Elk in the pecos wilderness

[jay]

Jake, sent you a pm.

 

[zia]

Back on the mountain yesterday checking stock, saw a few groups of cows (elk not hereford) maybe 18-20 total, three groups of smaller bulls about like you would expect for the area and drought and then one "pig", really nice bull, 5x5 already. He was as big of a bull as I have seen even in non-drought years in the pecos area. VERY cool to see, if the country doesnt burn up there looks to be good numbers and better antler growth than I expected

 

[zia]

nice rain today!! Saw the big bull again, really nice, still in velvet. Hopefully he stays put and safe until muzzleloader season!

 

[zia]

All the bulls I saw yesterday had velvet hanging from the antlers........almost time!

 

[Zim]

Has there been much rain lately? I've been checking the radar every few days and from that it seems there's been some but not much.

Based on current plant growth do you think the elk will be bunched up more than normal around water sources?

 

[jay]

for unit 45, i don't think so...mostly higher country close to watersheds. I'm sure there are some creeks that dried but theres alot of streams, rivers, lakes, in the area pretty plentiful to depend on the water. There is definitely not as much feed as a wet year but its coming late and the grass is starting to grow especially around these wetter areas. Big country, alot of area to feed in...

 

[zia]

Zim,

I think you are right about the bunched up part though, seems like I keep seeing herds upwards of 30 plus animals. We had a 3" rain the other day (in NM that means 3" between drops)

 

[zia]

Just got back from 3 days horseback scouting and getting SOAKED. On the positive side we conservatively saw 1000 elk in the 3 days, naturally mostly cows and small bulls but several bachleor herds that had some great bulls. Should be a super hunt this year! Hope
everybody has a safe productive hunt.

 

[Zim]

Well that sounds pretty encouraging. Bout got all my gear assembled. Bow shooting broadheads very well out to my 60 yard pin.

 

[cmbbulldog]

Just got back from 3 days horseback scouting and getting SOAKED. On the positive side we conservatively saw 1000 elk in the 3 days, naturally mostly cows and small bulls but several bachleor herds that had some great bulls. Should be a super hunt this year! Hope
everybody has a safe productive hunt.

What elevation were you seeing most of the elk at? Are they at and above treeline?

 

[Taz]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this, but have been following your threads since I found out I drew a first season MB rifle tag for the Pecos...can't wait! I have not been to the area before and don't know a whole lot about Elk hunting. We hired an outfitter to pack us in and out, but that's all the help we will have. Any other advice would be a huge help!

Zim, looks like we are neighbors, when do you leave for your hunt?

 

[Zim]

Lombard! Hell I work in Bloomingdale. I suppose we both use Joe Cochran for taxidermy too. I've been up in the Pecos on 3 trips previously, but not since 2001. What trailhead is your outfitter taking you in from? Are you just doing a drop camp? You know if the outfitter packs out meat for DIY hunters?

 

[zia]

let me know what part u are hunting and I will try to help.....going up Jacks Creek or Irongate etc.

 

[Zim]

zia,

There are two of us backpacking in. I was told the forest service stopped maintaining the roads so we'll drive in to see how far we can get first. If it's not far enough up, we may elect to go check out other TH's to the northwest of there. Between the two of us we can get a bull out of there, but will likely be in 5+ miles, so prefer to locate someone with horses. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[zia]

Sorry Zim, I havnt been that far north in years. I think the trailhead to the NW is called Alamitos but again not my usual stomping grounds.

 

[Taz]

Wow! small world Zim! I live less than 2 miles from Joe and know him well. We are going out of Iron Gate camp ground, not sure yet where we will go from there. We were thinking the north end of Hamilton Mesa or west of Beatys cabin. They will just be droping us and our gear off, if we tag one they will pack it out of our camp. From the several conversations I have had with them, sounds like they would rather pack hunters in and out than provide a guide service. If you need there info let me know.

Does anyone know those areas at all?

 

[zia]

Yes I do, are you going with Huey Ley, Bear Creek? I am guessing once you get there you will be on foot ? That might make it more challenging but I will try to help. Shoot me a PM when you can, I am heading to our Forest service lease today, should be back tomorrow I hope.

 

[Zim]

Taz,

Yes I've backpack camped at both Beaty's & Hamilton. My advice is have them take you up to as high an elevation as possible. We backpacked two of our trips out of Iron Gate.

Can you ask your guide if he'll pack out an elk for us? Or send me his contact info?

Hey where do you hunt in state? I bowhunt JTA & Midewin, JEPC. I am mentoring a couple youth this year. Will be trying a new property, Kishwaukee, with one of them.

Ken

 

[jay]

Zim, if your on a 4 wheel drive you can make it past walker flats closer to the trailhead. I don't remember that road beyond the main opening ever being maintained, but its not too bad in a 4 wheel drive. The trailhead to the west i'm assuming is the Los Alamitos that takes you to N. Fork. This road hasn't been paved, all they did was improve it at the dead end where the wilderness begins(trailhead), more parking etc. Your talking about hunting the mora side of the unit up into the wilderness. I know a guy that may be interested in packing out your meat. I don't have a phone number for him at the moment but i could get it if you'd like. He actually has his own access trail that goes almost directly to middle fork but is steep on foot, would probably recommend horses for that trail and the walker flats one. The Los Alamitos is probably the closest and the least steep of the 3 but is further west than the area your wanting to hit.

zia,

There are two of us backpacking in. Our first choice is parking past the Walker Flats Trailhead and camping at Middle Fork Lake to start. However I was told the forest service stopped maintaining the roads up beyond Walker so we'll drive in to see how far we can get first. If it's not far enough up, we may elect to go check out the TH to the northwest of there (Iforgot the name). However, I called and was told they paved it this summer so I expect more will be using that one. Between the two of us we can get a bull out of there, but will likely be in 5+ miles, so prefer to locate someone with horses. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[Zim]

Zim, if your on a 4 wheel drive you can make it past walker flats closer to the trailhead. I don't remember that road beyond the main opening ever being maintained, but its not too bad in a 4 wheel drive. The trailhead to the west i'm assuming is the Los Alamitos that takes you to N. Fork. This road hasn't been paved, all they did was improve it at the dead end where the wilderness begins(trailhead), more parking etc. Your talking about hunting the mora side of the unit up into the wilderness. I know a guy that may be interested in packing out your meat. I don't have a phone number for him at the moment but i could get it if you'd like. He actually has his own access trail that goes almost directly to middle fork but is steep on foot, would probably recommend horses for that trail and the walker flats one. The Los Alamitos is probably the closest and the least steep of the 3 but is further west than the area your wanting to hit.

Thanks Jay, Yes I'd definitely like if you could get the guy's number that may pack out a bull for us anywhere in that general vicinity. I knew that didn't sound right that they were paving Los Alamitos, but that is how the forest service described the project. They also said the main reason was to create a turnaround for horse trailers. I know they have not been maintaining those roads, just haven't been there in 10 years. Back then it was easy access to the top.