Is applying in New Mexico worthless?

[Mcfar]

I'll add my 2 cents, for what's it's worth. I almost didn't apply in New Mexico this year because I was so pissed about how they handled the sheep draw last year, but I did and drew a 2nd season Unit 15 archery tag! I drew this tag 23 years ago and spent the whole season(it was 3 wks. long then) chasing elk. I missed a nice bull and had a blast chasing elk every day and saw some some real pigs! I lived in New Mexico(2005-2008) and applied every year for this unit wanting to hunt it again, but never drew. I put in for 16D a couple years ago with no luck. So here's my take, I want to hunt where there are good bulls and lots of them, first and foremost. It is a bonus if the country isn't straight up and down! I grew up in Idaho and outfitted and guided in the Frank Church for years(straight up and down)! I can understand the residents frustration in drawing tags and while I think the state could have come up with a better system, the country and the game take precedence over the politics for me. I do feel New Mexico basically sent out a big F... You to non-residents last year so I don't plan on spending much money there. I'll haul all my groceries and will camp out and haul my ATV and extra gas, so hopefully the only money they get from me will be for a few tanks of gas. I'm 60 so don't have a long time horizon left for hunting, so I don't apply in AZ for example, but I apply in most the other good states. I'd keep at it if I were you, doesn't really cost that much to apply and you get most of it back if you don't draw, and I do know what my odds are if I'm not in the game!

 

[roadrunner]

Just when I think I won't apply anymore, I try one more time and get skunked one more time. It's about time for the game commission to give more tags to residents and non-residents instead of LO's. Outfitters should not get the upper hand either with a special allotment.