Hey guys. So I was fortunate enough today to be able to snag one of the late season bull elk tags for unit 34 mid Dec. The tag is for a bull with 6 points on one side or better so I know it will probably be a tough hunt but I don't care! I know I will learn a lot this year that I can put to use next year if I draw. I'm looking for any general information anyone has about the unit and any elk hunting advice you're willing to give a rookie who's eager to learn! Thanks in advance and no I'm not expecting anyone to give up a honey hole. I fully understand the time and effort it takes to find those.

Oh and it's a NM tag.

Get there a few days before your hunt tags start and scout. Find out what the elk are doing. That time of year there will be snow most likely. Look for sign. Elk are big and poop alot. Find fresh poop and tracks and wait them out to find when they are passing through. Spend all of your down time trying to figure them out and by the end of your hunt hopefully you will have them patterenrd enough to find a biggun! They will probly be low in the valleys as opposed to way up in the mountains that time of year. Good luck.

Good luck, depending on the area you can be high or regular altitude.

Never mind, you can base out of Cloudcroft, way up in the mountains. Nice area, but like was said get there a few days early, you will want to scout and you can acclimate yourself to the altitude. Watch the weather forecasts, today can be sunny and mild and have a snow storm in the morning. Be prepared fro all kinds of weather.

Drink lots of water, it will help with the altitude adjustment.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the earliest I might be able to get there is a day early. I have a TDY that I won't get back from until the 12th at the earliest and the hunt starts the 14th.

So you snagged a mule deer tag in 36 for Nov and an elk tag in 34 in for Dec? How'd you do that? Late season tag sale from NMDGF? That's a busy hunting season for sure.

I got lucky and was fast on the keyboard. The mulie tag was because my new neighbor is also military and is going tdy for the time of the mule deer hunt so we are trying I transfer that tag to me. The elk tag was a late season tag sale. It's archery and must be a 6 on one side so that will w a tough hunt. I'm just very thankful to have the opportunity to get in the mountains and learn to help with hunting next year hopefully.

Good for you.

Number one thing.....Take a good SURVIVAL KIT. Anything can happen and you can get stranded. BE PREPARED. And good luck

Check with the local GW They put me on the ELK 5 years ago.

Layer up, your going to swea try to wear enough clothes that you don't. try to dress down when walking/hiking and dress up when glassing

That's advice I've already headed. I bought a Bivy sack, matches, lighter, water tablets, and my hunting partner has a good first aid kit already. I've been through military survival in the mans of Washington with 5 ft of snow on the ground. I know first hand how tough those conditions are and never take being on the mountain lightly.

Good call. Hadn't thought about that. Thanks.

Anyone else.

Hunt via your optics. Glass, glass and glass some more.

Late season, big bulls are in the most nasty, deep stuff they can find

I need advice too. I'm heading out December 11 and plan on hunting on the 14. I know we better dress warm!

Thanks bobo. I'm glad I got some good glass! I'm gonna do the best I can to find them eventhough I know the odds of success are slim at best.

Bump. Hunts getting closer!

What every one said is great advice. I would add, find some dense close timber, likely will be Mountain cedar or Juniper since they will be lower, hunt the edges from a vantage point.

Remember wind currents and thermals change from am to pm, so mind that when set up. (usually as daylight arrives thermals tend to go up until the evening when the cold air wants to settle again)

I have found many elk in deep canyons and draws as BOBO mentioned earlier, so dont skip those, when pressured, elk will go where you almost need to cook them where they fall LOL

Good luck!!

First of all "good luck on the hunt", you will have a blaast!!! My advice is you do not have to be up in the "High Country" to be in elk country. You will be driving through some great elk hunting before you get to Mayhill. I'd suggest trying around Wet Burnt and Dry Burnt canyons off of Carr Gap road a day or two. There are some water holes about 4 of them in those canyons. There is also some access to good elk country that buts up to the ranch that has Green gate and apple orchard about 5 miles or so before you get to Mayhill. There is a pull off on the left. Hike to the top of the mountain and good valleys on the other side. Also a water hole thats kinda hard to find in there. Cours Jim Lewis canyon and surrounding area and Jim Lewis holds elk but that is high country with lots of snow more than likely. you will see the elk tracks there but you will need to hike over the mountain probly to get in them. Pressure usually pretty high in that area. Any question holler at me or P.M. me! Good luck! Craig

I'm new to this forum but I've been elk hunting for over 20 years. Make sure your boots are broke in and take some mole skin with you. That stuff works miracles on blisters. Just peel and stick. Good luck.

I use a cow call in the late season. The bulls don't bugle back but it gets there attention and they want to see what's going on. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks guys. So a bugle won't get them to at least respond a little this time of year?

Good luck and have fun!!!