Elk Smell Questions

[Bam Bam]

One day this past season, I was still-hunting dark timber, and I periodically smelled elk all morning. I could see old elk tracks and droppings on different benches of the mountain, but as I worked my way slowly through the timber (keeping the wind in my favor), the wind would swirl periodically and give me a huge nose full of elk smell. Each time this happened, I would slow down even more, and expect to kick up elk, but I never saw or heard them. I never even saw fresh sign. There was plenty of elk sign in the area of course, but it all looked to be a week or two old. Is it possible that elk leave their scent behind a week or two after they have left an area? Alternatively, do moose smell just like elk? I came across moose at close range three times that day, and their sign was everywhere in the area too- although much fresher than the elk sign that was present. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[PRO MO]

no, and no. sounds like you were just missing them, or could be mistaking elk scent for moose scent.

 

[Dsnow9]

If you’re smelling them it’s a day old at most. Could just be mistaking moose for elk.

 

[Caseknife]

That is one of the hard things about dark timber and wind that is drifting around, hard to tell which way to look for the smelly elk. Moose if in the rut smell like tomcat piss.

 

[Bam Bam]

That is one of the hard things about dark timber and wind that is drifting around, hard to tell which way to look for the smelly elk. Moose if in the rut smell like tomcat piss.

I was probably smelling moose, then. With some more experience, I'll probably learn the difference between the two smells.

 

[utah400elk]

When I still hunt I usually try to carry a wind checker and check as quick as possible to find the wind. Almost every time I am moving slow enough and get a strong smell of elk, I find them with binos. I thought that to my son and he was amazed at how often, when being very careful, we would find them.

 

[LuketheDog]

One day this past season, I was still-hunting dark timber, and I periodically smelled elk all morning. I could see old elk tracks and droppings on different benches of the mountain, but as I worked my way slowly through the timber (keeping the wind in my favor), the wind would swirl periodically and give me a huge nose full of elk smell. Each time this happened, I would slow down even more, and expect to kick up elk, but I never saw or heard them. I never even saw fresh sign. There was plenty of elk sign in the area of course, but it all looked to be a week or two old. Is it possible that elk leave their scent behind a week or two after they have left an area? Alternatively, do moose smell just like elk? I came across moose at close range three times that day, and their sign was everywhere in the area too- although much fresher than the elk sign that was present. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Don't know about anyone else, but to me real fresh elk smell reminds me of the petting zoo. The spots they've taken a piss will really have a good funk for a few days, especially the bulls. But, I don't think I've ever smelled elk in a spot they haven't been in a week or more, even at a wallow.

 

[Rie Bread]

love that smell.