Gila Forest Archery Elk Hunt Drop Camp Wanted...

[WapitiBob]

In my earlier post I should not have stated "... a guide over two days" as it implies the guide must be with you for two full days. I was fortunate to be asked for input on the guide rule prior to it's being penned and implemented. In that discussion I brought up multiple scenarios that an outfitter could see over multiple seasons. A specific period of time was purposely left out of the rule, but there must time spent with the client on two separate days. That gives the guide/outfitter leeway in addressing multiple clients, in multiple areas, and having different needs; meet at the area for pre hunt/post hunt briefing, pack in/pack out drop camp scenario, pack in/guide for a day, etc, etc. So technically, you do not need to be accompanied on a hunt for two days. That said, guides/outfitters have been taking heat from within to curb the minimal services packages and more of them are requiring a client to pay for two full days of guiding.

 

[Fink]

Why would he try and talk me out of the Gila?

He'll push you towards applying in 34/36. Since those are his home units.

 

[FitToHunt]

16E would be the other unit you could pack in some in the Gila.

Unit 45 in the Pecos is one you could do thats easier to draw.... could always do that as a 3rd choice.

So 16E and 45 have areas that are closed to motorized vehicles? That's really my main concern. I'm just not willing to compete with guys driving around on their quads. Id rather Hunt an area with a few less animals if I had to.

 

[FitToHunt]

I've found several Outfitters willing to do the pack in/out option which WILL meet the minimum guide requirements. Now it's just a matter of figuring out exactly which units I want to apply for, and comparison shopping. So, I'm still looking for more suggestions.... Thank you brothers for the ones you've given so far. Its been helpful.

 

[cmbbulldog]

So 16E and 45 have areas that are closed to motorized vehicles? That's really my main concern. I'm just not willing to compete with guys driving around on their quads. Id rather Hunt an area with a few less animals if I had to.

Yes. I have been in 45, so I know from first hand experience you can get away from everyone. I havent been in 16E, but have been told that from reliable sources. From what I understand, access in 16E is tough, so you can get in to some good areas. Tougher to draw than 45 though.

 

[joens]

I used to live in Silver City NM . 16 E does have motorized restricted areas everyone I hung out with always put in for 16E because the difficult access made the draw odds in your favor, compared to the other 16's. I need to dig out my maps but I can give you some locations should you need them . difficult access means you may have to hike in and pack out if you have no access to horses. and roads are minimal in some areas leaving large areas without road access.

 

[FitToHunt]

OK, I'll look into 16E. I plan on a pack in with horses Hunt anyways.

 

[Alabama]

"To apply for the 10% applicant pool, all applicants must have a contract with a New Mexico Outfitter prior to applying for the hunt. The contract must be signed and dated by all parties and designate the terms, compensation and services to be provided by the outfitter.

It is unlawful to use a New Mexico outfitter number to apply in the special drawing pool, if a valid contract with that New Mexico outfitter has not been signed. It also is unlawful to hunt with a license obtained by applying for the special drawing pool designated for New Mexico outfitters, without having already signed a valid contract with that New Mexico outfitter.

Any applicant who receives a valid license by applying with a New Mexico Outfitter’s number, must be accompanied in the field by that outfitter or their registered guide for at least two days. Those who apply using an outfitter’s number and choose to hunt on their own may be prosecuted for hunting without a valid license".

That is the rule straight from NM's website. So on a rifle hunt that is only 5 days long, I could get an outfitter to pack me in the day before the season started and a day after the season closed and still be legal? If so I'll be hunting NM more often!

 

[WapitiBob]

Short answer, yes.

 

[joens]

I just don't like that New Mexico makes you pay up front the entire cost of the license and permit when you apply for the draw . then refunds it later if you are not drawn. But then I moved from New Mexico to Montana . There is some good hunting in NM including some real high quality hunts.

 

[FitToHunt]

So, I just applied for 16D late, 16B late, 16B early. I called, researched, and talked with about every guide in the area. And, I really don't believe applying with an outfitter tag will give you a statistical advantage. Sure, the numbers say they get 10% instead of 6%. But, many more NR apply for NM with outfitters. Either way, my group is going un-guided and we'll just hire a drop camp for which ever unit, if we're luck enough to draw. Fingers crossed.

 

[WapitiBob]

..
But, many more NR apply for NM with outfitters.

Did you look at the numbers?

 

[FitToHunt]

More people applied in the Outfitter pool, than in the NR resident pool. However, the outfitter pool includes both res and non-res. I've never seen a breakdown of % or NR in the outfitter pool vs res, just the total number.

I've had more than one guide tell me they always have better luck with clients that apply for NON-guided tags.

Either way, it appears the advantage for the outfitter tag isn't much, if at all. But then again, I'm only looking at the numbers for archery tags. Rifle may be a different story.

 

[WapitiBob]

here they are

 

[Thomas11]

Looks to me there's less PPl applying in outfitter poOl than NR pool and more tags? I've looked at this before and I think it basically doubles your chances of drawing from my figuring on odds. Just curious what are outfitters charging for this type of minimum 2 day service on average?

 

[FitToHunt]

Looks like your odds may be a little better in the outfitters pool overall, and some areas will have a much bigger advantage than others. I've found it is possible to find an outfitter to do the minimum to 2 day hunt, but they are pretty reluctant to give you their # to apply since they only have a fixed amount and they want to save those for the fully guided guys... I did find a couple that still would do that, but those ones didn't seem to get you too far off the main roads.

Either way, there are a ton of guides that will offer drop camp services to you once you've drawn.

 

[Thomas11]

To be honest, I don't think I would need them to do much. Whatever the minimal is. I've hunted in b and c. And I feel you can get into where u need w/o packing in 10 miles. I would have no problem just paying them a nominal fee and if they needed to hang around for a day or two that would b ok to better the draw odds

 

[Thomas11]

I'll probably just apply in the NR pool and hope for the best!

 

[elk_n_esox]

that's a great tag... I'm 0 for my last 5 or 6 years on that draw. Last time out there just fooling around in the middle of the day I called a GIANT that walked right into camp... unfortunately I already had already shot one that morning, and was giving him some time after he had laid down. the 16's in NM are a lot of fun!

 

[grant_stricklin]

Looks like your odds may be a little better in the outfitters pool overall, and some areas will have a much bigger advantage than others. I've found it is possible to find an outfitter to do the minimum to 2 day hunt, but they are pretty reluctant to give you their # to apply since they only have a fixed amount and they want to save those for the fully guided guys... I did find a couple that still would do that, but those ones didn't seem to get you too far off the main roads.

Either way, there are a ton of guides that will offer drop camp services to you once you've drawn.

Have you checked price on LOT or know anywhere you can buy them? I'm looking at doing same hunt next year. Me and buddy are wanting to go out sept 1 stay the whole month. Get a tag for each hunt make a big trip out of it. Take horses everything. Like to have an outfitter or someone to put us up a camp way back 6+ miles where we can pack in to it knowing its a good area.

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