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Elk hunt advise
#9037492
04/23/24 12:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
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So I'm a life long resident of New Mexico and I cannot draw an elk tag if my life depended on it. I have been skunked 30 years in a row. I have had a lot of success with mule deer, antelope, barbary sheep "Aoudad in Texas", and even a couple of oryx. But I have never tagged a bull elk. So this year I am looking at other states for a hunt. I was thinking Colorado but would not rule out other states. I am looking for a DIY or semi-guided hunt but probably on private property, I am getting older and don't walk as far or fast as I used to. So any advice or contacts??? I don't mind throwing some money at this within reason, as this is a bucket list item for me. But I don't think an elk hunt should cost as much as a new car. I am not looking for a 350 inch bull, a nice 5x5 would do just fine. Thanks in advance THF....
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9037496
04/23/24 12:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,024
txtrophy85
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Colorado has some OTC units left but they have gotten pretty crowded. Hunted up there with a lot of NM residents who couldn't draw a tag in their home state.
But, I would look at options like buying a landowner tag from a rancher. My business partner bought one from a rancher several years back, tag was around $6k but he shot a real nice elk. Was a semi-guided type of hunt.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9037498
04/23/24 12:29 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
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Colorado has some OTC units left but they have gotten pretty crowded. Hunted up there with a lot of NM residents who couldn't draw a tag in their home state.
But, I would look at options like buying a landowner tag from a rancher. My business partner bought one from a rancher several years back, tag was around $6k but he shot a real nice elk. Was a semi-guided type of hunt.
ya Id buy Unit tag or ranch tag in NM before OTC in CO.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9037634
04/23/24 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,838
Gringo Bling
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PM me - might be able to assist you.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: Gringo Bling]
#9038107
04/24/24 03:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
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PM me - might be able to assist you. PM sent
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9038363
04/25/24 01:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,966
jdickey
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Some NM Game Units are hard to draw anyway, and being a non-res it is even harder to draw! Consequently, I was advised several years ago to not apply for any rifle hunts, so I began muzzleloading simply because I could get drawn easier. As a result, and by applying in muzzleloader only Units 15 & 17, my draw success increased for bulls especially! However, now that NM no longer allows scopes for muzzleloaders, you might have better chances at getting drawn.
Ironically, 1996 was my first year to apply for any type of hunt in NM, and I got drawn for unit 16A - that was and is an incredible stroke of luck. especially for a rifle hunt! However, the hunt was unsuccessful, as that area got 14" of snow overnight the first night, and mobility became extremely difficult for the entire hunt and the elk had scattered. The only bull we saw was at the fairgrounds outside of Reserve. NM!
Last edited by jdickey; 04/25/24 01:57 PM.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: jdickey]
#9038389
04/25/24 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
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Some NM Game Units are hard to draw anyway, and being a non-res it is even harder to draw! Consequently, I was advised several years ago to not apply for any rifle hunts, so I began muzzleloading simply because I could get drawn easier. As a result, and by applying in muzzleloader only Units 15 & 17, my draw success increased for bulls especially! However, now that NM no longer allows scopes for muzzleloaders, you might have better chances at getting drawn.
Ironically, 1996 was my first year to apply for any type of hunt in NM, and I got drawn for unit 16A - that was and is an incredible stroke of luck. especially for a rifle hunt! However, the hunt was unsuccessful, as that area got 14" of snow overnight the first night, and mobility became extremely difficult for the entire hunt and the elk had scattered. The only bull we saw was at the fairgrounds outside of Reserve. NM! Yeah I'm a resident and all I have applied for lately is muzzy tags thinking with the scope restriction it would be easier to draw and still no luck. Might have to delete a bull elk from my bucket list. I did draw a muzzy deer tag this year, the same hunt I drew last year and got a decent buck.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9038390
04/25/24 02:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
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BTW I was mistaken about how long it's been since I drew and elk tag. I did draw about 15 years ago but unsuccessful. The hunt was during a full moon and the daytime temperatures were 80 degrees.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9038406
04/25/24 03:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603 |
Some NM Game Units are hard to draw anyway, and being a non-res it is even harder to draw! Consequently, I was advised several years ago to not apply for any rifle hunts, so I began muzzleloading simply because I could get drawn easier. As a result, and by applying in muzzleloader only Units 15 & 17, my draw success increased for bulls especially! However, now that NM no longer allows scopes for muzzleloaders, you might have better chances at getting drawn.
Ironically, 1996 was my first year to apply for any type of hunt in NM, and I got drawn for unit 16A - that was and is an incredible stroke of luck. especially for a rifle hunt! However, the hunt was unsuccessful, as that area got 14" of snow overnight the first night, and mobility became extremely difficult for the entire hunt and the elk had scattered. The only bull we saw was at the fairgrounds outside of Reserve. NM! Yeah I'm a resident and all I have applied for lately is muzzy tags thinking with the scope restriction it would be easier to draw and still no luck. Might have to delete a bull elk from my bucket list. I did draw a muzzy deer tag this year, the same hunt I drew last year and got a decent buck. NM ML have actually been harder to draw than rifle tags. Especially the earlier ones like unit 17 has. unit 17 ML for early oct season is a lottery tag. Basically hunting rutting bulls with rifle. Be a few years before odds drop back down. Newer ML turret systems still have some range. Late season archery elk tags are best odds, kind of like AZ.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9038413
04/25/24 03:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,383
blancobuster
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BTW I was mistaken about how long it's been since I drew and elk tag. I did draw about 15 years ago but unsuccessful. The hunt was during a full moon and the daytime temperatures were 80 degrees. What percentage draw hunts are you putting in for?? Man there are bulls to be had hate to hear you have had to wait that long. My uncle is a new mexico resident and he also is not successful very often, but he puts in for difficult to draw units...There has to be some opportunity units you could draw with NM residency?
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9038627
04/25/24 10:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,444
BDB
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So I'm a life long resident of New Mexico and I cannot draw an elk tag if my life depended on it. I have been skunked 30 years in a row. I have had a lot of success with mule deer, antelope, barbary sheep "Aoudad in Texas", and even a couple of oryx. But I have never tagged a bull elk. So this year I am looking at other states for a hunt. I was thinking Colorado but would not rule out other states. I am looking for a DIY or semi-guided hunt but probably on private property, I am getting older and don't walk as far or fast as I used to. So any advice or contacts??? I don't mind throwing some money at this within reason, as this is a bucket list item for me. But I don't think an elk hunt should cost as much as a new car. I am not looking for a 350 inch bull, a nice 5x5 would do just fine. Thanks in advance THF.... Only thing I can think of is you were/are swinging for the fences, even back 20+ years ago. I could draw my unit 2 out of 3 years back 20-25 years ago as a non resident. Sadly N.M. is a long-term plan using the draw now days
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: NMGW]
#9039777
04/28/24 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,966
jdickey
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I'm doing a land owner muley hunt this year on my cousin's ranch outside of Silver City. He's had some real rock bangers on his place the past few years! It will be a rifle hunt, so very optimistic.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: jdickey]
#9039795
04/28/24 06:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,024
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,024 |
I'm doing a land owner muley hunt this year on my cousin's ranch outside of Silver City. He's had some real rock bangers on his place the past few years! It will be a rifle hunt, so very optimistic. That will be a great time
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: jdickey]
#9040273
04/29/24 08:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
OP
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I'm doing a land owner muley hunt this year on my cousin's ranch outside of Silver City. He's had some real rock bangers on his place the past few years! It will be a rifle hunt, so very optimistic. That should be a great hunt.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: Elk hunt advise
[Re: BDB]
#9040274
04/29/24 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,736
NMGW
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OP
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So I'm a life long resident of New Mexico and I cannot draw an elk tag if my life depended on it. I have been skunked 30 years in a row. I have had a lot of success with mule deer, antelope, barbary sheep "Aoudad in Texas", and even a couple of oryx. But I have never tagged a bull elk. So this year I am looking at other states for a hunt. I was thinking Colorado but would not rule out other states. I am looking for a DIY or semi-guided hunt but probably on private property, I am getting older and don't walk as far or fast as I used to. So any advice or contacts??? I don't mind throwing some money at this within reason, as this is a bucket list item for me. But I don't think an elk hunt should cost as much as a new car. I am not looking for a 350 inch bull, a nice 5x5 would do just fine. Thanks in advance THF.... Only thing I can think of is you were/are swinging for the fences, even back 20+ years ago. I could draw my unit 2 out of 3 years back 20-25 years ago as a non resident. Sadly N.M. is a long-term plan using the draw now days Yeah not so much, Unit 13 second muzzy, unit 52, so nothing crazy like Valle Vidal or unit 16A first rifle. I even always put in alone to better my chances. So just snake bit
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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