How far will elk travel for water?

[82ndreddevil]

So I am planning out some potential hunting areas and I got a question for you guys. I am using topo maps and google earth to locate as many water holes and tanks within an area. My question is how far will elk travel from their bedding areas to a water hole? I know the easy answer is "as far as they need too". But should I just be looking at ridges that are in the immediate area of water or will they go a mile just from bedding to water? The reason I ask is that there is a burn area that I would like to check out but its about a mile to the nearest water hole. Should I assume that the distance is too great and that they probably won't be there? My hunt will be during the archery season. Thanks guys.

[ElkNut1]

You are correct, elk will go as far as they need to! (grin) 1 mile to an elk is a walk in the park for you & I. 3 miles + is not out of the question in arid areas like high desert & such. In timbered country we have areas where elk bed from springs, small creeks & such no more than a couple hundred yards & closer. So depending on availability will depend on distance traveled. All in all inside a mile is really nothing for elk.

ElkNut1

[Swede]

Your water hole could be a real jewel if it is between the bedding and feeding area and the elk are not exposed getting to it. A quick check or the trails and the water should tell you how good it is. Be careful not to fill the area with your scent when you wait for elk there. You can change a place from elk heaven, to a place they used to visit, just by stinking up the area.

[Indian Summer]

1 to 3 miles is nothing to an elk.

But I bet they find water closer that's not o the map.

[82ndreddevil]

Thank you guys for the replays! You all make a lot of sense, and bring in good perspective. Just this last year I started taking greater measures to not contaminate such areas by following a few rules I made for myself. Basically no snacking or relieving myself in an area like water holes or any set ups. Take care of that stuff between set ups and I carry a zip lock bag of baking soda to wash my mouth out throughout the day. Also there is deffinately a lot of truth about there being water in areas that are not indicated on a map or Google earth. In fact I have found that often it depends on what version of satellite imagery you look at that may or may not indicate water. Google earth showed some water holes that were full of water where as the imagery on one of my apps showed those holes bone dry. I am not sure on how often Google earth updates. Thanks guys!

[Indian Summer]

If they can smell your breath they can certainly smell some other body parts. I hate baking soda!

[82ndreddevil]

If they can smell your breath they can certainly smell some other body parts. I hate baking soda!

Yea I know, there is no way to remove the human odors. However I feel like it may help REDUCE my odors. Even if it doesn't help at all it at least makes me more confident which helps.

[Lefty]

I have pics of the same elk out in an Idaho desert the same night traveled 12 miles and passed on the only water around.
At one time I thought hunting water in the desert would make for a great elk hunt. While elk did show up for water on some tanks, and guzzlers.
they walked past even more often. In my area green crops were more important.
Opening day a few years ago, 6:30 PM , upper 90's and the elk just strolled on by, it was three miles to the nearest irrigated field.
Those same tanks and guzzlers even when empty elk still come and hang out around them. Elk will pass up fresh water and hike straight to a cornfield in the milk stage or a beet field.

[Swede]

I try to reduce my odor. It is not perfect or foolproof, but it helps.

Lefty makes a great point here. I have seen the same thing many times. When I consider setting up a tree stand, I look at the evidence on the ground. If the signs of use are marginal, then I look elsewhere.
Look for places with much sign and trails coming in, or very near. The only way to know if a water hole is going to get use is to look at the evidence. There are some great looking water holes that are a sight to just look at. They are pristine, with clear water coming to the surface in an oasis of large trees. A beautiful location to have a picnic or even to set up a camp. Don't bother to hang a stand there if you want to shoot an elk. Go for a stinking muddy water hole, that looks like the hogs could have torn it up. Just make sure it is recurring use. I love a water hole that stinks for weeks and the water stays muddy all the time. Sometimes one water hole is getting used and a nearby one is ignored.