Tips for Elk Hunting Using Water and Wallows

Elk require a fair amount of water and creating strategies around water sources can be a great way to pin down sneaky bulls. If you can figure out where they are using water, bedding and generally feeding, intercepting them becomes a real possibility.

When it comes to elk hunting using water and wallows, here are a few tips to remember…

The Caveat of Using Water Based Strategies

In areas where water is very plentiful, the odds of intercepting elk at a water source are significantly reduced. There may be too many options to try and reliably ambush elk at a single location. What’s more, areas with abundant water also tend to have widely distributed food sources.  In general, this can lead to more widely distributed elk and less predictable movements.

As a general rule, elk hunting strategies that revolve around water sources are more effective in arid areas. Locating isolated water sources with feed nearby would be an ideal scenario. While this can be a great strategy in some places, it can be very difficult in others. 

Sitting on Wallows

Viable water sources aren’t always found in the form of clear running streams and creeks. Elk frequently utilize small springs and seeps. During periods of warm weather and in the pre-rut timeframe, bulls will often use springs and seeps for wallowing. If you find a wallow that is frequently used, consider setting up nearby. Fresh tracks, rubs and evidence of regular traffic means you may have found a perfect spot to intercept a bull.

If the wallows and springs have little to no sign, it doesn’t mean they won’t be used but the odds are clearly diminishing. Look for alternative water sources in the surrounding area and adjust based on sign and the results of glassing efforts.  

Timing Water Use

There is no exact science to timing a bull’s appearance at a water source. But use the conditions and available sign to create a logical approach. During periods of hot, dry weather in September for example, bulls will frequently go to water or wallow during the late morning or mid-day hours after their harem of cows is safely bedded down nearby. In other scenarios, elk may be using water sources at first or last light.

Listening and glassing are two ways to determine which water sources are being used regularly, and at what time of day. Do your best to pattern elk movement between bedding and feeding areas to see where water enters into the equation.  

Keep in mind that in some scenarios, elk may be watering at night and then moving to higher ground in the dark or low-light hours. In a situation like this, it can be an effective strategy to try and intercept elk at first or last light as they move to or from those bedding areas.

Tips for the Setup

When setting up for any ambush, whether that’s on a water source or a travel route, pay close attention to scent and the wind. That includes what the wind is doing when you arrive, and also what it may be doing several hours from then.

For example, if you arrive at your ambush point before daylight or in the early morning hours, thermals will be moving downhill if there’s no other prevailing wind. However, as the sun comes up and begins to warm the air, those thermals can begin rising and moving your scent uphill.  Keep these factors in mind as you choose a place to set up.

Finally, consider shooting lanes and your comfortable shooting range for whichever weapon you are carrying. If all goes according to plan and the elk show up, you may be pinned down and unable to move and adjust your position. So choose the spot wisely, where you’ll be in range for a shot and with clear shooting lanes.

Often times, this requires a little guesswork. You may not know exactly where the elk will appear or what direction they’ll be coming from. But based on your observations, nearby bedding areas and any other clues, do your best to choose your position accordingly.

Contact Us With Questions

If you have questions about guided elk hunts in Colorado or if you’d like to chat about availability, please give Adam a call at (208) 691-3014 or send us a message.