NM unit 17 youth

[johnsd16]

Well, didn't expect to but my 14 yo son drew NM 17 for the late Nov youth tag. I'd looked at the unit a fair bit as we have friends who recently moved to ABQ but realize that is a decent drive. I hunted NV 103 with him last September on the muzzleloader tag and we got into deer and had an opportunity at a good buck (150-160" 4x4) but with the equipment needed just another half second to get the shot off. This looks like big country similar to the Ruby's but what I would like to get a sense of is what to expect for deer movement out of the higher elevations during the hunt dates (11/18-26). I suspect quite a bit of snow up high, but if anyone has experience in the unit as far as snow that time of year and how the roads are. Certainly pm if preferred.

Given the distance from home in N ID I would also be open to an outfitter even though I've never gone that route before. I only have him at home for 4 more fall hunting seasons. Last year in NV was a great time even though the tag came home intact. If anyone knows of any outfitters for fully guided, or drop camp (if that is a thing that late in 17) feel free to pm.

 

[cuerro viejo]

its a pretty simple unit to get around in. East side is my favorite. Snow comes and goes. I’ve been up at the top in Jan hunting archery hunting with no snow.

 

[dtrkyman]

I wouldn't be too concerned with snow.

 

[johnsd16]

Super helpful to know the tops won’t be snowed out.

 

[Marine4life]

NM has some of the best youth opportunities of any state. It will be a great hunt with the opportunity for a dandy. I grew up in the state and this unit has a variety of terrain. IMO find the does as the bucks will start to move as the rut gets going. I wouldn’t worry about snow unless you just happen to be there during a storm but there is also a lot of good deer country down lower that is very glassable. My recommendation is to get there a couple days early and scout. Have fun and I hope your kid gets a nice deer.


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[elkman224]

17 can be rugged and steep. PM me if you want a outfitters name that hunts there each year.

 

[Jrodeo]

Great unit for kids. Deer are high and low in that unit. Great habitat year around. Tons of does on the west side of the unit. That where I would concentrate on that particular hunt. Seems like access is better also. I wouldn’t recommend a drop camp for that unit. Plenty of good hunting and access in the foothills for the youngsters. Good luck, kill a big one!

 

[ColoradoBowhunter]

Well, didn't expect to but my 14 yo son drew NM 17 for the late Nov youth tag. I'd looked at the unit a fair bit as we have friends who recently moved to ABQ but realize that is a decent drive. I hunted NV 103 with him last September on the muzzleloader tag and we got into deer and had an opportunity at a good buck (150-160" 4x4) but with the equipment needed just another half second to get the shot off. This looks like big country similar to the Ruby's but what I would like to get a sense of is what to expect for deer movement out of the higher elevations during the hunt dates (11/18-26). I suspect quite a bit of snow up high, but if anyone has experience in the unit as far as snow that time of year and how the roads are. Certainly pm if preferred.

Given the distance from home in N ID I would also be open to an outfitter even though I've never gone that route before. I only have him at home for 4 more fall hunting seasons. Last year in NV was a great time even though the tag came home intact. If anyone knows of any outfitters for fully guided, or drop camp (if that is a thing that late in 17) feel free to pm.

I just spent 2 weeks in 17 on an elk hunt. I saw some good bucks including a group of 4 that had 2 ~160 bucks and 2 that would go 180+ all day. PM me if you want some info. I came here last year asking for help in 17 and was "that new guy" so I'm happy to help any way that I can now that I have some first hand info. I won't be able to speak to their migration in Sept but can fill you in on what I was seeing.

 

[505Wapiti]

Hunted it twice with my son. Send PM and we can chat.

 

[johnsd16]

Thanks fellas, PMs sent