Gila unit outfitters

[NMJM]

If your applying as a NR not in the outfitter pool, figuring out guides and details is like asking which attorney and accountant I should hire because I just bough a Powerball ticket.

 

[Gila]

A non-resident doesn’t really need an outfitter/guide unless they think they need one or want one. The GMUs are smaller and not as rugged as GMUs in other mountain states. A DIY wilderness hunt is tough without horses but some non-residents bring their horses, set-up camps. Most experienced non-resident elk hunters want to go DIY. Most of the big game authorizations which are landowners tags (Private only and unit wide) tags are bought up by outfitters.

The ranches are either owned by outfitters or are contracted out to outfitters. Only half (at best) of the total tags for many GMUs are in the public draw. 84% of half means extremely low draw odds. 6% (DIY non-residents) of half is extremely low odds. In fact very few residents are able to get any landowners tags at all. E-plus unit wide landowner tags aren’t sold to residents unless an outfitter has a last minute cancellation. But usually those authorizations are sold to another outfitter.

Quite a few NM residents are either putting in for the public draw in other states or just giving up hunting altogether. We are sick and tired of being scammed for expensive lottery tickets. I would think that non-residents would feel the same way. Of course there are always a few wealthy hunters who just want to jump on a plane and hunt…Not enough of them to sustain the “system” though.

 

[Gila]

Kinda correct, but not necessarily if you are willing to pay stupid prices.

If one is cable of paying those prices. Not many hunters can afford to spend 30K-40K on big game hunting every season.