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Re: Wallow Tips!

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Re: Wallow Tips!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 05, 2012 •  [Post 1]

When do elk use Wallows the most? The last 10 days of Aug.
to 2-3 weeks into Sept. This has been our experience in several
states. After that time frame, if you give or take a few days it is
likely you will see wallow use fall dramatically. A lot of the bulls
will hit them at night after this time frame because bulls start to
get pre-occupied with rutting activities. Wallows are still in use
but more sporadically. Hot or cold weather can also be a contributing
factor in amount of use.
As a side-note, I’ve seen bulls use wallows as late as mid Oct.
When I say use, I don’t mean one was near one or merely getting
a drink from it. I mean full blown use where he gets covered in
mud! My good friend shot a bull while he was aprox 100 yards or so from an unseen wallow.
The bull was a muddy mess and came running to his cow in
distress sounds & short bugle scream - and to boot there was 8” of snow on the ground
and coming down hard! This goes to show you that wallows are
not just a hot weather item and that a cow in heat can change
everything when a bull gets heated up and ready to compete for a
hot cow’s attention.
By the same token, bulls do not use the same wallows every
year. There will be years that some wallows are good bets but
another year they will show no use at all. This can happen for a
variety of reasons… maybe a particular bull was killed off, the
elk decided to move to a different vicinity, or different bulls have
moved in and made their own wallows. Obviously lack of water,
hunting pressure, or the fact that better feed and water may be in
another area can also contribute to not having wallow activity.
This is why it is imperative to find active wallows each season.
I really love the highest water/wallow on the mountain. They
seem to be elk magnets and are away from hunting activity.
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ElkNut1
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Re: Wallow Tips!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 05, 2012 •  [Post 2]

You will find wallows on benches, in parks, small or large
meadows, or by following small creeks or seeps on the mountain.
These can lead to nice wallows in thick shaded timber or brushy
wet areas. Often you will find well used trails or several of them
meandering through the woods. These game trails can take you
right to or very near a wallow and many times they can be found
near bedding areas.
Fresher activity at wallows or at waterholes is always good to
look for. To some degree a hunter can do certain things to find out
if they are being used and how frequent the use. If there are little
to no tracks, it’s a good bet elk are not using them. Game cameras
are best used for this when positioned around late August
before hunting season starts.
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Re: Wallow Tips!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 05, 2012 •  [Post 3]

Here's a wallow that is old & shows no recent activity, notice the difference between this one & the above photos!
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Re: Wallow Tips!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 05, 2012 •  [Post 4]

This photo is of a natural mineral lick area found through the west, these are excellent "destination" spots elk will return to, we've found evenings were best! A trail camera on such ones left for 10 days can tell you volumes! This is great place for a treestand or ground blind! Make sure the wind is in your favor when you choose a "setup" spot where you can see the elk trails entering these lick or wallow areas!
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Re: Wallow Tips!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 05, 2012 •  [Post 5]

In this photo notice the bank edges closely, they are not smooth or rolled up like in a bathtub, this is a waterhole elk use but there is no sign of wallowing! This is a waterhole at best!
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ElkNut1
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Joined: 05 11, 2012
Location: Idaho