Ever Dig A Hole?

[Swede]

Has anyone ever dug a pit to hunt out of for elk. Were you in a basin where the thermals would normally mess you up in the morning and evening? How well did it work? What were the benefits and Pit falls?

[otcWill]

A good friend used this tactic to kill a great bull in an LE unit a few years back. His tag was for a desert unit and there was almost nothing for cover. We'd glass bulls down in the sage every morning and just couldn't close the deal on them moving back to the pinyons to bed. Finally we decided to dig a hole at midday and he spent the night in it out in the middle of the sage. The next morning he had elk all over him and made a great shot on a whopper. Great hunt! I won't soon forget it

[Lefty]

Pits are not legal of BLM property.
How ever I did place a blind in a hole about 2 feet deep where the rancher scooped out fill .
I have a pic at home of a spike walking past at 90 yards 6:30 Pm and 97 degrees out

[ElkNut1]

Haven't dug a hole but have used an up rooted hole left by a tree falling! Does that count? (grin)

ElkNut1

[Swede]

Haven't dug a hole but have used an up rooted hole left by a tree falling! Does that count? (grin)

I don't know. How well did it work? I am thinking about digging a hole at the edge of a meadow, and waiting in it when the thermals are messing up my tree stand hunt. I will fill it back when I am done. Will it work?

[ElkNut1]

I didn't spend much time in it, less than a day! I'm too much of a runner & gunner! (grin) When bulls are bugling or I get one to fire off I am gone! (grin) I would be very careful in your area because in flat areas wind can really swirl, one whiff of you & it's game over!

I think it's cool Otcwill's buddy pulled it off but no doubt he had both concealment & the wind or he would have buggered the elk. All in all I like his creativity, very nice!

ElkNut1

[stringunner]

Swede- why do you think digging a hole will work better than your tree stand? Won't your sent be on the ground then? And if so, what good is the hole vs sitting in a blind on the ground? Just trying to see what you are thinking?

[Swede]

Stringunner, I really don't know. I wonder the same things you ask, but would a hole keep human scent hidden when the thermals are bringing the air currents down? Would a plastic tarp over the hole I am in really help? In the past, what has happened is, the tree stand was not high enough in the evening and morning when there were downdrafts. I am looking for an alternative.

[ElkNut1]

Can you move up or down the trail you're on to a spot where the thermals are more predictable?

ElkNut1

[Lefty]

Ive had quite a few elk "downwind while in a box blind.
I know some blind companies talk about scent containment. Something must change.
I also dump zeolite on the floor , But I dont belive that is a cure all either

[Swede]

Bull at the spring.

club.jpg (263.46 KiB) Viewed 6705 times

The place where I am considering the pit is in an open meadow about 7-8 acres in size. There is a spring smack dab in the middle. Most of the trees around the meadow are too small to hang a stand in and the ones available are at least 40 yards out. I sat in the best tree available there at 40 yards away, and was busted because my scent was constantly going down to the spring area. Trails come in from several directions to the spring/wallow. I could easily go up a trail, but would miss some or most elk coming in. I watched The Club the evening before the season opener, but he got wind of me and never came back.

[CurlyTail]

That is a cool bull!

I think the pit would partially contain your scent. Would probably sill need to be downwind.

I had not thought to dig a hole as a blind , but the thought had crossed my mind to dig a bathtub sized pool in a trickle of a stream high on the mountain, and try to create a waterhole or wallow that the elk would use and I place a tree stand or ground blind near. I can think of one valley in particular that always has a trickle of water, but absolutely no pools.

Probably illegal in Colorado but I don't know for sure.

If I dug a small pool, do you think the elk would even use it?

[ElkNut1]

Hey swede, that's a one of a kind bull there! I'd try for him too!

Yes, possibilities are very good in digging a wallow & elk would use it if in their area of traveling to or through. It's worked in the past! It's like a lot of elk hunting, location, location, location!

ElkNut1

[stringunner]

What about a blind as suggested previously set up on the predominantly down wind side of the meadow if there are no good trees? I'm trying to figure out how big of a hole you would have to dig? How deep? The other question is if it's an open meadow what about cover even when in the hole? I'm intrigued. I hope you take lots of pictures. Has olympushunt offered to dig the hole?

[Swede]

Oly is a digger. He just needs to be handed a shovel and told how deep to go. I think that is a safe statement as I don't think he is monitoring this forum.
Maybe the portable blind is a good option, but I don't like them. I have two of them, but just don't like much about them.

Instructions for Oly: Dig the hole 42 inches deep with a diameter of 48 inches. Lightly brush in the sides and front of the hole, so I can view the area without being seen, but do not pile the brush over 6 inches high. I will need a good wood block 17 inches high to sit on. I will be back to check on you after my morning hunt. Enjoy your morning.

[under H2O hunter]

swede Your bulls brother died last season...

[Swede]

Brother? That bull could be his twin. I plan to scout the area where he hangs out this summer. I think I may post a sign for him to read. "Warning Club! I'm coming back with a new plan to finish you off."
I don't totally understand the appeal, but I would like to invite him to my house for dinner.