idelkhntr
New member
About five weeks ago while out scouting, I stumbled onto this awesome water hole. When I arrived at the spot there were over 50 Elk bedded down around the spot. They moved out a little, but stayed around while I investigated the area closer. I decided I would put my trial camera up on this spot. In Idaho it's legal to have a camera up during the season. While I was putting the camera up, a lone cow stood about 70 yards away barking. I finished up and walked out of the area in a different direction than the rest of the Elk went as to not spook them any further.
I know the cattleman pretty well that has his cows in the Forest Service area where I hunt. Low and behold, the day after I set my camera, he moved over 500 head of cattle into this grazing unit. And as my luck would have it, it didn't take long for them to find this water hole. Anyway, I go up this past Saturday to see how things are going on this spot. I get there, and no cattle. Good start. I change the memory card on my camera and decide I'm going to sit on the spot for the afternoon. I couldn't check what pictures I had at the time, so I was hopeful the cows had moved out and the Elk moved back in.
After about three hours, I hear a crash coming down the side of the mountain towards me and I start seeing nothing but cattle. They storm in and take over my peaceful water hole. Now it's time to move. Later that evening, I get back to camp and pull my pictures up on my laptop. In four weeks, nearly 5000 pictures. Not one Elk. In fact, not one of wild game. All cattle. So my theory again is proven correct, for me anyway. If they move cattle into my spot, it's time to look for a new spot.
The good part is there is about three weeks left in the season and he is supposed to move his cows in the next week or so. Hopefully this will improve this spot. In the meantime, I'm going to rely on some of my other areas. Just thought I'd vent and share my experience. Good luck to all of you out there giving your all.
I know the cattleman pretty well that has his cows in the Forest Service area where I hunt. Low and behold, the day after I set my camera, he moved over 500 head of cattle into this grazing unit. And as my luck would have it, it didn't take long for them to find this water hole. Anyway, I go up this past Saturday to see how things are going on this spot. I get there, and no cattle. Good start. I change the memory card on my camera and decide I'm going to sit on the spot for the afternoon. I couldn't check what pictures I had at the time, so I was hopeful the cows had moved out and the Elk moved back in.
After about three hours, I hear a crash coming down the side of the mountain towards me and I start seeing nothing but cattle. They storm in and take over my peaceful water hole. Now it's time to move. Later that evening, I get back to camp and pull my pictures up on my laptop. In four weeks, nearly 5000 pictures. Not one Elk. In fact, not one of wild game. All cattle. So my theory again is proven correct, for me anyway. If they move cattle into my spot, it's time to look for a new spot.
The good part is there is about three weeks left in the season and he is supposed to move his cows in the next week or so. Hopefully this will improve this spot. In the meantime, I'm going to rely on some of my other areas. Just thought I'd vent and share my experience. Good luck to all of you out there giving your all.
