Fall 2025 Options

[jdwelch93]

I’ve two options. 7000 acres of private land in Utah to bow hunt August 22-26 or New Mexico public land NE unit rifle October 6-11.. both hunts are guided.
What would you choose and why?

 

[Andyram_18]

Depends on where the property is in UT. You will be pre rut, hunting summer patterns so it will be spot and stalk or possibly tree stand in UT. Depends on what fits your hunting style. Can’t speak to New Mexico.

 

[jgilber5]

I'd edit that unit number out in NM. I've spent time there. Water is a concern in alot of that unit, and its looking like it's going to be a really bad drought year. I'd reconsider.

 

[jdwelch93]

Depends on where the property is in UT. You will be pre rut, hunting summer patterns so it will be spot and stalk or possibly tree stand in UT. Depends on what fits your hunting style. Can’t speak to New Mexico.

I’m a whitetail guy so tree stands aren’t foreign to me, but not what I really want to drive 30 hours to do. Spot and stalk is what I’m hoping for.

 

[jdwelch93]

I'd edit that unit number out in NM. I've spent time there. Water is a concern in alot of that unit, and it’s looking like it's going to be a really bad drought year. I'd reconsider.

Changed it to just say NE New Mexico.. but I wasn’t asking anything specific about the unit. Just curious if this group would give insight on if theyd rather hunt with a bow real early in the season on private land or hunt with a rifle in NM on public.

 

[bz_711]

If UT is 11,000+ ft in the high country I'd consider it...otherwise hunting hot Aug weather doesn't appeal to me...and I'd take Oct fall conditions in NM.

Good Luck either way!

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Price tag would also dictate

 

[Maverick1]

I would hunt both. The seasons do not overlap. Tags are going to get harder to come by. The mountains are getting steeper as you get older. If you have the funds and can get the time off, that's what I would do.

If it is an either/or and you must pick one, pick the one you enjoy the most. I prefer bow hunting over rifle, so that would be my choice. YMMV.

@jdwelch93 - How certain are you that you can actually get a tag in either state?

 

[El_bosque]

Utah, better landscape.

 

[CMF]

Changed it to just say NE New Mexico.. but I wasn’t asking anything specific about the unit. Just curious if this group would give insight on if theyd rather hunt with a bow real early in the season on private land or hunt with a rifle in NM on public.

Can you not hunt with a bow on the nm rifle hunt? can't remember their regs on that. Should still hear bugling, weather would be cooler. The bull in my pic came in bugling on a string to a cow call on Oct. 11 nm youth hunt.

 

[jdwelch93]

I would hunt both. The seasons do not overlap. Tags are going to get harder to come by. The mountains are getting steeper as you get older. If you have the funds and can get the time off, that's what I would do.

If it is an either/or and you must pick one, pick the one you enjoy the most. I prefer bow hunting over rifle, so that would be my choice. YMMV.

@jdwelch93 - How certain are you that you can actually get a tag in either state?

Both hunts are through an outfitter. Utah is a CWMU tag, NM is a landowner tag. I prefer bow hunting as well, but I wish I could do both.

 

[jdwelch93]

Can you not hunt with a bow on the nm rifle hunt? can't remember their regs on that. Should still hear bugling, weather would be cooler. The bull in my pic came in bugling on a string to a cow call on Oct. 11 nm youth hunt.

That’s a good point. I will have to look up the regulations on that.

 

[Maverick1]

Both hunts are through an outfitter. Utah is a CWMU tag, NM is a landowner tag. I prefer bow hunting as well, but I wish I could do both.

Then bow hunt.