Male elk pictures9/12/2023 Elk nearly or completely step in their front tracks with their back hooves when walking slowly. There are actually four tracks in the photo. The next photo is of tracks made seconds earlier by a spike bull (I watched him make them, then snapped a photo). These are not fast set rules, but true more often than not. A bull elk pellet will usually be pointed on one end and dimpled on the other. To verify the female status of the elk we were following, it helped to notice that both ends of the elk droppings had a point on it. We had a cow and a calf just ahead of us somewhere. The spray was spread out and hit the ground in a “girl splash” instead of a “boy stream”. On the fresh snow that morning we also saw fresh urine. On the same cold morning, loose, moist pellets are fresh. If it is well below freezing and ice has formed underneath the bottom most pellets, or the clump is frozen together, that lets you know it has been a while since they were dropped. Cow elk often spread them a little wider and while walking. If they are still steaming in the cold morning air, they’re close by!īulls will often, but not always leave their droppings in one neat pile. If they still shine from moisture and each one spreads like grainy peanut butter or room temperature chocolate chips when you slide your boot across them, it could have been minutes, or an hour or two, depending on the weather. If the droppings are dry and cracked, they were not left recently. Besides, you’re also providing scent cover for him since the elk are close! The Poop on Elk PoopĮlk droppings are bigger and longer than deer droppings. After all, you touched it to give him a freshness report. If you hunt with a partner, you can always wipe your hands on his shoulder. If the poop leaves a stain on your fingers, it’s fresh! A fresh pellet will also often stick to your finger with just a little pressure. How do I know? I picked some up and felt them with my bare hands. The fresh droppings were still moist and warm. There they would find thicker timber to bed down for the day.Īlong with the tracks more elk sign appeared here and there. They were slowly feeding as they moved deliberately down the shaded side of the valley. The two sets of elk tracks were ambling along from side to side, back and forth. Everything written on it is new and up to date.Īfter a long, arduous climb in the dark we found fresh elk sign in the form of tracks. I like fresh snow in an area that I already know holds elk. The snow was fresh, so any elk sign would be fresh also. We were looking for fresh elk sign in six or eight inches of snow in a place where I have killed several elk. He had a cold and was not really into the early morning trek. When he was sixteen, my son and I were hunting early on the last day of rifle season. Successful elk hunts result when hunters stay alert and always expect to see elk! Too late, I was being negative and not prepared for his silent arrival. I immediately met eye to eye with the bull that had left the droppings. I made an estrous cow call and waited a few minutes, then started walking. I was tired from walking and seeing or hearing nothing all morning. The third week of the Montana archery season this year (2008), I found very fresh bull droppings. In archery, it may mean you should nock and arrow and make a few cow calls. Ever been busted by game animals when you thought you were concealed? Maybe they sensed your energy field! A HECS Stealthscreen hunting suit keeps them from confirming what they see.įinding Elk: Hunting the Right Place at the Right Timeįresh elk sign may mean you should pick up your eyes, ears and nose and be prepared.
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