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.