GMU 31 New Mexico

[Graindrain]

Went scouting this weekend and found a few spots.

Did not see any mule deer but saw a few speed goats.

Anyone have any luck in this area? I have found multiple spots but I am either am going to have to become a ninja or hunt these grey ghosts Texas style and set up a pop up blind.

Not looking for spots to hunt, but guidance. Do mule deer view popup blinds like white tail or more like elk?

Can I set one up in the dark and hope they come to the water holes, or will they spook at something new to the area?

 

[IChaseCoues]

I can't help with the blind question but I will say there are deer in 31. Try finding some sandy country on state land. I would start the search around Milnesand!

 

[Graindrain]

I was out in the area all day yesterday and between me, and a couple other guys we are not seeing any deer.

It's still too hot. 90* plus everyday.

Season starts today for dove and archery deer. They will all become nocturnal for sure now. I think I am just going to wait for the January hunt.

 

[Graindrain]

It snowed 12+ inches in this unit over the weekend with reports of 10 foot snow drifts. I leave on Thursday to start hunting first thing Friday. I took off until the January 11. Lets hope I can stay warm and don't get stuck in the mud too much. I'll update once I am back.

 

[tlowell02]

Good luck! I will be over in unit 30 hoping for much of the same.

 

[nsedillo]

My old man is a railroader down in that area, didn't know much about that area till he started working down there. Seen a lot pics in the last few years, all i got say is there are some BBBIIIGGG bucks down there. If you can, hunt state land that borders private, thats what i would do, find canyons, or mesquite patches. However, glass, glass, glass, and i would recommend hunting from the truck on this one. And most importantly take a few shovels, chains, tow straps... I say this because three winters ago, we were hunting barbary sheep in more or less the same area and a similar storm rolled thru, well that day we high centered three times in the snow that day, the last one we only made it out because several ranchers from the area came and gave us a hand because we got stuck so bad in the bar ditch in a six foot drift.

It sounds like you are fully aware of what you are getting yourself into, just take the necessary precautions. Have fun! You won't see a lot of deer but the deer you will see will make that finger itch. All the best and good luck! Hope i was a tad helpful.

 

[Graindrain]

Thank you. You are correct. I work the area and live only 1.5 hours away. I know the area quite well. The deer are very elusive, but I will be happy to take a legal fork antlered buck. I won't be able to come home without meat. My wife will be pissed if I have spent all this time and money and come home empty handed.

During the September hunt I got high centered 3 times in a long bed Chevy 3500. This time I am bringing two shovels!

Supposed to snow another inch Friday. I bought a pair of Muck Boots yesterday just for insurance. The lows have been in the 20s and high during the day up to 45. So its a constant thaw/freeze problem. The roads are terrible. I just hope I can drive down them. The local backhoe will be busy, lol.

 

[JPD350]

I am headed to the Roswell area, LOL lucky me! it doesn't look good down there but I am sure it will be an experience that I won't soon forget, just hope I can find a place I can get into and hunt.

Best of luck to everyone!

 

[MrCreepy]

How'd you do Graindrain?

 

[Graindrain]

Weather was terrible the first 5 days, fogged out half of the 6th. Snow/Rain/Fog and sub 20* temps let off on the 7th. The fog was the worst problem, it sometimes never lifted until after lunch.

Those first 6 days were hell! No deer, trailer ran out of propane, and was constantly getting stuck in the "roads".

Something switched on day 7. Everywhere I looked I could see does, and a few small bucks. I was determined to put a stalk on every legal buck to gain experience.

It didn't take me long to realize you are not hunting for a buck but doing everything you can to avoid does.

Long story short, does from different herds kept busting me on every stalk and was never able to let an arrow go.

The big bucks where done staying with the groups of does, every big buck I saw was roaming looking for the last remaining hot doe.

I was able to put a one last stalk on a bedded buck, crawled, rolled, slid, and crept up on him for about 2.5 hours got within 45 yards and the good ol' 50 mph New Mexico light breeze kicked up the exact moment I let an arrow go and my 470 grain arrow flying at 270 fps looked like a wet noodle flying through the air. The wind pushed my arrow 3 feet in front of him.

My buddy was convinced it hit my rest, but we went back to the truck and I hit two bulls eyes at 40 yards. Just the never ending wind out there.

If you would have asked me on days 1-6 if I would apply again and the answer is a big NO. But after giving it a chance and sticking it out the entire 12 I had a good time and will apply again. I was successful in the term of I learned a lot, but no blood was drawn.

 

[MrCreepy]

Way to stay persistent ! Majority of hunters would have have given up.

I never practiced in wind until moving to West TX, so I know just what your talking about.

 

[Graindrain]

I practice in wind everyday, I live in Midland and grew up in Lubbock. The gusts that day were something else!

Where in West Texas are you?

 

[MrCreepy]

El Paso

 

[JPD350]

`Hey Graindrain, That was some crazy desert hunting for sure!!

I chained my tires up and just kept ramming and shoveling the snow drifts until I got through to a little area by the main roads, unfortunately once we opened it up people kept driving in, usually once they got to our trucks there was no where for them to go so most turned around but some were just A hole "quail hunters" they darn well knew we were bow hunting! so about 7 am they pull in and park by our trucks (camp) and walked towards the area we were hunting and started blasting quail, they literally peppered my friend who was tucked into some bushes, he stood up and told them a few things and they took off.
Back to the hunting, those first 5 or 6 days were rough, the snow had a 6" deep ice crust which made making a stalk impossible, all I could do was get in an area and hope the deer would come by me which almost worked every day, it usually ended up to where I couldn't move a muscle for hours as they milled around just out of range. Once things started melting the deer started disappearing, I got a few good stalks in but never got to release an arrow. All in all it was a very fun hunt, spent 10 days out in the desert, saw lots of deer, some nice bucks and did some pretty fun mud bogging, I'll be back for sure.

 

[JPD350]

This guy knew I could never get close

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A few other scenery pics

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