Desired water source?

[iccyman001]

The area I am hunting this year has springs, creeks, and a few ponds.

Do elk have a preferred source of water that they are going to hit?
Also, do they need water daily or can they go a day or two without it.

 

[elkmtngear]

The area I am hunting this year has springs, creeks, and a few ponds.

Do elk have a preferred source of water that they are going to hit?
Also, do they need water daily or can they go a day or two without it.

It is my belief that elk water multiple times in a 24 hour period, under normal circumstances. But not necessarily in the same place.

High springs are always a good bet, especially on timbered ridges/ benches when the temps are warmer. They will hit the lower sources in the evenings and at night, but will use a high water source anytime between daylight and evening. Midday is a great time for them to sneak in to a spring, and you may find a muddied up wallow wherever the springs express on the ridge.

It has a lot to do with where they are bedding/ feeding...takes some detective work (and a lot of boot leather)! :think:

 

[Stringunner]

Where we hunt, springs are the better areas to catch elk watering. The ponds in the area tend to be a bovine magnet and often appear within eyesight (or very close) to main roads thus not a great spot to sit and wait for elk, unless you want to sit in the back of your pick up truck. :eh:

The creeks generally dry up though there are good flowing creeks in some canyon bottoms. I imagine elk drink there as they are passing through, but unless you can identify a very specific travel route through a creek, I wouldn\'t waste much time sitting on creeks.

As elkmtngear said, when I\'m sitting springs I want to sit the ones that are high on the ridge side and near bedding areas. We have noticed elk watering at all times during the day on several springs usually on their way to and from bedding spots, but if the springs are close to bedding areas, the midday need for a drink does draw elk in.

 

[iccyman001]

Thank you guys!

 

[OldMan]

Where I hunt this is the water source. Lots of elk tracks. I\'ve taken a few elk in this area off in the timber a bit.

 

[iccyman001]

Awesome pictures, thank you Pete. I will keep my eyes open for something similiar and I will look for lots of tracks as well.