Wallows
- Thread starter Deertick
- Start date
Tick, it all depends. Wallows are much over rated for the most part. I would not waste any time with many of them. Wet spots and even dust can be used as a wallow. Many are used less frequently than once a year.
There are times that wallow activity is more frequent than at others. After mid September the wallow activity drops of precipitously. A wallow where there is sign of frequent elk activity can enhance the possibility of getting a good bull. I like a wallow at a water hole with other things close, like actively used trails. Don\'t look for wallows. Look for where elk frequent.
There are times that wallow activity is more frequent than at others. After mid September the wallow activity drops of precipitously. A wallow where there is sign of frequent elk activity can enhance the possibility of getting a good bull. I like a wallow at a water hole with other things close, like actively used trails. Don\'t look for wallows. Look for where elk frequent.
I dont discredit a wallow as quickly as Swede does.
If I find a wallow, I know I can find elk within 1/2 mile of the area.
But wallows can be tricky. A wallow lower on the mountain is probably used during the evening or night as the elk are down feeding.
A wallow higher on the slope typically can be used anytime during day
But like Swede said, wallow activity gets sporadic as the season goes on.
Maybe because of hunting pressure or the bulls are just wandering more.
Water holes are probably a better choice to spend your time
In the below pic, I called in the bigger bull the next day, same time of day just below this water hole but he hung up at 60yds and I didnt have a shot
If I find a wallow, I know I can find elk within 1/2 mile of the area.
But wallows can be tricky. A wallow lower on the mountain is probably used during the evening or night as the elk are down feeding.
A wallow higher on the slope typically can be used anytime during day
But like Swede said, wallow activity gets sporadic as the season goes on.
Maybe because of hunting pressure or the bulls are just wandering more.
Water holes are probably a better choice to spend your time
In the below pic, I called in the bigger bull the next day, same time of day just below this water hole but he hung up at 60yds and I didnt have a shot
Well I was hoping to find some wallows, I actually have some waypoints in my GPS where I think I\'ll be on some or close to some. I was applying whitetail logic to them and going to hunt them like scrapes. Maybe not after hearing this? I do know scrape hunting can be hit or miss depending on the time of year and a lot of times they are hit at night. I usually look to see if there are multiple licking branches above a scrape, generally means more than one buck. Trail cams have at least proven my theory right on that. Are wallows used by multiple bulls and if so are there any signs to indicate such. I would think one visited by multiple bulls would be the one to spend some time around and maybe do a little calling.
\"Still Hunter\" said:
Ah ha!
\"Waterhole\".
I hear (from Swede, others, and now from Still Hunter) that \"waterholes\" are better than wallows for hunting. I believe it, and I bet the best of all is a waterhole with a wallow in or right beside it.
I have 2 water holes near my camp that look very similar to the photo above. I\'ve seen elk in them a couple times.
How would you use the waterhole pictured by Still Hunter? If you came across this while hunting, how would it change your strategy that day or that week?
JohnFitzgerald
New member
- Mar 31, 2014
- 1,108
+1 Swede, CNELK, and Still. Wallows are fun to look at and can give you an indication that elk are nearby. But I would never sit on one.
jf
jf
