Chama, NM

[adbaby]

Any special considerations for a first-timer on a multi day elk hunt in mid October? Guide provided a packing list, but just want to be sure.

 

[wapitibob]

shoot the 1st branch bull you see

 

[Tmac]

If you live at low elevation, try to have a few days at elevation before the hunt to acclimate.

 

[Steve from GA]

Historically speaking, Oct in Chama is pretty warm. We're not talking about dramatic gains in elevation during your hunt or anything like that, but I agree that acclimating to the overall elevation is a good idea. Pretty easy land to hunt, very unlikely to see snow or significant cold. Very user friendly and cool little small town. Good luck!

 

[Chris in TN]

Chama is relatively low elevation but still higher than an easterner will be used to. Expect mild weather in early October. Be prepared for anything, but don't be surprised if you have warm days. The countryside is gorgeous, especially if you're coming in from the south.

(I didn't hunt there, but have hunted fairly near there in CO, and have been through there twice in recent years and stayed one night there on one trip)

 

[North of 60]

Northern NM has some spectacular bull elk

I would bring a mix of clothes as it may get toasty warm during the day and cooler at night...be ready to shed layers.

Edit to add: Keep shooting till their head goes down and stays down...it may take 2 or 3 shots to be safe.

 

[adbaby]

If you live at low elevation, try to have a few days at elevation before the hunt to acclimate.

Im below sea level in Louisiana so any elevation is elevation and any "mild temperature" to yall is arctic to me.

 

[North of 60]

Im below sea level in Louisiana so any elevation is elevation and any "mild temperature" to yall is arctic to me.

You'll be fine as long as you can get across the long drive of Texas, lol (if driving).

Think a cold front in Dec/Jan that warms up in the daytime in LA and you should be fine.

And if driving, you'll see lots of critters on roads off the main highways

 

[adbaby]

You'll be fine as long as you can get across the long drive of Texas, lol (if driving).

Think a cold front in Dec/Jan that warms up in the daytime in LA and you should be fine.

And if driving, you'll see lots of critters on roads off the main highways

work in texas often and was born in houston, thats not a problem!

thanks.

 

[Tmac]

Im below sea level in Louisiana so any elevation is elevation and any "mild temperature" to yall is arctic to me.

Well Chama sits just under 8,000 feet. I’m at 250 ish feet and am convinced there is little air above 5’ and no air above 8’. Seriously, a couple days to adjust helps, but it takes longer to fully acclimate. The better shape you are in the easier it goes. Good luck and have fun.

 

[North of 60]

There was a good thread about altitude sickness and IIRC the docs mentioned around 8K is where AS is likely to start to happen if it does...didn't realize Chama was quite that high in elevation. With that in mind i would go a couple of days early to better adjust to the elevation. Stay hydrated and get to a lower altitude if you start to have symptoms. AS is no joke...my son's buddy almost had to bail on our thru-hike of the Colorado Trail due to AS.

Another suggestion is to re-zero your rifle at elevation before hunting since you are coming from the low lands.

 

[CAElkhunter]

Good broken in boots. Best optics you can afford. Practice shooting out to 300 yds. Bring layers of clothing.
Go out slightly cold and put on layers as needed if you are hiking. Don't go out all bundled up and sweat. You will then never get warm.

As said above, they are tough bastards so don't stop shooting until they are down. Tracking a wounded Elk
is not something you or your guide want to do.

I saw a guy years ago shoot a bull with a 338 Magnum with guide saying hit him again. Client said "he ain't goin nowhere, it's a 338..." Hours later they never found the bull.

 

[Chris in TN]

There was a good thread about altitude sickness and IIRC the docs mentioned around 8K is where AS is likely to start to happen if it does...didn't realize Chama was quite that high in elevation. With that in mind i would go a couple of days early to better adjust to the elevation. Stay hydrated and get to a lower altitude if you start to have symptoms. AS is no joke...my son's buddy almost had to bail on our thru-hike of the Colorado Trail due to AS.

Agreed.

Saying 'Chama' could put him anywhere from 7k to 11k-ish depending on where exactly he's going.

Being out there two days early is a huge help. I've known people far, far fitter than myself, that really struggled above even 7k', and I - not the world's fittest man - last year at age 50 showed up on day 1 doing a short hike near 10k with no problems whatsoever. Point being, fitness won't predict whether AS is a thing for OP, and the best cure for it, is to be there 2 days early and get acclimated before he pushes hard.

 

[TimberRunner]

Might consider diamox if worried about AS. Just make sure you drink excessive water.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Chama is relatively low elevation but still higher than an easterner will be used to. Expect mild weather in early October.

Chama is around 7850 and everything is uphill from there. I have been hunting there every year since 1990 and being from New Orleans the altitude kicks my behind. We go up a week early to try to get acclimated, but it takes a lot longer than a week to be able keep up with your guide that lives up there year round. I hunted the Quinlan Ranch for the first 20 years until it sold for the second time. Then I stayed hunting with the Quinlan brothers on ranches in the area. Some places on the Quinlan ranch were 9000 feet or more.
Stay well hydrated, keeping alcohol and caffeine consumption to a minimum. The scenery and mountain air will make the trip worth it.

In addition to water, water, and more water consider electrolyte supplements also. I take Wilderness Athlete Hydrate and Recover, and also LMNT powder. They both really help a lot. I have a Camelbak hydration system that I use frequently while in the mountains on the hunt.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Chama is a really small town. Make sure you have everything you need when you get there. The closest fairly large town is Pagosa Springs, Co, a little over 50 miles away.

 

[Laelkhunter]

There is a Lowes Grocery Store in town, prices are a little high. You can stock up on water and Gatorade there. Also a Pharmacy in town if you get the sniffles. Fina's Diner for breakfast and Feliciano's for awesome pizza (not exactly on your lo carb hunting diet).

Mom and Dad's Diner is a great Family atmosphere for all day meals. Owned by a Retired New Mexico State Police Officer and his Wife.

JV's diner is really good for lunch, but catching them open will be like trying to find the BOAL. Excellent green chile burgers and stiffed sopaipillas.

 

[hunting1]

Beautiful area, have fun, lots of elk. Cool mornings and warm afternoons. Could be 60 degrees or a foot of snow.

 

[yfarm]

I drew a tag in 51 one year, on Labor Day weekend was in Taos on my way to the unit to scout and it was snowing, drove west to 64 and the campgrounds had a foot of snow. Talked to a rancher who leased in unit 4, had bow hunters trapped on his ranch, had 3 ft of snow, had to send a 4wd tractor in to break trail to get their trucks out, trailers stayed there until later in September after the snow melted.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The area used to have a lot of big bulls. The Chama Land & Cattle Co used to guide hunters and they had a reputation for getting big bulls, but one of the Apache Tribes bought them out at least 10 years ago. They still hunt there, but it is pricey. Used to go to their headquarters and drool over the mounts on the walls.