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Here's some info on the subject that I took out of a book I put together, it's in "ElkNuts PlayBook" I took this portion out of the middle of the Wallows Chapter, there's much more there but too much to print here, but this should help out some!------
There will be days where the wind is really bad & swirling & you can't get to a great wallow without being winded on a bulls approach to the wallow or waterhole. So watching wallows from a distance can be effective. The next best thing if at all possible is to setup below or above this area even if you can't get a good view of it, if you can still see it, well, that's a bonus! A good set of optics can be useful here. Distance from wallow/waterhole to a setup will vary from area to area. Set up where you can get a view of the incoming trail or trails to this wallow/waterhole, most likely the wind will be in the bulls face as he walks on the trail that enters towards the wallow. A bull generally doesn't spend a lot of time there, generally 20 minutes or less & he's gone. In many instances the bull will leave the way he came in. If you're lucky, the wind will now be at his back & hold that way for you to get down there & setup off the trail in hopes of an ambush. Do not call, let him come your way naturally.? Too, if this bull bugles on his way to the wallow, do not call back leave him be, he will continue on in to his destination.
There are sounds and activity to use at a wallow. Calling at wallows can be very productive, never under estimate this approach if you'd like to use sounds here are some thoughts on the matter. If it gets dark at 8:30pm get there at 5:30pm. Such natural sounds as raking or splashing coupled with some light cow calls & voice type squeals and groan type light chuckling can be very effective once you get there. After a couple of minutes of various sounds, then stop for the rest of your stay! No more calling or sounds, you've done all that's needed for any bulls within earshot. At times depending on aggressiveness of elk in the area I may give a scream & a couple short grunts & rake for 30sec or so, then once again shut it down completely. Point is, only do things at a wallow that elk themselves would do, you must "fit in" to their environment! The reason for stopping all sounds is so any approaching elk will think you have left after some time has elapsed. This is important in many cases as they don't like surprises or want a confrontation. Then again sometimes they do and that would be a bonus!
Of course if it's a heavily used wallow/water source and you're very confident of their return because of limited water supply in the area then play it by ear. Calling is not always needed.
But say we are hunting areas with abundant water, and then we must be creative to drum up business even in heavily hunted areas. In this situation selective sounds at low volume many times can really raise the curiosity of nearby elk. There are times that I will use a cow call very softly every 15min or so, this can lead other elk to believe other elk are there near the source.
Once at the wallow and you hear bugling coming your way NEVER call back with a bull sound or cow call. The reason a bull bugles or calls his way in to a wallow is to check to see if anything is there! In many cases if you respond he will or can avoid the area completely, heavily hunted or not, he just may not want a possible confrontation, so keep quiet when this happens! There are times a response can really light the bulls temper up, but the risk is too great to try, he'll most likely show at the wallow anyway, so hold off all calling in this scenario.
If you're sitting a wallow and you see a bull come within sight but he does not come in to it, then let him walk out of sight of your position. Once he does get into some cover and start raking a tree/brush adding in some light hoof stomps. This can really catch his interest and he may sneak back for a look see at this bull. Be willing to try different things when things don't go just right! Whatever you do, do not bugle or cow call at the bull as he walks away! No matter what! Just do things that will give you the best odds considering individual encounters! Can calling be effective at wallows? You bet!!! Be smart in your usage!!!
ElkNut1
