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I've used a treestand for elk, it can be one of the deadliest forms of taking your elk, especially some of the larger bulls in the given area! Unless you know of a "travel route" from hayfields to bedding areas, then it can be a crap shoot setting a stand in hopes of an ambush on just any elk trail.
But the opposite is true when you are selective in your stand placement for elk! Wallows/Waterholes are deadly spots in low or high water areas.(availability) Choosing an active wallow, (being used) is key. Also choose the areas that have wallows within a 1/2 mile or closer to aprox. bedding areas. If hunting real wide open country the distance can be greater.
By setting a stand at such locations & sitting it faithfully especially the last 2-1/2hrs of daylight for 5 straight days, you will have opportunities at a bull, generally the largest bull in that area will check the wallows out to see who's been in or using them. They also smell around for cows at these areas as cows will do the same early in the season.
Calling at such areas is very effective, this let's other elk know within earshot that there's elk there at this particular wallow. Once elk, especially bulls, get up from their beds they will want to come smell around & check out who was there, this gives them a direction that they may not have taken that evening otherwise. Set your stand for proper wind, it's important not to be winded. Check trails where it shows the elk are entering from, & place stand accordingly!
The key to calling from wallow areas is to use sounds that fit the situation. I like being a calf, 2-cows & a raghorn bull. Do some low key mewing from cows & calf, throw in a few chuckles & low keyed growly squeals, none of this is intimidating to elk within earshot. It just shows this small group comunicating & keeping tabs on one another. I then like splashing around some in the wallow, start mildly, then thrash around with some gusto like they're enjoying themselves. Play out this little senario for a few minutes then slowly leave the wallow making a few elk sounds as you do so. This will show other elk you left.
Get into your stand & don't do anymore calling, be patient for elk to show like a ghost, they seem at times to come out of nowhere! <grin>
Dry stinky wallows are another good treestand bet! But that's another story!
I have a gorilla stand, it's a lock-on model, it's very light, but strong! There's times I'm packing it in 3 miles or so. So I don't like heavy ones!
ElkNut1
