2025 NM Elk Draw Thread

[arwhntr]

I didn't apply this year as we are still overseas.

You can still apply while overseas. If you're having issues accessing the G&F websites just use a VPN. LetsVPN and Astrill work well.

 

[ShiddyPiddy]

Those of you not drawing tags, are you applying for good hunts for each choice or are you considering high draw odd units for your last choice? If you goal is to get out there to hunt and you're not doing that, you need too. First choice, shoot for the moon with your #1 hunt. Third choice, apply for a unit with higher draw odds but lower harvest rate, and be prepared to work your butt off. Second choice should be somewhere in-between. Don't put Gila hunts in there for all three options, then be surprised you don't draw. This is my 3rd season applying as a NM resident. I've drawn deer every year, and elk 2 of them. I don't mean to boast but when I hear people not drawing tags for decades I assume you're setting yourself up for failure during the application period.

 

[Elkoholic87]

Those of you not drawing tags, are you applying for good hunts for each choice or are you considering high draw odd units for your last choice? If you goal is to get out there to hunt and you're not doing that, you need too. First choice, shoot for the moon with your #1 hunt. Third choice, apply for a unit with higher draw odds but lower harvest rate, and be prepared to work your butt off. Second choice should be somewhere in-between. Don't put Gila hunts in there for all three options, then be surprised you don't draw. This is my 3rd season applying as a NM resident. I've drawn deer every year, and elk 2 of them. I don't mean to boast but when I hear people not drawing tags for decades I assume you're setting yourself up for failure during the application period.

Found Newberg’s burner account.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ShiddyPiddy]

Found Newberg’s burner account.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Like Randy Newberg? Nah . I hope to be hunting when I'm that old. I just seen people on these Facebook groups complaining the last couple years. Same old song and dance. Or you know what, don't try to increase your odds by playing the game. More tags for the rest of us.

 

[wapitibob]

Those of you not drawing tags, are you applying for good hunts for each choice or are you considering high draw odd units for your last choice? If you goal is to get out there to hunt and you're not doing that, you need too. First choice, shoot for the moon with your #1 hunt. Third choice, apply for a unit with higher draw odds but lower harvest rate, and be prepared to work your butt off. Second choice should be somewhere in-between. Don't put Gila hunts in there for all three options, then be surprised you don't draw. This is my 3rd season applying as a NM resident. I've drawn deer every year, and elk 2 of them. I don't mean to boast but when I hear people not drawing tags for decades I assume you're setting yourself up for failure during the application period.

You ever actually look at nr Elk odds?

 

[awcopeland]

I hear that Wyoming likes non-residents.

 

[ShiddyPiddy]

You ever actually look at nr Elk odds?

I know they're atrocious. I guess I made an incorrect assumption people posting in here were NM residents.

 

[awcopeland]

Lots of NRs that have easier routes to obtain AN elk tag apply for NM because it’s relatively cheap if you end up drawing and you have some of the best opportunity to kill a OIL quality bull (better odds than AZ, and UT) Especially if you’re not willing/able to pay $15k+ or are just now getting into the point game.

Every state is a game, whether it has points or not. No need to complain about it when you don’t get what you want.

Oregon, Utah, and Colorado all have OTC elk tags still to some degree or another.

 

[Gila]

The outfitter’s pool sometimes has fair odds for non-residents. Add in e-plus then non-res get approx. half of all of the elk tags. The DIY non-res is only 6% of the public draw which has very few tags available.

 

[Gila]

Lots of NRs that have easier routes to obtain AN elk tag apply for NM because it’s relatively cheap if you end up drawing and you have some of the best opportunity to kill a OIL quality bull (better odds than AZ, and UT) Especially if you’re not willing/able to pay $15k+ or are just now getting into the point game.

Every state is a game, whether it has points or not. No need to complain about it when you don’t get what you want.

Oregon, Utah, and Colorado all have OTC elk tags still to some degree or another.

You mean getting points in other states….NM has no preference points at the present time.

 

[awcopeland]

You mean getting points in other states….NM has no preference points at the present time.

That is correct. Sorry if it came across as NM having points. IMO that’s the allure.

 

[roadrunner]

Those of you not drawing tags, are you applying for good hunts for each choice or are you considering high draw odd units for your last choice? If you goal is to get out there to hunt and you're not doing that, you need too. First choice, shoot for the moon with your #1 hunt. Third choice, apply for a unit with higher draw odds but lower harvest rate, and be prepared to work your butt off. Second choice should be somewhere in-between. Don't put Gila hunts in there for all three options, then be surprised you don't draw. This is my 3rd season applying as a NM resident. I've drawn deer every year, and elk 2 of them. I don't mean to boast but when I hear people not drawing tags for decades I assume you're setting yourself up for failure during the application period.

People put in for their choices for a couple of reasons; proximity to home because they are limited on time and the amount of time they have to spend on a hunt to fill their tag.

Many times they are going to result in good units with higher success rates.

Although your reasoning is sound, if your application is at the bottom each year after the shuffle, it won't matter if your 2nd and 3rd choices are less than desirable hunt and units.

I know my 1st choice isn't a bad choice because a gentleman that lives a mile down the road from me has drawn it twice in the last 3 years.

I'm on 8 years straight now without drawing an elk tag...

 

[txraghornmaster]

The outfitter’s pool sometimes has fair odds for non-residents. Add in e-plus then non-res get approx. half of all of the elk tags. The DIY non-res is only 6% of the public draw which has very few tags available.

This. Year in year out, NR would probably be better served buying eplus tags than giving states like utah our money and application fees. its still fairly pricey, but if you did it every other year it would definitely pencil out. Of course when you live as close to new mexico as I do thats an easy position to defend.

 

[txraghornmaster]

The outfitter’s pool sometimes has fair odds for non-residents. Add in e-plus then non-res get approx. half of all of the elk tags. The DIY non-res is only 6% of the public draw which has very few tags available.

It does, I put my father in the outfitter pool this year. He's a lifelong white tail guy, little too old to really play the odds game long term. outfitter pool took his odds for the unit from <7% to >40% and drew his tag year 1. Don't think he'll have a shot at a big boy, but intel suggests we should see plenty of quality animals.

 

[Tinhorn]

Those of you not drawing tags, are you applying for good hunts for each choice or are you considering high draw odd units for your last choice? If you goal is to get out there to hunt and you're not doing that, you need too. First choice, shoot for the moon with your #1 hunt. Third choice, apply for a unit with higher draw odds but lower harvest rate, and be prepared to work your butt off. Second choice should be somewhere in-between. Don't put Gila hunts in there for all three options, then be surprised you don't draw. This is my 3rd season applying as a NM resident. I've drawn deer every year, and elk 2 of them. I don't mean to boast but when I hear people not drawing tags for decades I assume you're setting yourself up for failure during the application period.

I had 3 family members use this exact method, 2 of them NR and 1 of them a resident. The resident family member's draw odds (based on last year) were 5%, 35%, and 80% by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. No one drew a tag.

 

[fatlander]

The odds in NM are so long on all the elk tags, there’s no way I’m applying for the easier (still way less than 10% odds) that are tough hunts. There’s plenty of places to get your butt whipped that aren’t hard to draw across the country.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mojave]

You can still apply while overseas. If you're having issues accessing the G&F websites just use a VPN. LetsVPN and Astrill work well.

No, I am not interested until closer to the time I get back.

No points to worry about to I forget about New Mexico until our last year here.

 

[Ian Ketterman]

I drew my NM early archery tag, while also waiting on my WY general tag application to go through (7 points)

Will be a busy fall for sure.