Wallows after the rut?

[Ghost]

Is it worth while to check out wallows say the end of October? Seen what looks like a few on google earth in the area Im going to be hunting, wonder if its worth the effort to scope them out or do they stopped getting used after the ruts over?

[Wapiti]

Ghost,

In my experience as the rut approaches wallows are hot........But as the ruts moves along and late into October like you are asking about wallows are a waist of time. The bulls have all the cows they want and the weather isn't as hot and no bugs so the elk are not as interested. Now this is my area in Alberta and it may be different in the hotter climates.

Wallows will still smell elky but I think you would be better off hunting where they are feeding or as I like to do......where they bed !!! Get up early and get on a ridge and just sit and listen. About 8-9 am the elk should be close to there bedding areas and the bulls that time of year should be vocal. Let them sound off all on there own and then sneak down in on them. Keeping the wind in your favor. Be careful and watch the thermals constantly as they will be changing around then. Hot air rises and cold air falls !! The air currents should be hitting you in the face as you head down after them. If it's not wait for a bit longer for the wind current to change. The elk have all the time in the world so be patient.

[Swede]

Wallows are good from about August 20 thru September 12th. That may not be exact, but it is close. Wallows may get hit outside of those dates, but that time covers the most of the wallow activity. Personally I would never wait at a wallow unless there are good active trails nearby, and water to drink. Too many wallows get hit just once in a year or even not at all. Wait at a wallow only when there is clear evidence that location is getting frequent use. Normally that is not just the wallow.

[ElkNut1]

Cort, I agree with these gents! Late Oct wallows can be a real crap shoot & your odds are extremely low for success. Glassing feeding, bedding, transition between the two or escape routes would be top choice for me as the season progresses especially with a rifle in hand.

ElkNut1

[Ghost]

Thanks guys, I was thinking that was the case, but I know the one and only bull Ive ever shot was with cows and bugling the day before, and the one my dad shot was with cows and chasing, so since they were acting rutty, why not wallows as well.

Its back to walk glass, walk glass directly followed by more walking and glassing

[ElkNut1]

Cort, congrats on the bull! Here's a story for you>>>>>>>>>>


A few years back I had a good friend (Scott) stop by our place before heading off on his elk hunt a couple hours away. He was heading to elk camp to meet guys who were already hunting there & they told him the bulls were bugling good & it was the last week of Oct. He asked me what he should do if he came across a bull bugling at that time of his rifle hunt. I told him if this happens to get 150 - 175 yards away & go right to the bugling bull while using very excited cow calls as if she were excited about his presence. This should excite the bull into continued bugling giving away his location as he (Scott) goes right to him. I told him if you get to a spot that you cannot get through because of large opening etc. to stop there, once the bugles again give him a challenge bugle & a couple of those excited cow calls & wait there not exposing yourself. --- Well as good fortune would have it a very similar situation unfolded with a bugling bull during the 1 st day of his hunt in 12" of snow, Scott tells me he did pretty much as I had advised during his encounter & a nice 6 point came into the edge of an opening looking for this bull & cow.

He said before he came into view he was bugling non stop & was really worked up, Scott shot him at 75yds. He noticed when he got to the bull that he was covered from head to toe in mud! He back tracked through the snow a short distance & there was a wallow tore up good! Yes, that bull was wallowing when Scott heard his first bugles. Thing is this is rare & can't be counted on everyday or every year of ones late hunt. A guy could hunt for many years & not have this happen again. As you can see nothing is written in stone when hunting wallows for late season, your odds are very slim for success as wallow use is pretty much non-existent but anything can happen! (grin) You just never know?????

ElkNut1