Running elk/scent

[md126]

Does an elk that’s running, or at least moving quickly, have a better or worse sense of smell, or no different?

If the elk was spooked and running generally into the wind towards another hunter would the elk ignore any scent stream and “run through it” to continue directly away from whatever spooked it or change direction when it hit another scent stream and go away from both dangers (human scent)?

For arguments sake this is on pressured OTC land

Thanks for any input

 

[KSP277]

Do you get wetter running or walking in the rain

 

[md126]

Interesting analogy. I’m assuming you are saying they smell less effectively while running then?

 

[KSP277]

I’m saying I have no idea. If you could set that scenario up 15 times you’d probably get 15 different results.

 

[md126]

15 Different results or different opinions?

In sure an elk (or deer) could react in any number of ways but my question was whether or not they would react to human scent while running and if so how. Ignore it or adjust their movements accordingly?

 

[KSP277]

Have your hunting partner rip one up wind of you. First walk through the cloud. Then have him repeat the poot, now run through it.

 

[md126]

I don’t have the sense of smell anywhere close to that of an elk but running or not I’d probably still smell it. If I associate that smell with danger I’d probably adjust accordingly, either by slamming on the brakes or changing direction

 

[md126]

Anyone else?

 

[ElkNut1]

So what's being asked here is a bulls guard somewhat down as he evacuates an area from possibly being pushed by hunters or predators! No way! Their noses are their key to survival! I've been in quite a few encounters that shows no matter their mindset they do not throw caution to the wind because of a threat. This isn't to say that it cannot ever happen but don't bank it!


Here's an encounter that took place with a nice 6 point bull that happened to me. I was with a friend hunting on a cool bench 2 miles from the rig, I knew the area well & knew if there was any hunting pressure that day it would come from the south side of this bench, we were on the north end. About 9 a.m. we are set up on a section of this bench that is about 60 yards wide. We are there 15 min & could hear pounding hooves coming right at us, perfect! It was 1/2 dozen cows a spike & a 5 point, 5 point was last. As soon as the 5 point entered my shooting lane I stopped him with a nervous grunt at 25 yards, he was on the other side of a downed log with most vitals showing. I released an arrow from my longbow & skipped off the log flying harmlessly over his back! Crap!

Minutes later I hear a bugle on the same bench a couple hundred yards further back, it sounds like he's a bit above us on this bench so I bugled to try & bring him down the same trail these other elk passed on. I felt this bull was with this same group but lagging behind, that's why I bugled. To the south where this bull was coming from was a 1/2 acre meadow with the trail running on the far side, it's the trail the other elk came in on. As this bull was coming towards us now after the bugle he was infuriated with this new bull by his herd. (me) He was screaming bugle after bugle running our way, I checked the wind & it was now going into the meadow but not as far as the actual game trail, we see the bull coming 150 yards out & instead of staying on the trail he blows through the middle of the meadow coming on a trot straight at us. I look at my friend & say that bull is going to wind us if he stays on that course, nothing we could do. -- Funny thing was as he got to the spot where I knew the wind would give us up that bull acted like he hit a brick wall even though he was both being pushed & now he was pissed another bull was near his harem. at no time was he senses blurred by everything going on. ---- I've has similar experiences over the years, in these cases bulls are fully aware of the scents whether running away or not. Sometimes we just get busted! (grin)


ElkNut/Paul

 

[md126]

Thanks Paul, You explained that very well and much better than my original post, which was a little unclear I think. Anyway, thanks for the reply and info. It’s very helpful
Mike

 

[d3ntalbliss]

I think the only instance in which it might effect them is if they are running like dogs and so winded they are forced to mouth breathe. Meaning they are getting dogged left and right and have been running a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[BrianID]

Smell is the one sense that an elk is going to trust most. You can fool their ears and eyes sometimes but you can't fool their nose. If the wind is in the elk's favor, they will smell you, even if running. If they are running toward you they will have less time to smell your scent than if slowly walking. For archery hunting I think 100% of the time you will loose if you think you can fool their nose and shoot an elk that is downwind of you.