New Mexico Elk - Unit 16b need hunt help!

[cmbbulldog]

Line up some horses and have them pack you in.... and more importantly pack out an elk if you kill one.

 

[trophyhill]

If you guys are smart, you'll do your homework and not tell a soul where you hunt. Especially on the forums. And that goes for any unit you hunt.

Pick maps apart, mark them on OnX, scout if you can to learn the country, plan on packing water in if going in on foot, take a filter in case you do find water, plan on 70+ degrees daytime and 50+ at night. Get good stiff soled boots if you don't have any. Take some kind of bear protection just in case. I see bears every trip.

Have a good plan for field dressing and packing in warm temps. Good knife, learn how to call if you haven't already. Expect to see other hunters if going in on foot. It's tough rocky terrain and no where near as easy as the topos make it look. Be prepared to travel alot to find them or stay in an area you've made yourself familiar with on the maps. You should know it intimately before ever stepping foot in it.

Be ready for unstable winds as canyons and draws run in all directions and the winds are constantly shifting. Try to recognize terrain features where elk may rut at night, and don't camp there, but camp within striking distance and or where you can possibly hear rutting activity from a striking distance. Buy a fall turkey tag. Pack it in? Pack it out.

The Gila is a special place. It's a healthy forest compared to what I've seen in spruce forests of Colorado. There's Pinon Pines, juniper's, cedar, lodgepole pine, several different types of oak, and great food for great genetics when there is good rain throughout the summer.

Hopefully it will rain and fill tanks. It's pretty brown right now. Some snow up high but accessing those further reaches is probably further than you'd want to pack out if on foot. Do yourself a favor if you haven't already, take good quality gear that you will trust with your life. Practice your shooting. Alot! You just could have the bull of a lifetime in front of you, and you don't want to blow it. Don't stare at a monster rack if he's coming. Focus on the kill shot. And most of all, have fun! What a great and fun unit if you do it right.

Bulls cruise alot in that unit. Last year we scouted an area and set trail cams. Daily elk up until Around the 10th. Then little to no activity other than bears and mountain lions. So they disappeared for the 2nd hunt. Possible they moved back in after we moved out. But the cams went with us so we'll never know.

No cell service. Ya may want to invest in an In Reach or similar device. Take extras of everything you can and have the back ups in the truck.

I prefer a fully enclosed tent. I hate fire ants, piss ants, biting ants of any kind, black widows, brown recluses, scorpions and mesquitos, and be aware of the occasional Western Diamondback. Choose your napping spots wisely

 

[trophyhill]

Line up some horses and have them pack you in.... and more importantly pack out an elk if you kill one.

Can't remember the name but there's some cabins for rent where they also will pack you in and out if you can catch them before they get booked. But it's not cheap. Good plan if you've got the $$$

 

[WIBowhunter23]

Jeronimoelk I drew the same tag for this fall and at this point am looking at DIY solo. Do you have the 1st season or 2nd? If 2nd we should talk.