What week in Sept in NM should I hunt ?

[matt1glenn]

If it was you , what week (7-10 days) would you hunt in sept for elk ?
I was thinking the 3rd week would be the peak but most of my hunting will be over water source , would it be better then to go pre rut ?

Thanks guys

 

[westrnwild]

Depends on the unit. The northern units have alot of water. so i wouldnt recommend you sit on water.

Also, depends on your hunting style, do you want spot and stalk or to want them bugling? Both are great.. In the early season, you can spot bulls and pattern them.. in week 3 they will usually start bugling hard, but can be cowed up by then.. all choices are good, just have to realize what there are doing and hunt accordingly.

 

[wapitibob]

I would hunt the whole season, getting there two days early. 2nd season 1st choice, 1st season 2nd choice.
Hunted water twice in 5 years of hunting there, not something I personally would plan on doing every day.

 

[matt1glenn]

I can either pick 1-14 or 15-27 on a landowner tag can't hunt the whole month

 

[westrnwild]

Based on the moon phase and my experience hunting NM...15-27 looks better

 

[JPD350]

I would take the late hunt in a heartbeat, I've hunted early and late and like either hunt but the action of a late hunt is pretty freaking awesome!

 

[Whisky]

I'm done playing the "what week for rut games'.....In my experience, limited elk experience, it's either been the week before or week after I hunted. And we're talking 1.5-2 week hunts. So this year I'm going to head out early and stay until I fill my tag or run out of vacation. If you have my luck, whatever you choose will be wrong. You're not alone

 

[matt1glenn]

I will be in unit 12 on private land. The guy I bought the tag from and knows the landowner says the best is pre rut ,and hunt water am and PM . He states that once rut is full go it is hard to get a bull away from its cows. His advice was like the 4th - 13 th . what do you guys think. I would love to go during the rut but he says the opposite ( and I have 1st choice ) I should mention that my exp with calling is none ! I plan on picking up some calls and how to dads like elk nut .

Thanks

 

[trophyhill]

I would take the late hunt in a heartbeat, I've hunted early and late and like either hunt but the action of a late hunt is pretty freaking awesome!

I agree JP! However the 8th of September is a great day to be in the woods. This is when it all starts to get good.

 

[JPD350]

The recent change to a two hunt season changes it up a bit, the first hunt is much longer at 14 days and the second hunt is 9 days, which means the first hunt can be an awesome hunt if you have the time to hunt for the full 2 weeks.

Just hoping I get one of the hunts!

 

[trophyhill]

The recent change to a two hunt season changes it up a bit, the first hunt is much longer at 14 days and the second hunt is 9 days, which means the first hunt can be an awesome hunt if you have the time to hunt for the full 2 weeks.

Just hoping I get one of the hunts!

you and me both JP. I'd hate to "horn in" on your area

 

[JPD350]

Here's a fair deal for you Trophy, I"ll take the wilderness and you can have the other unit, or you can have the first wilderness hunt and I'll take the second hunt!!!

 

[trophyhill]

Here's a fair deal for you Trophy, I"ll take the wilderness and you can have the other unit, or you can have the first wilderness hunt and I'll take the second hunt!!!

lmao......the challenge is going to be keeping your partner from "horning in" on either of our spots