what time of day do elk drink

Since the wallows usually look well used, I can only guess that they are used well after sun down and before sun up.Seems like they water at night where I've hunted in Idaho and Montana. You'll occasionally get some during the day, but not as many as you'd think. there are too many factors to be able to say elk routinely water at a certain time. Stuck my heard bull at 3:30ish this year. In the area I hunt in Wyoming, I sat on a wallow on the west side of the mountain. I've seen a good number of other very big bulls come to water during times that most of us are in camp eating lunch and doing other stuff between the morning and evening hunts. during the rut bulls may water during the day while the cows are bedded if water is close. Granted I am talking during the hotter bowhunt type September dates---- As such, they eat and drink a lot to sustain themselves. I'm guessing late afternoon after a long nap in the hot weather. Since they're ruminants, they can take on a big load of water at a time and the stomach will hold it until needed. I guess you just never know.

Just some thoughts from what we have seen over the years. The water sources getting hit during the day are closer to bedding areas than others.

I have to take back that I have never had elk come into water all in the Pm Thats the way its been in Montana. The North side of the seep was less thick, and that happened to be our way in. Don't know. I only sat over water once, and a bull came in right at dark. Had a buddy from Arkansas take another friend down to southern Colorado for an over the counter elk hunt. I have a trailcam set up on a wallow. If it's near water, it will probably drink less at a time and more often. We found a seep that had pooled in several places and had been wallowed in repeatedly. There is another wallow on the south side of the mountain is in the middle of a meadow and it never gets any elk during daylight hours. I've gotten thousands of trail cam pics on water during and leading up to the archery season, and I've found it depends on the area and also the location of the water in relation to other things. I need to get a couple cameras and see what happens.First and last light but mostly at night. Colorado of course was very dry all summer. Let me narrow it down: while it is light in the AM/PM when coming/going to bed. Elk drink out of it as well. elk often get enough water from this moisture in their feed.

Nearest water that we know of was 1/2 mile away at the bottom If it's isolated and surrounded by cover, they feel more secure and will use it whenever the urge hits them. But usually it's just a "moseying" feed in that direction until they get there. I shot my elk at 3:00PM. Thinking with a very dry summer in store that sitting a water hole may be a good option this fall. For example if elk are active until 9:30AM (then they bed) and it is warm (60's - 70's) have you noticed elk water right before heading to bed down or is watering anytime several hours before enough?

3 on private n dark on public.

I think every situation is different. Early mornings--mid-hot-afternoons--or even late in the evening before sunset...basically----at anytime..... My buddy and I hunted Colorado this year.

Die, or eat snow?at minus 10 below there is no running water here. Very good info guys keep it coming. If an elk has to travel a ways for water, it will likely tank up a couple times a day. I have been a successful archery deer hunter for many years now and decided to go after an elk this year.

But when I was hunting Utah in 2009 I had them water at all hours . What have you seen.When they want to! ... you cant answer this question because there is no end. I almost never see them water in the mornings before heading to bed, however. Made it till 11:30 am then got up and started still hunting. Made it about 15 minutes from the water hole when a shot rang out. If the location is more open, I would expect them to hit the water more during first/last light and at night. I believe water holes like these are near bedding areas. The area we used to hunt, surprisingly most of the nicer bulls would come in during the rut around late morning to early afternoon alone. I suspect the preponderance of predators more recently has changed elk behavior.

Just wondering what time most elk tend to water? What time have you noticed elk water. The last three bulls I harvested (2010 2011 2012) had been in the early evening while they were coming to water. Understanding Elk by TR Michels article copyright.

I have very little experience with this personally, but thought I would chime in with what happened for me this year on my elk hunt If you had stayed at that spot you probably would have discovered that you would not have seen many more elk for a while. Often I have had elk skirt by my water hole on their way to their bedding area about mid morning. Where I live now (NW corner of Colorado), it seems tough since most of the elk around here are using the river for a water source. Walked back to the waterhole and a hunter from Denver had just walked up and shot a 330 inch bull standing in the water hole the guy left. the type of vegetation is a factor. 90% of the time, it is at 0 dark thirty. And have never got a photo of any coming in after day light. I have another area where there is a wallow on the south side of the mountain.