Well the deadline has come and gone for N.M. Who put in and what hunts did you apply for? I put in on unit 34 bow elk either sex. Second hunt first choice, first hunt second choice if that makes sense! Did not put in for muledeer this year. Good luck !!!

My buddy got his app in, but I missed mine. If he gets drawn, I'm calling for him (archery). He called for me when we tagged my cow elk in CO. So, I own him one. We'll hit NM for his hunt, then over to CO for our public land where we have a little "honey hole" we found.

My brother and me thought about going to CO. elk hunting if we don't get drawn in N.M. Problem is we have never been to CO. hunting so it would be going at it pretty much blind. Have to start somewhere though! Have to start my research. Odds of us getting drawn in NM are very slim!!!!

Drop me a PM, and I can tell you a little bit about some public hunting areas for archery in CO.

16, 53, 50. In that order (all archery). Hoping for the Gila, but will take unit 50 just to get in the woods after some ivory. Good luck to everyone that has entered! I am in the same boat as cuthand1. If we dont get drawn then we will be looking into hunting OTC in Co for the first time.

My second year trying for the Gila.

Ours too. My buddies got drawn for it last year, but they were residents so the odds were in their favor. I have hunted either 53 or 50 the last 3 years.

Put in for Unit 30 muledeer, both seasons. Has anyone considered putting in for elk in 30? We have been seeing some monsters the last several years and there have been several in the 400 class killed by bow. Have some pics somewhere.

34 & 36 Rifle......I normally don't rifle hunt, however, I think this
year I'd give it a try. Getting too old
to trudge up/down mountains like I use to. It's pretty hard to get selected
for a non-resident to draw these tags so I'd be happily surprised if I get one.

I don't want to hijack this thread...but has anyone else noticed the mule deer herd has been
poorly managed in NM? I talked to an outfitter and he said the primo units are
managed well but the rest of the state is a free for all for permits and the herd quality has
suffered as a result. What do you think?

Units 56, 57, and 58 mule deer any weapon.

fishhuntgolfgeek,Unie 34only has a fraction of the mulies it had back in the 80's and early 90's. I don't know the anxwer. Wish I did!! I have a great friend that ranches in the Mayhill area and he says its drought and mountain lions and to many elk driving the mulies away. I think its a combo of Drought,Mountain lions and CWD. Also they need to not give out as many mulie permits for about five years. Back in the eighties when we hunted for mulies it was nothing to see 100 or more mulies in a day in heards. Gone down hill every year since. Now you see more elk than mulies. I could type more about the area. Love the country!

put in for elk for several units in NM. Also for Wyoming for antelope. buddies parents have a large ranch in NM so I can possibly buy a landowner tag from them if they get one.

If I don't get drawn I may go to CO again for elk or Mule Deer

Thanks Cuthand....Always good to hear from people who have witnessed the changes.

The first year I hunted NM, 1996, it was not unusual to see 100 muledeer a day. It got progressively worse every year until they started the reg stating bucks had to have at least 3 points to a side. The hunting got a little better. After several years it went back to FAD. For the last several years we've averaged seeing 20-40 deer a day, mostly does. The ranchers have told us its the combination of drought, mountain lions, and a fire that has hurt the hunting the most. I can only comment on Unit 30 as its the only one I've hunted in since 96.

Thanks Copperhead....in 37 I see packs of does with inferior bucks everywhere.
No quality bucks. It's a meat hunt only. Units 2a, b, and c apparently have
the high quality bucks, but I'm hearing that it's getting tougher
to locate them. NMDGF needs to better manage the herd.

If you don't get drawn, keep an eye out starting about August, NM will often have "left over" tags available for elk and deer. It's good if you're not particular as to which unit. I got lucky about three years ago and drew a muely tag.