Elk Hunting in New Mexico

[elkunter45]

I am new here, but I wanted to share my elk hunting experience with you.
I have hunted in New Mexico for 13 years and have harvested 11 elk one of the last ones I shot was in the 350 class.

 

[Maverick1]

Welcome!

 

[elkunter45]

THANKS

 

[Maverick1]

I like your username, that’s good. Being in New Mexico I assume it is referencing the Spanish wording and is pronounced el-kunter. I have a brother named Mike, he also likes to hunt. When he heads deep into the bush we call him Mike Hunt.

@elkunter45 - what caliber rifle did you use to shoot the elk in your picture above? Can you tell me about the scope? Nice bull!

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Welcome. Great success rate, about 85%. Now days I'm strictly a meat hunter, so it's cows for me. I have about the same success rate.

 

[elkunter45]

I like your username, that’s good. Being in New Mexico I assume it is referencing the Spanish wording and is pronounced el-kunter. I have a brother named Mike, he also likes to hunt. When he heads deep into the bush we call him Mike Hunt.

@elkunter45 - what caliber rifle did you use to shoot the elk in your picture above? Can you tell me about the scope? Nice bull!

I used four different rifles to shot the 11 elk. That elk in the picture was shot with a Howa action with a bartlin barrel in a 300 PRC cal. The scope is Zwarovski Z6 3-18x50 reloaded with a Hammer bullet

 

[Scottf270]

Troll, troll, troll your boat..........

 

[elkunter45]

I used four different rifles to shot the 11 elk. That elk in the picture was shot with a Howa action with a bartlin barrel in a 300 PRC cal. The scope is Zwarovski Z6 3-18x50 reloaded with a Hammer bullet

Troll, troll, troll your boat..........

You know It doesn't matter where you go or what you reply to there is always someone who always has to have a smart remark

 

[THallock]

New Mexico is a good state. I've drawn once in 9 years of trying. All public land hunting. I would go again if they ever give me a tag again !

 

[roll with the punches]

I am new here, but I wanted to share my elk hunting experience with you.
I have hunted in New Mexico for 13 years and have harvested 11 elk one of the last ones I shot was in the 350 class.

Curious if you've hunted in Unit 4? Western end near Lumberton? Have a private hunt potentially lined up but do not know much about the area. Ranch is +/- 6,000 acres. Historically we've have hunted Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness and in Gunnison, CO. This will be our first New Mexico trip.

 

[Iowa.guy.7mmMag]

I'm on the verge of paying high dollar to acquire a New Mexico Unit 12 elk tag first rifle season in Oct. but I have heard a mix review of the health of the herd in that area / unit. I'm not asking for any spot-on info just general elk herd health / numbers that is from the past couple years. Is it worth paying high dollar to hunt private ground in that area. I will be on private ground 5000 acres that only has 1 elk tag available for the first rifle season in early Oct so I will have it to myself with no one else on the property for any reason which sounds great, it will be my first elk trip to New Mexico. I shoot a 7mm Rem. Mag that is very accurate out to 600 on an elk size kill zone. There may be 1 archery hunter on that private ground before me, and I'm good with that. I have heard on this piece of private that they have shot a couple of monsters over the years and the area usually has a healthy herd of 310 to 340 class bulls with a chance at some bigger bulls over the last 8-9 years. Any help to make my decision to pull the trigger on this tag would be very appreciated. I've posted this same question in a couple of New Mexico threads today trying to get some info.

 

[trophyhill]

Congrats on a great bull! And your success! Finally someone not posting unit numbers! Thanks!

 

[575 ELK]

I'm on the verge of paying high dollar to acquire a New Mexico Unit 12 elk tag first rifle season in Oct. but I have heard a mix review of the health of the herd in that area / unit. I'm not asking for any spot-on info just general elk herd health / numbers that is from the past couple years. Is it worth paying high dollar to hunt private ground in that area. I will be on private ground 5000 acres that only has 1 elk tag available for the first rifle season in early Oct so I will have it to myself with no one else on the property for any reason which sounds great, it will be my first elk trip to New Mexico. I shoot a 7mm Rem. Mag that is very accurate out to 600 on an elk size kill zone. There may be 1 archery hunter on that private ground before me, and I'm good with that. I have heard on this piece of private that they have shot a couple of monsters over the years and the area usually has a healthy herd of 310 to 340 class bulls with a chance at some bigger bulls over the last 8-9 years. Any help to make my decision to pull the trigger on this tag would be very appreciated. I've posted this same question in a couple of New Mexico threads today trying to get some info.

I think you should pull the trigger on that hunt ! You need to remember you’re buying a HUNT not an elk. From what you described, 5000 acres with no other hunters, big bulls have been killed there….you snooze you lose.

 

[Wildlifer54]

i'm new to this site also. 69yo and finishing rehab of my 3rd rotator cuff surgery. Still not ready to give up the compound so preparing for 2025. I've been on 13 hunts DIY over the last 35 years, 2 shots, one miss, no elk. Participated in many kills but just has never clicked for me. 1st hunt I hiked around a NF in Colorado carrying my bow then 3 incredible hunts in the CMR Missouri Breaks. After that we stumbled on a friend of a friend opportunity on a landowner tag private ranch opportunity in NM that was too good to believe and we knew it. It lasted 10 years and 8 hunts for me. 4 hunters each year probably took a dozen bulls total but it finally ended. Then I dealt with my first outfitter, in NM. I didn't draw three years in a row and finally sent him a deposit for a landowner tag and guided hunt. He then cancelled two covid years in a row, then folded and stole my 5K. I had really researched this guy. We spoke at least a dozen times. He ran into hard times but still, he took my money and NMWF is in no position to help, neither is NM Law Enforcement. Lawyers told me to not waste any more money. I'm not rich and this really was a low point in a 50 year bowhunting journey.

I convinced my wife to book a fully guided hunt in NM last year. She doesn't hunt but went along and stayed in the Lodge. Only had one sketchy opportunity that I didn't take but we still had a great time but too expensive to repeat without a lot of research for an alternative, which I am doing now.

Sorry for the long wind up but I am looking for another NM outfitter and, after my previous experience, am at a loss with who to trust. I like the northern part of the State south and west of Raton. I plan on applying through the draw but want a decent outfitter with a landowner tag as a backup. Any advice?

 

[tnelson25]

Any advice for Unit 16E? Drew a rifle tag and have still never killed an elk. Been close a lot during archery season but finally said screw it and trying with the long gun. Also kids change how much time I can get away from the family

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Any advice for Unit 16E? Drew a rifle tag and have still never killed an elk. Been close a lot during archery season but finally said screw it and trying with the long gun. Also kids change how much time I can get away from the family

Not sure how much long gun shooting you have done, but I would say you need to be comfortable shooting out to 500 yards. I have had some, what for me were long ons, longest 460.

 

[tnelson25]

Thanks. Hoping to get a little closer than that, preferably 300 but can only wait and see I guess. Rifle is dialed out to 800 if need be but I'm not shooting that far on an elk. Follow up shot is a different story

 

[cmorris6]

I'm on the verge of paying high dollar to acquire a New Mexico Unit 12 elk tag first rifle season in Oct. but I have heard a mix review of the health of the herd in that area / unit. I'm not asking for any spot-on info just general elk herd health / numbers that is from the past couple years. Is it worth paying high dollar to hunt private ground in that area. I will be on private ground 5000 acres that only has 1 elk tag available for the first rifle season in early Oct so I will have it to myself with no one else on the property for any reason which sounds great, it will be my first elk trip to New Mexico. I shoot a 7mm Rem. Mag that is very accurate out to 600 on an elk size kill zone. There may be 1 archery hunter on that private ground before me, and I'm good with that. I have heard on this piece of private that they have shot a couple of monsters over the years and the area usually has a healthy herd of 310 to 340 class bulls with a chance at some bigger bulls over the last 8-9 years. Any help to make my decision to pull the trigger on this tag would be very appreciated. I've posted this same question in a couple of New Mexico threads today trying to get some info.

I would try a unit 34, 36 first rifle if you’re willing to pay. The rut (in my humble experience) typically starts later (end of sept. / early Oct.) and can be awesome for rifle hunters. I typically archery hunt and have generally been in on mostly pre-rut elk in those units in mid-late September. There are a ton of elk in both, but you will have to pass up a multitude of 250” + bulls in order to get to the 300” + class range. My friend passed on multiple bulls for 6 days before he shot his 339”. 340” isn’t super common obviously, but just making the point there are those caliber bulls in these units. You will have no problem getting into elk everyday, unlike CO where you might not see a bull for 2-3 days because they are much more pocketed. 36 has more wilderness if you’re looking for that type of adventure. Good luck.