Montana to New Mexico

[xander12312]

I’ve spent the last few years learning the ropes of big game hunting in SW Montana. I’m primarily an elk and deer hunter, but I’m branching out this spring for my first bear hunt on public land in the mountains around Butte.

I have a move to New Mexico coming up soon, so I joined to get some intel on a completely different landscape and tag system. I'm looking forward to picking the brains of the guys who know that country. Glad to be here and happy to contribute where I can.

Thanks,

 

[Elkman17]

Welcome to the forum! Good luck on the move

 

[Pony Soldier]

The last place I would hunt bear would be Butte. It's a little light on habitat. I have lived here for 38 years and only cut bear tracks 3 times.

I would consider Rock creek or St Regis first. Lots of bears but steep country.

 

[xander12312]

The last place I would hunt bear would be Butte. It's a little light on habitat. I have lived here for 38 years and only cut bear tracks 3 times.

I would consider Rock creek or St Regis first. Lots of bears but steep country.

Thabks for the intel. Im gonna check out the pioneers, any experience there?

 

[swavescatter]

Unit or location specific hunting info is specifically prohibited on this site.

Xander - plenty of info on the world wide web already. Get some boots on the ground and find some places that suit your style.

 

[Gila]

If you want to consistently hunt big game, you will want to continue to hunt Montana and start points in Colorado. There are few tags in the New Mexico public draws . Most of the tags are landowner tags that are sold over the counter to non-residents with no quotas. There is a high confidence that you will not be drawn for Pronghorn in your lifetime. Mule deer are in decline. Few tags make it into the public draws for a good unit. If you want to be drawn for a mature bull elk in a decent unit in your lifetime; I suggest taking up muzzleloading or archery.

We haven’t had any snow pack at all in the Southern half of New Mexico. Very little in the North as well. For two winters now. They are talking about the Rio Grande drying up for good. My hay vendor said there may be little hay this summer. The elk herds are in decline in the greater Gila units and Valle Vidal. The number of wolves have met the expectations of the ESA. The DOW is replacing early rifle seasons with muzzle loader hunts. Many trout streams are in trouble. Check out the link in my signature. It is not all doom and gloom….but it is getting awfully gloomy here.