Help identifying sign

[Blp440]

Hey everyone,

I stumbled upon this the other day about 80 yes from what looked like elk beds and probably 8-10 rubs on trees sprinkling the area too. Is this a wallow or a scrape like a deer would do? There was a small amount of water in it but has dried up now. Is this something I should be hunting near now and into next week? Just not sure because it's my first year elk hunting, any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Blp440]

Sorry about the pictures I'm trying to figure this out haha

 

[Slugz]

I'm guessing but hard to tell.....looks like an area a bull tore up......usually in frustration.....mock fighting. Least that's my guess from the pics. Most wallows are large enough for at least an elk to get in and roll around in...for the most part.

WRT the beds if they are fresh and you didn't bump the herd they may use that bedding area again in a few days or sooner. Just don't let your scent blow into the bedding area.

 

[Blp440]

Well I bumped an elk out 2 weeks ago on accident not knowing it was bedding. Checking the other day it has been used and more rubs. The beds had big pee spots in them and poop. I probly screwed myself lol

 

[ivorytip]

elk always surprise me, seems like when I bump them in October or November they haul ass out of the country but in September they don't seem as eager to leave to far. a wallow I found hidden in the middle of a big dark timber basin a few years ago turned out to be a big bedding area that I spooked deer and elk out of several times. always to find fresh sign with each visit. I set up a blind near the wallow and seen everything but a big bull come bed near the area.

 

[Blp440]

Thanks guys!

 

[Blp440]

How early do elk usually bed by this time of year?

 

[Gr8bawana]

I doubt there will be much activity at that wallow since you say it has dried up. You may get a few animals checking it but nothing like there would be if there was water.

 

[Slugz]

How early do elk usually bed by this time of year?

Tough question to nail down as weather, date of month, etc etc etc......etc. Can change that. That being said as a general rule of thumb, in the am elk are on the edges of feeding areas working their way into timber and towards their bedding. They will sometimes take up to an hour or two to reach it. Bed, chew cud for a few hours then get restless, feed close, water, bed again then start working their way back to their primary feeding area about 4pm. Now that is a very big broad brush definition and timeline, almost reluctant to post that as there are so many factors that change that daily.....then add in hunting pressure.