. I would not put one out where or when I was not calling. The elk especially can make you wish you left the decoy in camp. Some pay no attention to it, but others run away before you get a shot opportunity. They were all coming, so why scare of half? If they come to a call an elk expects to see another elk. If there is no call it comes as a surprise to see one.

[Elkhunttoo]

Nothing yet Swede.... Im back to work today.... the stand i sat yesterday had a good 6pt bull come in around midnight and wallow the night before....he was with a cow and a calf....yesterday was a cold sit for early season....not sure what day i can get back up there, possible tomorrow or Thursday

[Swede]

I hope your wallow has more going for it than just muddy water. Trails, especially where several come together and at pinch points, saddles with trails through them and water holes in dry country and near bedding places are much more reliable. Probably the best indicator of how successful you will be is time in your stand. Best wishes

[Elkhunttoo]

This "wallow" is a spring. Its mainly used for water but there are 2 smaller muddy spots they will wallow in. It looks like im getting to get the rest of the week off so i will be heading back up early tomorrow morning. I will go sit my tree stand we have in a travel saddle for the morning and then head over to the water stand for the afternoon and evening

[Swede]

That sounds like a great plan. I am hoping you get one soon. I don't think I will get out to hunt this year so you tree stand hunters will have to carry the load for me.

[Elkhunttoo]

IMG_1521.jpeg (243.32 KiB) Viewed 26 times

More pictures to come and I will do a write up in a bit but my season is done Swede

[Swede]

Well done, Elkhunttoo. Well done.

[7mmfan]

Insert thumbs up emoji. Nice work!