Elk NM 16A archery

Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
2
I will be chasing bulls in late September in unit 16A in the Gila. Any past 16A hunters have any words of wisdom? I will be scouting all summer and hope to find some rough back country spots to spike out in and avoid other hunters. Thanks for sharing if you feel comfortable.
 

vthokee

WKR
Joined
Mar 6, 2016
Messages
375
Location
Arkansas
You will be in one of the best ares of NM. Google earth and boots on the ground will be your friend. I wish I could help you out more but I haven't drawn a 16 tag yet.
 

Daniel0307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
124
I will be chasing bulls in late September in unit 16A in the Gila. Any past 16A hunters have any words of wisdom? I will be scouting all summer and hope to find some rough back country spots to spike out in and avoid other hunters. Thanks for sharing if you feel comfortable.
 

Daniel0307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
124
Hey john i drew a first season 16a tag for the first time ever... I have an outfitter but just thought I’d see if you’d share any info from your hunt.. thanks
 

Daniel0307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
124
A 15 min walk off of any road will place you away from 90% of the hunters- great tag.
Wow only a 15min walk? I figured most hunters who draw that tag would be pretty dedicated.. I’m expecting little bugling since it’s sept 1-14..? Have you been in this unit?
 

mike123

FNG
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
33
Location
NM
Great tag, rough country. If you dont have horses/mules, do yourself a huge favor and try to line up a few options for someone to come pack your meat out. Temps on that first season archery can still be well over 85 degrees on this hunt. Good luck!
 

Daniel0307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
124
Great tag, rough country. If you dont have horses/mules, do yourself a huge favor and try to line up a few options for someone to come pack your meat out. Temps on that first season archery can still be well over 85 degrees on this hunt. Good luck!
Thanks Mike, yep I’ve got horses... I’m assuming from your comment you have hunted there? I archery hunt in southern Colorado but don’t usually hunt over water holes but sounds like I might have too in the Gila.. Hoping I hear some bugles but not expecting it since it’s so early
 

Felix40

WKR
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
1,937
Location
New Mexico
I would bet you hear more bugling than you usually do in CO. People in NM are super lazy compared to CO so you wont have to hike far to get away from other hunters. I dont know that I would call it rough terrain either. I suppose that depends on what you are used to. If you can kill elk OTC in CO you will be loving life in NM.
 

techmanil

FNG
Joined
Nov 18, 2018
Messages
19
Location
IL
Know the public land boundaries. There is an outfitter that swings a "wide" control rope. He likes to try and run you off public ground claiming you are trespassing. Just make sure you know where you are and when he threatens to call the law tell him to have at it.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
2,726
Location
Tijeras NM
I would bet you hear more bugling than you usually do in CO. People in NM are super lazy compared to CO so you wont have to hike far to get away from other hunters. I dont know that I would call it rough terrain either. I suppose that depends on what you are used to. If you can kill elk OTC in CO you will be loving life in NM.

Oh c'mon that's an unfair statement and you know it. The terrain here, roads and lack of wilderness play a huge role in how certain areas get hunted. I can tell you that if while hunting the Gila this year I can call one right into camp, I'm gonna be lazy ;)
 

Daniel0307

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
124
Know the public land boundaries. There is an outfitter that swings a "wide" control rope. He likes to try and run you off public ground claiming you are trespassing. Just make sure you know where you are and when he threatens to call the law tell him to have at it.
Good to know!
 

CAM_D

FNG
Joined
Jan 31, 2021
Messages
81
Location
New Mexico
I will be chasing bulls in late September in unit 16A in the Gila. Any past 16A hunters have any words of wisdom? I will be scouting all summer and hope to find some rough back country spots to spike out in and avoid other hunters. Thanks for sharing if you feel comfortable.
Older thread, I know, but how did your hunt go? I'm going to be helping my uncle on his early September archery hunt this year. I've taken a few bulls in 16E in September, but my uncle has never taken a bull. He's getting older, and he's the one who got me into hunting as a 13 year old punk kid. I want to help him make the most of this tag.
 
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