Sitting water

Muley88 · Aug 29, 2024

How do you guys pick what water hole might be most effective? Have 2 days to hunt a new area, but 4 different water holes that seem very similar. Any different tips to pick one over the other?

Servehim · Aug 29, 2024

???, maybe look for recent tracks....just a start .

Bluehair · Aug 31, 2024

Pick the one that has the best ambush opportunities?

JPickett · Aug 31, 2024

Sounds boring

Soj51hopeful · Aug 31, 2024

Pick one according to the wind.

wweaver79 · Aug 31, 2024

Combination of what others have said, FIRST identify if the waterhole/tank is being used. If there are fresh tracks look around the water source and locate where they are accessing the water from, find the trails in and out. Read the wind as it currently is but also what it will do in the evening and morning ( Thermals ). Last find an good concealed spot/ambush point that is close enough for a solid shot but not two close ( think 30-40 yards ) that there is no way a few cows will not bust you when they walk by. The bull will bringing up the rear most of the time. Then range some landmarks so you do not need fiddle with that at all when the time comes. Sit and watch chipmunks laugh at you.

Muley88 · Aug 31, 2024

wweaver79 said:
Combination of what others have said, FIRST identify if the waterhole/tank is being used. If there are fresh tracks look around the water source and locate where they are accessing the water from, find the trails in and out. Read the wind as it currently is but also what it will do in the evening and morning ( Thermals ). Last find an good concealed spot/ambush point that is close enough for a solid shot but not two close ( think 30-40 yards ) that there is no way a few cows will not bust you when they walk by. The bull will bringing up the rear most of the time. Then range some landmarks so you do not need fiddle with that at all when the time comes. Sit and watch chipmunks laugh at you.

Actually have a cow tag for the wasatch! Didn’t know if sitting water is my best strategy, or hiking until I get into some. (Last 2 days of the hunt)

littlebighorn · Sep 1, 2024

Muley88 said:
Actually have a cow tag for the wasatch! Didn’t know if sitting water is my best strategy, or hiking until I get into some. (Last 2 days of the hunt)

Sitting water is 99% boring and 1%, if you are lucky, excitement.
I always prefer to spot and stock.

Muley88 · Sep 1, 2024

littlebighorn said:
Sitting water is 99% boring and 1%, if you are lucky, excitement.
I always prefer to spot and stock.

I would too. This area is fairly flat I’m going to, so not much glassing there.

Servehim · Sep 1, 2024

Much funner to chase them....much higher probability to fill the freezer sitting water. I hate sitting water so I'll take enjoyment in the chase personally.

Muley88 · Sep 2, 2024

Servehim said:
Much funner to chase them....much higher probability to fill the freezer sitting water. I hate sitting water so I'll take enjoyment in the chase personally.

I’m with you. Really want to fill this tag though

Deerlove · Sep 2, 2024

I used to be a chaser on these early hunts but now I've gotten smarter I would hope and have been sitting waiting for them to come to me just can't get one big enough to show up. Yes it's boring

Muley88 · Sep 2, 2024

Deerlove said:
I used to be a chaser on these early hunts but now I've gotten smarter I would hope and have been sitting waiting for them to come to me just can't get one big enough to show up. Yes it's boring

Good thing I’m looking for a cow, so I won’t be picky haha. Just need to find the water hole they like.

mevertsen · Sep 2, 2024

I had a water hole hunt a couple years ago for elk.

I really struggle sitting that long.

Good luck.

TheKnack · Sep 2, 2024

mevertsen said:
I had a water hole hunt a couple years ago for elk.

I really struggle sitting that long.

Good luck.

Muley88 said:
How do you guys pick what water hole might be most effective? Have 2 days to hunt a new area, but 4 different water holes that seem very similar. Any different tips to pick one over the other?

Try ambushing them in-between bedding feeding and water areas.
If you hang out in the above three areas your scent will push the elk out more often than not no matter how careful you are.
I would only consider hunting in those areas in the last day.

LIK2HNT · Sep 2, 2024

When’s your hunt?

Muley88 · Sep 2, 2024

LIK2HNT said:
When’s your hunt?

Sep 5-6

LIK2HNT · Sep 2, 2024

Muley88 said:
Sep 5-6

You must be chomping at the bit. Have fun.

eyeman · Sep 3, 2024

Take a good book.
It helps with boredom and it help me from being figgety.

Servehim · Sep 3, 2024

If you do that make sure The Good Book is conseled, hate to see a grown man cry because you weren't paying attention or flip a page and said critter saw movement. Have a great time chasing them in the woods....make memories.

DonVathome · Sep 4, 2024

I would pick the most active one and if legal hang a game cam asap. I would not pick the one with the best ambush spot (although that is tempting) the best abush spot in the world does little good if there are no elk visiting during daylight.

Fresh tracks and droppings are good sign. Heavy trails - but that could be cattle.

AzTagSoup · Sep 4, 2024

In AZ we sit the tanks and wallows for all types of game as some come in at first light, midday or the evening. I have found that tanks that have a draw coming into them where they have some cover are favored by animals.