This hunt started at 6:30 am Saturday on public land in NM. Unit 55A Colin Neblett WMA NE or Eagle Nest, NM. The outfitter we used hunts the private ranch that borders the WMA so access was a bit easier and we got to the elk ahead of the other people who had to start about 2-3 miles away at the WMA parking area.

We hiked up Sat and spotted a few bulls after giving them a cow call. We spotted a NICE 5x5 with long tines, heavy beams and just the whole package. I only had a neck shot at 240 yards and decided to pass. Not sure I should have, but I felt it was the right decision.

We ate lunch over looking a meadow of Aspen trees with snow covering the ground and full sunshine. Beautiful scenery. About 2:00 pm we decided to go over look canyon where we had seen Elk that morning but they were on a different private ranch than what we drove up. So we were hoping they migrated back up into the canyon we were going to check in case they were bedded down.

We came upon the canyon when my buddy slung his pack off and his gun. Laid down in the prone position and seen a nice 5x5 running up the hill. He presented no shot for a few minutes. After toying with my buddy he finally had an opening. 190 yards and he let his .308 eat. Hit the bull in the boiler room and the Bull hunkered up and ran about 15 yards, stopped, wobbled and crashed.

My buddy said "Get the %^&* over here...there is another one." So I slung my pack off laid the Browning 300 Win Mag over the backpack in the prone position. He was perfectly broadside. After hearing my guide say 268 yards, I let it eat. He took off like he was not hit.....then he disappeared. Thinking I missed him cause I didn't hear the impact of the shot, we took off hiking up the mountain.

We found his elk which we knew was dead, and the guide hollered at me and said mine was down DRT.

So we quartered them up and caped them out on the mountain. After calling for help, another guide/helper showed up with 3 packs. I hauled my head/cape and 2 backstraps (72 lbs.) my buddy hauled his head/cape and 2 backstraps (65 lbs.), our guide hauled 1 back quarter of mine and the helper carried out backpacks and rifles. We got off the mountain at 9:30 pm. It was a bit scary walking in the dark with bear tracks all over the place and carrying fresh meat.

We hoisted the other 6 quarters up in the trees and returned Sunday at 10:30 am to haul the remainder out of the woods. A back and front quarter a piece (100 lbs) and it took a while to get it out but we made it.

Was some of the hardest work I have ever done and I felt like I was going to die. No lie. But the hunt/ experience/relationships we built will last a lifetime. We had fun. He is not the biggest but for public land and my first elk I am VERY happy.

His Right brow tine is 19" long.




The black arrow is where my back pack is where I was laying down when I shot him. The pic is taken from the kill site.

Awesome!!

Great right up! Thanks for sharing & congrats!!

Really nice bull for that part of the country. Congrats!!

Congratulations!

Thx guys. The private ranch he also hunts have nice elk. The guys in camp that were hunting had a 6x6 and a 7x8 on the ground this weekend. But for public land I am happy as a bug and lucky to boot.

Congrats, nice bull. We were in unit 53 north of red river oct 22-26. Base camp was at 10,000 ft and we did the majority of our hunting from 10-11000 feet. Had several close calls but we all had to eat our tags, when we finally got them penned down the storm blew in and we had to get off the mountain and the hell outa dodge, cut the hunt a day short but we had a blast.

Way to go. I can't wait to go on a bow hunt for elk. What a rush that must be.

Congratulations. Great photos. I'd love to get the chance to take an elk like that.

Great story and pics. Nothing like getting out into some beautiful country, putting in the work, and coming out successful. Congrats.

Great looking Elk right there!!!

Elk is at the top of the must hunt list for me!

Great bull! I wouldn't try to qualify that it is only a public bull. Great bull private or public land!

Thx guys. Trying to sweet talk the wife into going back next year private land. Think she might give me the ok.

Guess it depends on how many mounts you get done before now and then.

Lol. True. I have 3 at the taxi now so it could get bad if i get a nice wt and muley worth mounting this year. ;-)

Very nice. Went on my first elk hunt this year in New Mexico with a bow. Might have to pick up the smoke pole next year. Good bull.

Very nice!

Great story, shot my first bull two weeeks ago up in Winter Park, CO. Congrats.

Awesome story!

Thx guys. It is addicting.

Great bull!

Awsome! id be happy to just shoot a cow ha

Thx guys.

Good Bull!

nice bull for sure