What do you think of my hunt selections.

1

1seth

New Member
Jan 15, 2013
19
0
Hattiesburg, MS
This is my first time applying in new mexico and would appreciate any opinions of my hunt selections. I only have 10 days this year to hunt out west and trying to have as many tags in my pocket as possible. Putting in the same units because dont want the possbility of drawing a muledeer tag and an elk tag hundreds of miles apart. Just wanted to know if you guys think i should concentrate on one species or is this a good plan. My ultimate goal is to hunt I am not a Trophy Hunter. I guess what I am worried about is only having one choice for mule deer, I know the odds for elk in the gila are tough I have read the NM Divisions Draw Reports.

Mule Deer: 1st choice/ is going to be unit 16 Archery only
No second or third choice.

Elk: 1st choice/ 3rd archery season Unit 16b
2nd choice/2nd archery season unit 16b
3rd choice/ 1st archery season unit 16b
 
Fink

Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
204
West Side, MoMo
If your ultimate goal is just to hunt, why did you select a difficult to draw unit, that is more known for trophy potential? There are quite a few units out there with much better odds than anything in the Gila.
 
1

1seth

New Member
Jan 15, 2013
19
0
Hattiesburg, MS
My reasoning was that the mule deer draw odds are not that bad. If I can draw an elk tag within the same season that would be icing on the cake. And the possibility of picking up a bear tag with reasonable oppurtunity to take one. Like I said I know the odds I have read the draw reports front to back. Just wanted opinions if I should just focus on MD Tag or Elk Tag. I know the answer but I wanted to hear some other opinions.
 
W

WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,385
58
Bend, Orygun
focus on the Deer tag cause unless you apply for Elk with an Outfitter and do a modified drop camp your odds suck. The Elk will be a hail mary shot otherwise.
If you've gone over the reports you know what Elk units you can draw.
 
N

nwwa huner

Member
Jun 29, 2011
79
0
I think 45, 55? Have decent deer and elk odds and quite a few animals. Not 100% but that's my previous research
 
Eberle

Eberle

Veteran member
Oct 2, 2012
1,009
13
50
Sasakwa, Oklahoma
I agree with 45, not familiar with 55, 52 is another good one. As far as mule deer go, I'd put in for 2A, 2B & 2C archery, the migration hunt for January 2014 as 2nd & 3rd choices. If you are going to put the money up, I'd have a 2nd & 3rd choice. If your not a trophy hunter & interested in a combo mule deer/elk archery, whats wrong with Colorado? You can draw an archery mule deer tag & buy an otc elk archery tag. Just another option.
 
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X

xtreme

Very Active Member
Feb 25, 2011
859
4
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
I think I am going to put in for 58 mule deer. Colo unit 81 for muzzle elk, still looking at both, trying to do this on my own. If that fails I will ask for help. I don't have any deer PP and 4 Co elk.
 
T

Trifecta Outdoors

New Member
Jan 16, 2013
8
0
Cebolla NM
As far as harvesting a deer go 45,51,53,and52 are all good. If you are looking for something over 150 the Jan archery hunt in unit 2. Most of these units I have hunted are very brushy and since there are practically no hunts during the rut a 200 inch mulie like everyone wants would be very unlikely. If I were you I would focus on elk or deer but not both.
 
Eberle

Eberle

Veteran member
Oct 2, 2012
1,009
13
50
Sasakwa, Oklahoma
xtreme said:
I think I am going to put in for 58 mule deer. Colo unit 81 for muzzle elk, still looking at both, trying to do this on my own. If that fails I will ask for help. I don't have any deer PP and 4 Co elk.
Click to expand...
Good choice, if I had 4 pp in CO thats where I'd apply. I'm going to roll the dice, see if I can draw a rifle elk tag on 2nd choice to build points. I just got one right now. If I don't draw I'll either otc archery or look at leftovers in Wyoming.
 
jay

jay

Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
462
0
TriCountyNM
1seth said:
This is my first time applying in new mexico and would appreciate any opinions of my hunt selections. I only have 10 days this year to hunt out west and trying to have as many tags in my pocket as possible. Putting in the same units because dont want the possbility of drawing a muledeer tag and an elk tag hundreds of miles apart. Just wanted to know if you guys think i should concentrate on one species or is this a good plan. My ultimate goal is to hunt I am not a Trophy Hunter. I guess what I am worried about is only having one choice for mule deer, I know the odds for elk in the gila are tough I have read the NM Divisions Draw Reports.
Mule Deer: 1st choice/ is going to be unit 16 Archery only
No second or third choice.

Elk: 1st choice/ 3rd archery season Unit 16b
2nd choice/2nd archery season unit 16b
3rd choice/ 1st archery season unit 16b
Click to expand...
I don't know if your aware of this but 16b is all wilderness...meaning you can only go in on foot or horseback. Great unit for Elk, seen some deer. If that's the kind of hunter you are then it will work. If not 16a & d are good also and more accessable.
 
1

1seth

New Member
Jan 15, 2013
19
0
Hattiesburg, MS
Yes, we will be backpacking in. Would have a packer lined up if we were fortunate enough to get a bull. Thanks for all your replies, We decided that we are just going to focus on a good elk unit 2nd 3rd week and if we get drawn great, if not well that sucks.
 
E

elk_n_esox

Banned
Mar 2, 2013
83
0
wherever I park the microbus
I've hunted 16b/22 , it's a several times. Most recently about 4 or 5 years ago. It's basically all wilderness with good elk numbers and some really big bulls. We always went in far far FAR to get away from anyone, and always found lots of fun active bugling bulls running around. They really respond well to bugles and I called in quite a few bulls, and a few nice ones. I think the fire will help the area now, as it was pretty thick where we always went, and maybe that'll thin it out and get some yummy grass for the elk. I also hunted 16A several times and it was SICK! Sometimes seeing hundreds of elk a day! 16A you can literally park your truck, camp and hunt. Pure luxury! 16B/22 is a lot of work. The odds are really crappy in all the good units now for unguided non-res. I always apply out there just in case. For some reason NM elk taste better too... no kidding!
 
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