High Elevation = Larger Bucks?

[Tmac]

Has anyone seen bucks in the gila wilderness in NM at the higher elevations? Planning a hunt and trying to decide on 8-10k or 6.5-8k elevation for the trip.

I’ve hunted close to it, just to the east. Been some years ago. Was warm and dry. The MD we found, and there were not many, we’re not all the way on top, but on the upper 1/3 of the mountains. They were orientated to semi open hillsides, presumably for feed.

Unless you have recent intel, I’d suggest scouting for sign and picking my area/elevation accordingly. Maybe a call to the area biologist or warden would be productive.

 

[sshhh]

These are great points, and perspective. Most guys would have quit hoping for the big buck after 3 or 4 days of not seeing him again, telling themselves they'd blown it out, someone else must have gotten it, or that it was migrating, or some other nonsense. Especially if they're seeing a couple of good mid-range bucks too, during season.

It also adds to the importance in decision-making in turning up a target buck during scouting - if that doesn't happen pre-season, it's not the best idea to pass up good, solid bucks during the season in hopes of stumbling into unverified success. It's a lot easier to pass up mid-range bucks if you know a brute is out there, and you just need to hunt harder and better.

"It's a lot easier to pass up mid-range bucks if you know a brute is out there"

^^^this is good stuff^^^ and can really hone a guys determination and perserverance to hold fast, you will eventually be rewarded for holding out. It may be the first season you do it, it may not it may be the second but it'll happen and you'll become a more proficient Hunter for it. I get great satisfaction from watching Bucks walk, especially when I have the element of surprise and they never even knew I was there (you should always strive for this, as he may live and end up growing into a target in years to come, better you remain a Ghost and the less they know the better).