Members Answer:
Elk are big animals, thus they need a lot of water. They are also cud-chewers and need water to chew their cuds. Early in the morning, after they have finished eating, elk will drink before heading to their bedding area to rest and chew their cud. Find a water source the elk are using and set up a blind or stand somewhere along the trail.
During the hours they are in their bedding area (roughly 8 or 9 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m.) elk will from time to time get up and move around and do a little grazing or browsing. Frequently, between roughly 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the bulls will go check their wallows and drink. Find a wallow that is being used, set up with the wind in your favor, and wait.
- Jim Hawkins, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Elk usually water late in the evening, throughout the night and early in the morning. But there is no way of knowing for sure when or where an elk will go to get a drink of water. In central Montana, where I live, there is water available at many locations, even in a drought.
Scout the water sources in your area and learn which ones are used frequently. Don’t spend too much time in the area, though. Your human scent could make the elk change water sources.
- Dennis Tandberg, Harlowton, Montana
When do elk go to water? Whenever they get thirsty. They are most likely to go to water early in the morning and late in the afternoon. But I once saw a group of spike bulls watering at a hidden spring at midday. Know where water is available in your area and pay special attention to waterholes that are concealed, not out in the open.
- David W. Stewart, East Helena, Montana
Next Question: (Answers will appear in the November-December 2006 Bugle)
When an elk is killed in warm weather in extremely remote country with only walk-in access, and it will take a couple of days to pack it out, what is the best way to preserve the meat? How can you tell if the meat is spoiled?
- Scott Frost, Embudo, New Mexico
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