moose running elk?

by **wawhitey** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 1]

so ive been shown a big water hole that was being used heavily by elk last year, and was told that they stopped using it when a rutting moose was in the area. he was seen chasing a cow around, and a guy i know set a cam up over the hole and got pics of him. they think the rutting moose drove the elk out. does this sound right to you guys, or is it more likely that the elk just moved off the water hole for other reasons? i dont think its an actual wallow, as its about an 8x4 foot hole with about 3 feet of water in it. some feedback from you pros would be appreciated

by **BarW** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 2]

I have no idea of the answer to your question but I know I'd get tired of a half blind love sick moose chasing me around.

by **wawhitey** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 3]

BarW wrote:I have no idea of the answer to your question but I know I'd get tired of a half blind love sick moose chasing me around.

i should have specified... he was seen chasing a cow MOOSE around.

by **bnsafe** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 4]

i dont know either but have heard moose become very aggressive so sounds at least possible to me. and they are big enuf to run an elk off. on a side note love the avatar

by **wawhitey** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 5]

bnsafe wrote:i dont know either but have heard moose become very aggressive so sounds at least possible to me. and they are big enuf to run an elk off. on a side note love the avatar

thanks. just made the avatar from a trailcam pic i just got, posted them in docs office if ya wanna see more. so do you have an opinion on the watering hole? the size of it and amount of water makes me think its just a watering hole, not really a wallow? but what do i know?

by **ElkNut1** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 6]

Absolutely not, mere speculation on your friends part. I elk hunt areas where moose are quite abundant, I took this years bull where moose were around. I've seen many, many bulls & cow moose right where I took this years bull. They inhabit the same areas with no real issues of bothering one another. Not saying rutting moose can't be a pain but if elk are in the area definitely hunt it!

ElkNut1

by **wawhitey** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 7]

ElkNut1 wrote:Absolutely not, mere speculation on your friends part. I elk hunt areas where moose are quite abundant, I took this years bull where moose were around. I've seen many, many bulls & cow moose right where I took this years bull. They inhabit the same areas with no real issues of bothering one another. Not saying rutting moose can't be a pain but if elk are in the area definitely hunt it!

ElkNut1

thats what i was thinking, thanks. so whats your opinion on the water hole tho? bout 8x4 foot and filled with about 3 feet of water at the center. thats not a wallow, right?

by **bnsafe** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 8]

i dont think thats a wallow, but theres alot more knowledgeable guys on here than me so wait an see. it sure doesnt sound like the wallows we saw last year.

by **wawhitey** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 9]

bnsafe wrote:i dont think thats a wallow, but theres alot more knowledgeable guys on here than me so wait an see. it sure doesnt sound like the wallows we saw last year.

yeah i dont think so either, guys who showed me say it is, but i think its just a drinking hole, hoping some of these experienced elk guys can give their opinion. elk are still quite a mystery to me, havent tagged my first one yet, but after spending a few years in the same area trying to find them ive started having some success thats making me feel pretty good about this coming season (provided i can get the time off work) cam i just pulled had elk on it almost every day, all hours of the day, for three weeks straight. even bedding in front of my camera all day. i think its only 7-10 different elk, but if theyre there that often, thats plenty. only takes one!

by **cnelk** » 05 21, 2013 • [Post 10]

Im with Paul too

I hunt where there is one of largest populations of moose in the state and I see no affect between the two.

I have seen moose rut pits that to some may seem like an elk wallow. But there are differences.

by **Da White Shoe** » 05 22, 2013 • [Post 11]

It's a waterhole... until the elk start rolling around in it and then it becomes a wallow!

You can run into both moose and elk anywhere I've hunted in Colorado and Wyoming. They're in the same places.
Never seen a moose take any interest in an elk, but I know one thing for sure... they will absolutely fall in love with your horse!
If you ever draw a moose tag, just take a mare that's "in season" up with you and tie her to a tree... you won't have to wait long!

by **Bowhunter** » 05 22, 2013 • [Post 12]

That last post is just jibberish to me. ???????????

by **Swede** » 05 23, 2013 • [Post 13]

I have to extrapolate on what I have observed at water holes, as I have never dealt with moose while elk hunting. I have observed elk holding back when other animals are present.
I have long learned not to call from my tree stand as that is more likely to turn elk away, than to bring them in. It is especially important not to answer a bull that bugles off in the nearby forest. Decoys and cattle also will often turn elk away. These things are not absolutes. I have trail cam pictures where a bull came to the water hole within ten minutes of cattle being there. I have watched a bull stand off a wait until two deer left the water hole. BTW, as soon as the deer left the bull came in and got shot. I am satisfied that just like cattle, if the cattle continue to hang around a water hole, elk use will diminish more and more over time. Where I hunt, cattle can completely eliminate elk from an area.
I think the answer to your problem is to get a moose tag.

by **wawhitey** » 05 23, 2013 • [Post 14]

oh i put in for moose every year, i want one bad! ill take a pic of the waterhole in question next time im in that area, maybe then things can be clarified. i didnt put a camera up at the actual water hole, but i did just put one up on a very well used game trail leading to it. be interesting to see what i get on that one,