How ' bout this.

Just above this pretty serious incline is a bench, then it is a much easier incline for the remainder. Even if I could find the stand, it sounds like it might be a better idea to sneak on that bench early in the a.m., possibly get a little action as they head up, and if not, I will have a better idea of which of these major travel lanes is the most heavily used. Then do some straight up ground hunting ' till midday and sit it out ' till dark. Yes? Is it even worth it to take a break and head elsewhere in mid-afternoon, or would I be better served to sit tight all afternoon/night?

BUT what about getting down there in the afternoon? I kid you not, there are elk trails all over, and I am bound to cross and stink up a few due to the severity of the slope. Do I try a drag? Obviously I practice serious scent control, but when it' s 85 and the sun is beating down on me, this kid tends to do some serious sweating!!!

How close would a guy set-up off these wallows? There is a good sized rock about 20 yards from it, but with very little surrounding cover. This rock is the starting point of the treeline (very sparse trees...hence the afore mentioned burn) and also the starting point of this seriously rocky portion that makes most of the eastern side of this meadow inaccessible. Would I be better served to be by a tree or this rock? I always carry one of those little blinds to cover my front side, and with some small downed trees, etc., I should be ok...just wondering how close is too close? I think it goes w/o saying it depends on my range, but it also goes without saying that if I can get 5 or 10 yards closer with a bow, my room for error is increased, which is not a bad thing if I am lucky enough to have a 5 x 5 slobbering on me.

Is there a pecking order with elk when using a wallow? Does the bull hit it first in most cases? Lead cow? Whoever gets there first? How does the rest of the herd act while one or more are using it? Do they act like a kid waiting in line at the refreshment stand, are they eating, lying down licking themselves, or all of the above? Just curious as I would like to know what to expect in most cases.

Thanks in advance.