Deer, elk and rubs

[bcd]

I was up in the West Kootenays for Christmas, and went looking for snowshoe hares there yesterday. While I didn't find any of those, I did bump into two white tails and three elk, and saw a bunch of rubs from this year.

Followed the deer for a bit, they let me get within ~40m. So hard to walk quietly in the snow!

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13128_zps7c895382.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13140_zps87f17a1c.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13143_zps77793eac.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13146_zpsf071942d.jpg


http://youtu.be/DJe5wc36AUE

[bcd]

Found lots of rubs as well, some fresh enough that the wood shavings were visible just under the snow. One was about 10' high, and I don't know if that relates to the size of the elk or deer, but standing beside it made me want to find one of these bad boys next year!

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13130_zpsaeeb2299.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13135_zps638a0312.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13148_zpsa63051a3.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13147_zps2a721ae8.jpg

[bcd]

I continued on and about half a km away flushed three elk from their beds. I didn't get a very clear look as the light was falling and they would only let me get within 100m before taking off again and the bush was much thicker there. Wish I had better photos, but these will have to suffice. Next fall can't come soon enough. But it was still cool to follow them and observe their behavior as I did so.

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13151_zpsab643128.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13154_zps7f43d017.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13156_zps8e726b29.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13157_zpsab255024.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13159_zps9f2b04f8.jpg

[HarryToolips]

Good job dude, good sized rubs, if they're following somewhat of a line, you've got yourself a good huntin spot for next season..

[nazarow]

Nice pics! Just have to keep your eyes open for the one that reached that 10 foot mark! Ever thought of putting up trail cams?

[bcd]

Good job dude, good sized rubs, if they're following somewhat of a line, you've got yourself a good huntin spot for next season..

Yeah I read that before, and they were... a line of them about 75m long paralleling a ravine with three heavily used game trails crossing the line. Is there any way to tell the difference between deer and elk rubs?


Nice pics! Just have to keep your eyes open for the one that reached that 10 foot mark! Ever thought of putting up trail cams?

Yeah it would be awesome to put a cam up, but a bit challenging when I only go there a few times a year, and might be more productive to have one down here where I can monitor and move it, and multiple cams not in the budget.

[One Shot]

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/bc_d/Hunting/SDC13146_zpsf071942d.jpg

This picture looks as if there is a wolf in the back ground above the buck on the left behind the downed tree............Thank for sharing the pictures.

[HarryToolips]

Elk rubs will go higher into the tree I'm guessin..