Wallows

american_jackal · Jul 17, 2018

I was wondering if some of you would share your knowledge with me. For a background, I have drawn a Manti muzzy tag, and have been on the unit about 9 days since drawing the tag. I have very little experience with elk. I have placed cameras on water, and spent time behind glass.

What I am having a hard time with is finding wallows. So what is it I should be looking for in the field, and also on OnxMaps, or google earth?

I know water obviously. I have hiked into areas that hold water, or springs, but have not been able to find any wallows.

I would think with the heat we are having this year, wallows should be getting visited often.

Any advice or help would be very much appreciated.

Gator · Jul 17, 2018

To early for them to be hitting wallows hard.
Put your Cam's on Waterholes that have tracks around them.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

fullthrottle · Jul 17, 2018

Yep, wallows are generally made and used per-rut, rut. You aren't going to find any active wallows this time of year. If you can find seeps/springs with a lot of last year or years rubs around there is a good chance that will become an active wallow this year. I also wouldn't waste a bunch of time hunting a wallow just because it's been used before unless it is in a dry area, and there are only a few water sources around. With wallows you need to strike when the iron is hot. I killed my last 2 bulls sitting on wallows. It is a lot of fun when they come in.

BUGLEnmIN · Jul 17, 2018

Guys nailed it.Way to early for them to be hitting wallows. I have several that I have marked that I found during the hunts . Some are used so much you can find them year round just because how deep they are.

elkassassin · Jul 17, 2018

You Boys Best start payin Attention!

They Are Wallowing!

I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!

BracNSW · Jul 17, 2018

Guess I need to spend more time sitting wallows...

Bet elk assassin isn't giving up his honey hole but he might give advice on aim points, for those who need it.

fullthrottle · Jul 18, 2018

Your wallows are a lot better than mine

Zeke · Jul 18, 2018

> You Boys Best start payin
>Attention!
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>They Are Wallowing!
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Worth another peek!
That's a couple fine trophies right there!!
Thanks Bess!

Gator · Jul 19, 2018

NOW That's just plain dirty.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

dirtclod Az. · Jul 19, 2018

God made dirt...dirt don't hurt!

Gator · Jul 19, 2018

Those two believe in just rub some dirt on it.
I guess that where that saying came from.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Servehim · Jul 19, 2018

Thought we were talking ELK Wallows. I depress ....

goofyelk · Jul 22, 2018

Check out this little undiscovered beauty I found this morning!

I really like Bess's,
But I think this one will work better for elk.
Wink

Soccerdude · Jul 22, 2018

That looks like a gem. Fo guys use stands or sit on ground when they hunt wallows?

goofyelk · Jul 22, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jul-22-18 AT 06:42PM (MST)[p]Depends in the layout.
I use both.
The pic above will be a tree stand.
It's on a steep maintain hill side. A blind would not even work.

american_jackal · Jul 23, 2018

Great find goofy

BeanMan · Jul 23, 2018

It is amazing how quickly a small bit of water will turn into a wallow ?all of a sudden?.

Hasbean

notrace · Jul 25, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-18 AT 03:45AM (MST)[p]Like others said you need to look for water sources and springs. I've seen elk go to a spot that there was no visible water and they will just start digging at the ground and end up making a wallow.

I would guess in 2 to 3 weeks they will start doing this as the pre rut kicks in.

Good wallows away from traffic can be a hot ticket especially for archery hunters.

GOOD LUCK!!

Be careful what you wish for it can sometimes work out.

BeanMan · Jul 26, 2018

I'd loved the hear how you dealt with that elk.

notrace · Jul 26, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-18 AT 03:59PM (MST)[p]Thank God I had 3 others there and some rope to get it out.

And yes I got really muddy.

Secret to hunting wallows is let them get raking, digging, splashing and acting stupid then draw back and shoot them before they look like a great big mud pie... lol No gutting job is worse then a muddy, wet, urine, soaked 800 pound bull elk that's laying in a highly used wallow!!