NM Gila hunt

[Mjay]

Hi guys , so I’m new to hunting never put in for a tag in my life and tried my odds and drew my first choice(first rifle hunt in 16A).I would prefer not to outfit. Wondering if anyone has ever hunted the area and would like to share some areas to check out. I plan to do a lot of scouting just trying to find a starting point.

 

[ShortMountain91]

Well that's some crazy beginners luck! Wow what a first tag man. You should go do CO OTC archery first just so your not let down every hunt afterward. I've never hunted 16a so got nothing there but just wanted to say wow. Hope you enjoy that tag!

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[Mjay]

Well that's some crazy beginners luck! Wow what a first tag man. You should go do CO OTC archery first just so your not let down every hunt afterward. I've never hunted 16a so got nothing there but just wanted to say wow. Hope you enjoy that tag!
Thanks! Managed to get my first choice deer also guess what they say is true the sun does shine on a dogs ass.
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[Pacific_Fork]

Since you are new to hunting and this is the first tag you've ever put in for I would be focusing on getting your weapon dialed in and practice as much as possible, this cant be said enough. Next, if you have never broken down and animal and processed the meat you need to learn that right away either from someone you know or watching the dozens of youtube videos out there, elk are huge animals and breaking one down solo is major task especially if youve never even broken down a deer. Dont worry about the areas to check out in the Gila 16A. Throw a dart on the map and you will find elk, hence the reason for the extreme low draw odds. Just find a spot you would be comfortable camping out for 10 days. Get there a few days early and scout. Dont shoot the first bull you see unless you're confident its a mature bull. Do it DIY, the guides in the Gila are the most unethical Outfitters I have ever seen in any western state and I wouldnt say something like this had I not seen horrendous things with my own eyes. I hunted it DIY 2 years ago 2nd rifle, thats all I will say about that. Just curious, what/who made you put in for this tag?

 

[Mjay]

Thanks, for the reply. I go out shooting weekly and will continue till hunting season. I have also broken down bucks before last season that cousins killed. I’m thinking the dart thing seems to be a thing being that I’ve heard that multiple times might have to give it a try. I put in for this tag because my cousin brought a monster home last year so it’s proven. Did you kill one when you went? What part did you hunt ? Oh my brother in law attached to mine and I already have 3 family members going to help pack out.

 

[Dvidos]

Well that's some crazy beginners luck! Wow what a first tag man. You should go do CO OTC archery first just so your not let down every hunt afterward. I've never hunted 16a so got nothing there but just wanted to say wow. Hope you enjoy that tag!

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+1

 

[Brooks]

I’d start where your cousin started.

 

[AZmark]

Hi guys , so I’m new to hunting never put in for a tag in my life and tried my odds and drew my first choice(first rifle hunt in 16A).I would prefer not to outfit. Wondering if anyone has ever hunted the area and would like to share some areas to check out. I plan to do a lot of scouting just trying to find a starting point.

You didnt mention if you had a deer or elk hunt in 16A. Ive hunted Unit 16A once but usually Unit 23 which borders 16A on the its west side Hwy 180. My son and I have deer tags in 23 for the Nov 14-18 hunt so will be in that area if your hunts corresponds with ours. I live just across the state line in AZ from Unit 23 and drive though that area frequently. PM me if you want.

 

[Mjay]

You didnt mention if you had a deer or elk hunt in 16A. Ive hunted Unit 16A once but usually Unit 23 which borders 16A on the its west side Hwy 180. My son and I have deer tags in 23 for the Nov 14-18 hunt so will be in that area if your hunts corresponds with ours. I live just across the state line in AZ from Unit 23 and drive though that area frequently. PM me if you want.

Thanks for the response! I got a tag for elk with any legal weapon October 17-21. I have been e-scouting a lot for water holes and am gonna go down this weekend to scout. So I will definitely check out your suggestion.i appreciate the help!

 

[AZmark]

Where are you located? Close enough to make easy scouting trips? I always see elk along 180 right around the junction to the road that goes to Pueblo Park/Blue River. I may be in that area this weekend doing some turkey hunting and if so will be visiting a friend that lives in 16A at Rancho Grande, just south of Reserve NM. I'll ask him for some ideas.

 

[Mjay]

Thanks for the response, I am located 6 1/2 hours away from reserve so not so close but I plan on making the time to do some scouting. I really would appreciate all the help I can get . Hope you get to go hunting! Thanks again

 

[Jeronimoelk]

Where are you located? Close enough to make easy scouting trips? I always see elk along 180 right around the junction to the road that goes to Pueblo Park/Blue River. I may be in that area this weekend doing some turkey hunting and if so will be visiting a friend that lives in 16A at Rancho Grande, just south of Reserve NM. I'll ask him for some ideas.

Anybody out there with any intel on 16b or 22? I drew archery Sept 15-24 this year.

 

[keller]

I tagged along on a 16d hunt last year if its at all similiar.you won't have a problem finding elk.get off the road everyone road hunts with side by sides.once off the road the only person we seen was a guide packing a bull out.

 

[Beendare]

The Rockslide staff sent out a memo...'There will be no giving out sacred honey holes'
Whole threads on the subject.

......otherwise I would tell you right where they are tied up.

 

[CAElkhunter]

If you are new and drew that tag...I would hire an outfitter. Why waste time on that tag learning. You may never draw that tag again....

 

[WRO]

Couple questions..

How much hunting experience do you have overall?

Do you have anyone going with you?

Have you ever loaded a pack before with meat? an elk is a much bigger chore than a deer.

I get not wanting to use a guide, but there's a lot you can learn from a good one.

Do you have good glass? Good pack? Good camp gear?

One could easily spend 4k in gear getting set up and easily eat the tag.

You could be setting yourself up for a shitshow..

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[trophyhill]

Congrats on the tag. Now get your happy azz down there and find out what the Gila is all about. You have ample time to scout that whole area being only 6 hours away. You should be down there at least one weekend a month. Even 2

Anybody out there with any intel on 16b or 22? I drew archery Sept 15-24 this year.

Horses

 

[Ctitus25]

I drew the second archery tag for 16A for this year, however since I've never been there I went the guide route. If it' any consolation, the guidance I was given was make sure you are in shape. You may find an elk right off the road and have the easiest pack out of your life, or get one 5 miles in and have one of the most difficult pack outs.

 

[KHNC]

Hunting elk in 16A is easy. Its the holy grail of elk tags. No need for a guide or experience. Just pick a canyon and go. With a rifle you should be tagged out by noon on day 1. Good luck!

 

[cercanbrack]

I hunted 16a last year with a bow, with a rifle you should be able to shoot a bull by noon opening morning.... However, if you have never hunted elk I would hire a guide. Like a few people already said, you probably will never draw that tag again so make it worth it.