New Mexico area 16

[trophyhill]

That’s a good point. In the early season I wear knee high snake boots. the rocks are a killer for sure. I have run into more buzz tails in there, early Sept. than I care to admit. so far I have only encountered the Hopis which are nasty enough but the diamond backs can ruin your day. I have not run into the killer mojave but they are in the Southern parts of the 16s from what folks have told me. Stepping over things isn’t a very good idea.

I had a close encounter with the biggest western Diamondback I’ve ever seen while hunting mid September. I was seeking shade below a rock outcropping mid day when I saw the tell tale black and white rings as he was slithering toward the outcropping and then disappeared into them. About mid body, you could see he had very large prey about the size of a German Shepard in there.

I don’t like spiders and snakes! I do not recommend floorless shelters or tents in the Gila.

One of the things I absolutely love about the Gila, particularly the wilderness is every day is an adventure in itself even if you aren’t hunting! You just never know what you will encounter or lay eyes on.

the number of bears down there is ridiculous. My guess is there are more black bears per square mile than anywhere else or at the very least will rival top bear numbers that anywhere else has to offer.

 

[Jtapia12]

The hardest part for me in the Gila is not cardio. It’s the rocky terrain. My feet hate the Gila, but the rest of me loves the Gila

The rocks are Killer! Especially when packing out

 

[Jtapia12]

I’m an old, fat guy and I don’t have a problem getting around In there. Just snake up the ridge and then snake the ridge back down. I live a mile high but generally only hunt up to round 8,500 ft. The elk in the 16s don’t migrate, they just move up and down. They will move around a few miles each day and they will move down into the winter range but other than that they are always in the same general area. As far as archery season goes, you will only be as successful as your skill set, but with a few days of preseason scouting you can get it done.

Maybe for archery but come October it's a different story

 

[Gila]

I pack bear spray on the belt. a sidearm is a good idea. Besides the bears, we have the pumas and Jaguars in the Southern 16s anyway. the Mexican grays seem to move in and finish off the carcasses from the archery season then move out in October.

 

[PAhunter58]

That’s a good point. In the early season I wear knee high snake boots. the rocks are a killer for sure. I have run into more buzz tails in there, early Sept. than I care to admit. so far I have only encountered the Hopis which are nasty enough but the diamond backs can ruin your day. I have not run into the killer mojave but they are in the Southern parts of the 16s from what folks have told me. Stepping over things isn’t a very good idea.

I've heard some good advice before about the Gila, but his quote about not stepping over things, is the most wise I've heard. I'll be an area just north of that for Oct. muzzy.

 

[trophyhill]

I pack bear spray on the belt. a sidearm is a good idea. Besides the bears, we have the pumas and Jaguars in the Southern 16s anyway. the Mexican grays seem to move in and finish off the carcasses from the archery season then move out in October.

Ya know? I’ve heard there were Jaguars down there but don’t know anyone who has actually seen one. Are those things man-eaters? My buddy released an arrow at a cougar after dark that was stalking him last year and pretty sure he hit it at 5’. The Gila can be spooky at night especially when solo hunting. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

[Gila]

Ya know? I’ve heard there were Jaguars down there but don’t know anyone who has actually seen one. Are those things man-eaters? My buddy released an arrow at a cougar after dark that was stalking him last year and pretty sure he hit it at 5’. The Gila can be spooky at night especially when solo hunting. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last season I was packing out an elk from 16 at night. I just felt exhilarated the whole time. The jags are rare but they are in there. They are as dangerous as a tiger and just as capable. The old timers talk about el oso plateado. Rumors have it that they have been seen in the Gila. I have seen some big boar black bears, but no sign of anything that big. I have been stalked by puma before, not a very good feeling.

 

[Trial153]

Night time in the Gila is spectacular

 

[NoWiser]

The Gila, in general, is spectacular. I certainly wouldn't worry about jaguars there, though. I have encountered rattlesnakes in 16A. I pray every spring that the hunting Gods will give me the opportunity to experience that place in September at least one more time in my life.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

Last season I was packing out an elk from 16 at night. I just felt exhilarated the whole time. The jags are rare but they are in there. They are as dangerous as a tiger and just as capable. The old timers talk about el oso plateado. Rumors have it that they have been seen in the Gila. I have seen some big boar black bears, but no sign of anything that big. I have been stalked by puma before, not a very good feeling.

This is the first I've heard of Jaguars being that far north. I know that there are new reintroduction proposal efforts. There is currently a Jaguar near Tucson, and have read about the Jaguars seen in the Animas mountains. I've spent a lot of time in the Gila, and would be curious to know more.

 

[NoWiser]

This is the first I've heard of Jaguars being that far north. I know that there are new reintroduction proposal efforts. There is currently a Jaguar near Tucson, and have read about the Jaguars seen in the Animas mountains. I've spent a lot of time in the Gila, and would be curious to know more.

I think it’s highly likely the rumor of jaguars in the Gila are just that - a rumor.

There is almost no possible way a jaguar could get a drink of water anywhere in the gila, in September, without getting its photo taken.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

I think it’s highly likely the rumor of jaguars in the Gila are just that - a rumor.

There is almost no possible way a jaguar could get a drink of water anywhere in the gila, in September, without getting its photo taken.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Jtapia12]

My thoughts exactly.

I've 16B for many years and never seen any jaguars

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

I've 16B for many years and never seen any jaguars

Same here. Ever see or hear the wolves?

 

[Jtapia12]

Same here. Ever see or hear the wolves?

I've never seen them but heard them once.

 

[Gila]

jags are in there....I have never seen or even tracked one but I sure would like to see one.

Jaguar habitat rediscovered in Arizona and New Mexico

www.oryxthejournal.org

 

[Gila]

I've never seen them but heard them once.

Wolves in the Gila....absolutely. More than possible to encounter wolves in the 16s during the archery season. They clean up the wounded elk. Not many there because a few years ago they trapped most out and put them in the wildlife refuge. The most likely encounters of the unwanted kind are bears looking for camp lunches. I put all of my food in bear proof cooler and chain it to a tree.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Wolves in the Gila....absolutely. More than possible to encounter wolves in the 16s during the archery season. They clean up the wounded elk. Not many there because a few years ago they trapped most out and put them in the wildlife refuge. The most likely encounters of the unwanted kind are bears looking for camp lunches. I put all of my food in bear proof cooler and chain it to a tree.

You must be really popular. This whole thread is about you. LOL

 

[Jtapia12]

jags are in there....I have never seen or even tracked one but I sure would like to see one.

Jaguar habitat rediscovered in Arizona and New Mexico

www.oryxthejournal.org

You and me both

 

[trophyhill]

I think it’s highly likely the rumor of jaguars in the Gila are just that - a rumor.

There is almost no possible way a jaguar could get a drink of water anywhere in the gila, in September, without getting its photo taken.

I would think you are correct that at least a photo or 2 would exist by now for sure. There are game cams all over the Gila. Although it wouldn’t shock me in the least if there were a few in there. I’ve heard some say that there are no cougars east of the Mississippi too