Drew NM unit 36

[jgt24]

So excitement followed by a little nervousness...learned we drew New Mexico unit 36. I know it is rugged country and I'm in good physical shape, probably the best I've been in 10 years. We were hoping for unit 52 because we didn't really expect to draw one of our first two choices. But, like I told my hunting partner the other day, someone has to draw it right? Anyways, it leads me to my questions...Anyone out there willing to share some of their 36 knowledge with me? I've heard great things about the number and quality of bulls in that unit but don't know for sure where to start. Looking at parking and hiking to set up a spike camp somewhere (if we can find a flat spot to do it ) Looking for any suggestions or secret intelligence anyone is willing to share. We do have some good elk hunting experience and are physically up for the challenge. Thanks in advance.

Josh

 

[Alabama]

It has a great reputation, but I've never been there myself. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Adrianpops]

You hunting archery, muzz or rifle? My brother hunted there 3 years ago with rifle.

 

[Always Ruttin]

Pm inbound. I also drew, 1st rifle. I've talked to a couple guys but still waiting for someone to chime in with some boots on the ground info. Congrats

 

[jgt24]

You hunting archery, muzz or rifle? My brother hunted there 3 years ago with rifle.

Archery, Sept 1 thru 14.

 

[Adrianpops]

Not sure what the hunting is like during that time of year. My brother went hunting there 2 years ago during the second rifle hunt. It was the first time we had been hunting there. I like the area. Has a good trail system. It's wilderness so limited to just horseback and foot traffic so that's good. Going to need to get further back to get away from day hikers. Ran into them. Canyons are big. Looked like most of the running water streams were more toward the central to southern part of the unit that fed bonito lake like spring point and white horse him. We took Pennsylvania canyon to the top of the ridge and saw elk right away on the other side of the canyon after glassing. Three bulls but too late in the day to sneak up on them. Went to another spot the morning where we seen other elk but should stuck with Pennsylvania canyon. Went back there in the afternoon only to find some hunters on horseback packing out a nice 6 x 7 out of the same spot we left the three bulls. That trail head went way back and I'm sure you could out a good spike camp there. Wouldn't rule out the trail leading toward nogal peak. You can take it all the way around that back country to end up on the southern end of the unit if you're up for it. Lots of good places for a spike camp. There was a big fire burn about 4 years ago in the central to southern part of the unit. We saw lots of elk each place we would go just had to get back far enough to get away from the crowds. Great looking country.

 

[Adrianpops]

Wilderness map and a view from near nogal peak of Argentine peak.

 

[Always Ruttin]

Thanks for the info adrianpops. Short sweet and right to the point. Much appreciated. Was your bro able to connect? Beautiful picture.

 

[Adrianpops]

Unfortunately he wasn't able to. Never could get close enough for a good shot. Saw good numbers of elk but he was only there 3 days. Probably could have done better with more time.

 

[jgt24]

Not sure what the hunting is like during that time of year. My brother went hunting there 2 years ago during the second rifle hunt. It was the first time we had been hunting there. I like the area. Has a good trail system. It's wilderness so limited to just horseback and foot traffic so that's good. Going to need to get further back to get away from day hikers. Ran into them. Canyons are big. Looked like most of the running water streams were more toward the central to southern part of the unit that fed bonito lake like spring point and white horse him. We took Pennsylvania canyon to the top of the ridge and saw elk right away on the other side of the canyon after glassing. Three bulls but too late in the day to sneak up on them. Went to another spot the morning where we seen other elk but should stuck with Pennsylvania canyon. Went back there in the afternoon only to find some hunters on horseback packing out a nice 6 x 7 out of the same spot we left the three bulls. That trail head went way back and I'm sure you could out a good spike camp there. Wouldn't rule out the trail leading toward nogal peak. You can take it all the way around that back country to end up on the southern end of the unit if you're up for it. Lots of good places for a spike camp. There was a big fire burn about 4 years ago in the central to southern part of the unit. We saw lots of elk each place we would go just had to get back far enough to get away from the crowds. Great looking country.

Great info. Thank you!

 

[jgt24]

Thanks. Can't believe I didn't know about this forum before.

 

[Loon505]

I also pulled an Elk tag for 36, mine is muzzleloader Oct 7-11. Also looking for any helpful info as this will be my first Elk hunt, especially looking for info on hiring horses for the pack out.

 

[N8tve_Hunter]

So excitement followed by a little nervousness...learned we drew New Mexico unit 36. I know it is rugged country and I'm in good physical shape, probably the best I've been in 10 years. We were hoping for unit 52 because we didn't really expect to draw one of our first two choices. But, like I told my hunting partner the other day, someone has to draw it right? Anyways, it leads me to my questions...Anyone out there willing to share some of their 36 knowledge with me? I've heard great things about the number and quality of bulls in that unit but don't know for sure where to start. Looking at parking and hiking to set up a spike camp somewhere (if we can find a flat spot to do it ) Looking for any suggestions or secret intelligence anyone is willing to share. We do have some good elk hunting experience and are physically up for the challenge. Thanks in advance.

Josh

My son drew a tag in Unit 52 in November for an antler-less hunt.. Looking forward to him shooting his first elk. My friend and I applied for deer tags in Unit 36, when I did research on this area I know it's pretty checkerboard-ed. Lots of roads for access, in to the USFS lands. I have a colleague who shot an 8x9 (Totally not telling tales out of school) on his reservation (Mescalero Apache Reservation) around the northern portion of the Reservation boundary to that border USFS lands of Unit 36. Sierra Blanca area, I have some great pictures and videos of some terrain and elk in this area; unfortunately, it's on the Reservation side. In the distance of he first picture, that was taken from a lookout tower just southwest of Sierra Blanca Peak, the other photo was taken at the base of the mountain.. Second week of Oct. 2016.. The wilderness areas on the USFS side I would assume makes for some great bull sanctuary!

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[Doe Nob]

I have hunted it for deer and turkey, so I have only been in there in the winter/spring.

Don't overlook areas outside the wilderness. There are absolutely elk in the wilderness, but there's other places to check out also. There's roadless area above the race track that can hold elk, but access is tricky. Cattle and drinkers along 443, can be elk all through that country. Found some heads w/ antlers cut off in the Hubbard canyon area. People may laugh at me for this, but I saw a ton of sign in the western part of Fort Stanton - more rubs than anywhere. I saw some big bulls on the backside of the rez in the three rivers area also. That may matter as to when they are doing hunts on the Rez - pressure there may push a few bulls off the edges - would be worth researching.

Once again all that information is valid in January and April, I have no idea if the elk are in there in Sep/Oct - but things to think about.

 

[jvonbank]

Congrats on the tag - it was a good area when I hunted muzzle season back in 2003 or so. We hunted with Elite Outfitters and they ran a great operation. I think they might have changed owners since then, but I would've highly recommend them. They packed us into a camp on mules to the area around the head of Big and Little Bear Canyon from what I remember. It was crazy steep country that had a lot of elk in it. Certainly one of the better hunts I've been on, we just haven't had luck in the draws since to go back. Good luck!

Jared

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[RedRaider13]

Jgt24, I drew the same Sept 1 thru 14 archery tag as you. This will be my second elk hunt, first bull hunt and i'm stoked. I was up there in December 2 years ago and saw dozens of bulls, but I've never been in the wilderness in September.

 

[WapitiBob]

Maybe someone could post up a map with circles on it.

 

[Always Ruttin]

I won't post the picture WapitiBob but I circled the whole Lincoln national Forest for you.

 

[WapitiBob]

Thanks but I've hunted the crap out of the Lincoln.

 

[Always Ruttin]

Well do you care to share a story of a hunt or two. You must be talking turkeys... Did you ever hunt anywhere on the west side. What's your opinion on elk there.