Wasatch Water Hole

[maxtred]

I have a Wasatch LE archery tag and would like a response from the guys that have had the tag in the past that sat water. Does it seem effective, did you use a tree stand or hunt from the ground. I wonder before I try and find a water hole to set up on if all the snow this year may leave too much water in multiple areas for this to be a viable tactic. I think I have the patience for it I just wonder how many guys went this route.

Last year my wife had the any weapon early Wasatch tag and we dug some bulls out of heavy timber, it was a great way to hunt, it fit our style well. With the bulls bugling we were able to track them down that way and go in after them. I would only blow the occasional cow call to mask our noise as we were going through the timber. I never heard any bugles during the archery season that is what has prompted me to think about sitting water.

 

[MudRunner]

We sat the water for the majority of the archery hunt last year. We had plenty of animals come in, but for the most part they'd come in during the night. Once they started scraping velvet it died down a lot more and nothing big like what we were seeing in the cameras ever hit the water during the day. Towards the hunt we abandoned the tree stand and started chasing bugles. Finally took a bull on the last few days of the hunt.

If the elk are talking I'd probably hunt them on foot, otherwise you'd be smart to hunt an active water hole and keep a few eyes up high doing some spotting for you just in case the water doesn't pay off.

 

[Cam@strawberry]

This year will probably present some new challenges for archers especially due to the incredible amount of water elk will not be limited to just a few water holes....they will have water in every canyon.....also the growth will likely be so high shots will be hard to come by patience and excellent glass work will probably serve best this year IMHO

 

[ChubbyTuna]

Sat water last year and took my bull over water. Sat for 8+ hours before he came in at 6:30. Had a trailcam out and not much action on water the first half of the season. Way more activity the last half with lots of bulls right at sunrise or earlier. Not much middle of the day and less at sunset. I hunted the Currant Creek area.

 

[patientlywaiting]

I think you're right Berrysblaster. I spend last Friday snopping around in an area on the Wasatch and there was water seeping out of every sidehill, not to mention the 2'-3' deep snow up under some of the pines in the steep shady draws. But everything is sure pretty and green and.... smelled like elk.

 

[Sniper1]

I been up there a few times and the roads were rivers i could not believe it. But very green and i agree with the smellin of elk. The bulls are gonna have good nourishment this year. Gonna be a good year i think. As far as the water holes though im sure this summer is gonna get record heats and dry it all up anyway so i would have a few back up water holes.

 

[Cam@strawberry]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-11 AT 03:14PM (MST)[p]Even with record heat and dry, the amount of water still up on the mountains, and the record cold spring has already done the damage. Most of the grass above 8500 feet still hasn't even begun to grow and with ample water still coming down the hills, the rising temps will have a jungle clear thru august at least.

Water holes and wallers will be on nearly every pine face, it is gonna be an awesome year for growth and I would wager that some truly monster bulls come out of the state and unit this year, however i also think that success rates will be down for archers in particular.

Oh and Paitently with a supposed 7700 head of elk on this unit it better smell like elk ;-) haha