Elk in the pecos wilderness

jay

Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
462
0
TriCountyNM
Zim, i was reading this thread from the beginning and you drew for archery right? Well don't worry, the bulls aren't too active yet, a few calls here and there but nothing too hot yet. A friend of mine has been chasing em' in the Los Alamitos area since opening day and he said its been pretty quite, he did pull out a muley on the second day though. It sounds like your somewhat familiar with the area, last time you hiked in did you drive all the way to the end of the Walker Flats road and go up from there(about 2.5 miles from the big opening) or did you get the trailhead almost directly after the meadow? Just curious because the trailhead that starts at the lower osha canyon is maybe 1/2 to 3/4 mile from Walker Flats, therefore not needing to go too far on the road your worried about. But if you go all the way to the end about 2.5 miles past this trailhead it looks like you could catch the same trail just further up, from reading your posts, it kinda sounds like thats what you did the last time. I've never been that way, i always go from the bottom but i go on horseback. I will try and attach some GIS maps explaining what i'm talking about. Also let me clarify the Los Alamitos trailhead a little further, that one will put you around the Serpeant Lake area further north of north fork. This trail being closer to above timberline if thats what you want to hunt, but if you like the middle fork, rincon bonito areas then you will want to use the Walker Flats trailhead especially if your hiking. Let me know if this makes any sense or if i confused you.
 

Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
jay,

I follow everything you mention.

Do you know if all the trails up there are marked? Someone mentioned the forest service was in the process of changing the trail numbering system on all of them. I remember there were many unmarked trails.
 
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jay

Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
462
0
TriCountyNM
I'm not sure about the trails being marked, i don't think they've changed the trail numbering system with all the cuts in budget that the forest service are under. I have a friend that runs the recreation section, i'll ask him but i highly doubt it.
 
The wife and I are on a scouting trip for a place to move to in New Mexico, we have been here for 10 days and plan on staying for another 10 days or so. I did manage to get to the Pecos for three days of scouting for my October 22nd elk hunt. Spent the last day up high with my dog and a cup of coffee watching 40 elk, which included 5 bulls, three of which were shooters. I glassed them for an hour along with the 20 turkeys that were running with them. There was also a small bull screaming at me from down the canyon behind me as well. What a great way to spend a morning, enjoying the company of my dog and a cup of coffee. It was a great trip and found a couple places to hunt along with queching a couple bad rumors (at least I think so). I would love to hear if anyone has any input in regards to hunting the unit from the east or north out of Mora via PM. I heard rumors regarding the locals, but they didn't materialize when I visited the area. I only found friendly people up there.

If someone has that contact info for someone to packout an elk I would appreciate it if you would pass it along my way. My hunting partner and I have packed out probably a dozen elk in the past, but its always good to have options. Besides this is a big test of a trip, physically the cancer I fought in 2010 really took its toll, but if determination has anything to do with it I won't have any issues.

This should be a great hunt, I am really looking forward to getting back out in the woods.
 

Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
Hi guys, I was up there hunting the last 3 days, but had to come down to Santa Fe to get a Spot Messenger. Will cost me 2 days hunting.

The bulls were darn near completely silent. Very surprising. There was a lot of snow up there where my camp is at 12,800'. I got within 100 yards of the biggest bull I saw, but got busted by one of his 12 cows. Saw 3 others, 2 raghorns and a spike.

I'm returning tomorrow until season ends 9/22. This time I'm going in from the Iron Gate Trailhead. It was too crowded on the north and east sides.

No. 7 which trailhead are you hunting from? There are lots of packers up there. I'll scroung up my notes and give you suggestions after my hunt, but someone else will probably by then.
 
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MountainManRick

New Member
Jun 12, 2011
3
0
Zim what area of the pecos are you hunting. I'm going to be out there for the muzzleloader hunt and could use a little help finding a location where there are elk.thanks and good luck Rick
 

Taz

New Member
Sep 2, 2011
15
0
lombard, Il
No 7,

I can't help you with the area, but the out-fitter taking us in is Cirle S stables I don't have their # handy but they are easy to find online. Talk to Lou she should help you. Good luck!
 

Taz

New Member
Sep 2, 2011
15
0
lombard, Il
Zim, sounds like you into some good bulls! hopfully they turn on for you. Can't wait to hear how the rest of the hunt goes....
 

Don K

Very Active Member
Sep 10, 2011
664
22
Northern Illinois
Zim busted his tail and scored on a nice Bull. Talked to him today Im sure you will see pictures as soon as he gets into "internet" service.......
 

Don K

Very Active Member
Sep 10, 2011
664
22
Northern Illinois
zia,

Covering alot of ground from the Gila to the Pecos?

I will be headed to 13 in a week to scout for my sons youth hunt........

Cant wait to get out there!!!
 

zia

Member
Feb 23, 2011
63
3
No kidding! Serious miles on the old Ford. Congratulations to ZiM! Looking forward to the story.
 

Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
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Done with hunt. Reporting from Denver. Weather sucked, rainy and windy until Sunday morning. Unzipped bivy tent at 4:30 AM to finally see stars! Hiked back in from the Iron Gate Trailhead into a new basin and heard bugling finally! I counted 6 bugling. Climbed up on a high spot to identify location of each. The most vocal one was a tiny 4x4 who had ~20 cows out in the center of the basin. The other 5 all sounded bigger. Wind was perfect so I slowly worked my way close as shooting light approached. The terrain they were in was perfect. Little meadows mixed with small groves of pines right at timberlne. I skirted a meadow close to the best sounding bugles and tucked myself behind a dead 4' shrub. The two bulls appeared in the pines 50 yards in front of me and moved broadside into the open meadow 40 yards away. I was so beaten up from the first week my intent was to shoot the first bull I got in range, so I didn't focus on the points at all. I could see the first one out was a shooter so I focused on his vitals, drew my bow, and let loose an Illinois buck grunt to which he stopped and looked. 40 yard shot impacted center cut and I could see blood spurt. He hustled off and I noted his route. His buddy followed. He turned out to be the smaller one so I made right decision. I waited an hour and picked up the trail. Saw his sweet rack sticking up from the scrub pines just 110 yards from impact. Very pleased with size, I estimate 330" gross. All other bulls seen on this hunt were raghorns. Really got stupid lucky.

Hiked down to locate a packer who brought a horse Monday to pack out my bull. I hung around town a few days flyfishing while waiting for processing. Caught lots of trout.

This was a rough backpack trip. I ended up going up and down 4 round trips. However, ended up with a very nice bull above my expectations.

Thanks zia & jay for your updates and tips. Fun trip in the end. Will be in Denver a week then head up to Wyoming for moose hunt.
 
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Taz

New Member
Sep 2, 2011
15
0
lombard, Il
Yes! Great story Zim way to make it happen, what a beautiful bull. I am so fired up right now, I just went through all my gear and did a test run on my pack. Oct. 13 can't come fast enough!

I'm looking forward to the pictures of your Moose!!
 

Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
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My camp just below timberline.

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Elk feeding in basin AM.

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More.

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Pissed off 5x6 cut off from herd due to rimrock.

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He has very good mass. His left backs are stronger than the photos show. I am eager to tape him. Might be 330".