Gila Forest Archery Elk Hunt Drop Camp Wanted...

Thomas11

Member
Apr 22, 2013
92
2
South alabama
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.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
If your talking about 16B, I don't think there are any landowner tags for that unit due to it being all wilderness
 

Jdavis9753

New Member
Feb 13, 2016
43
0
North Texas
I faced this battle and gave up years ago.
Example: Any specific Gila unit in NM (there are 4+) has At the most 125 elk tags available for example (50 for 16B any weapon last time I looked).
10% go to Non Resident with an outfitter (so add $3000+ to your 'DIY' hunt) and ONLY 6% go to a NR without an outfitter.

Therefore 125 tags x 6% = 7.5 tags you have a chance at drawing along with the other 5000 applicants.
Tough odds to justify even trying. I finally quit applying for it. Someone correct me if my math is wrong or
My pessimism is unfair. It looks like to me that if you want to hunt the Gila you better live in NM or pay for a
Landowner voucher $$$$.

I have successfully drawn for mule deer in unit 34 without outfitter and that is a great hunting area.
 

grant_stricklin

Active Member
Sep 11, 2015
167
0
I faced this battle and gave up years ago.
Example: Any specific Gila unit in NM (there are 4+) has At the most 125 elk tags available for example (50 for 16B any weapon last time I looked).
10% go to Non Resident with an outfitter (so add $3000+ to your 'DIY' hunt) and ONLY 6% go to a NR without an outfitter.

Therefore 125 tags x 6% = 7.5 tags you have a chance at drawing along with the other 5000 applicants.
Tough odds to justify even trying. I finally quit applying for it. Someone correct me if my math is wrong or
My pessimism is unfair. It looks like to me that if you want to hunt the Gila you better live in NM or pay for a
Landowner voucher $$$$.

I have successfully drawn for mule deer in unit 34 without outfitter and that is a great hunting area.
Landowner tag seems like the way to me also. Especially when you have to plan or know before applying.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 

Dan4Elk2

New Member
Feb 26, 2014
26
0
i just put in for New Mexico Archery Elk hunt. I am tired of waiting to draw my Wyoming elk tag..8 points now. I have done research for NM and have found a consultant who will do all my leg work for the area I am wanting to draw. I just searched online. If I draw he will charge me a small fee to do what he does. I think this is a great way to do a hunt when your wanting to do it yourself hunt.
 

bowrunner

Active Member
Oct 13, 2015
299
9
Illinois
Dan4Elk2, what did you do to find this consultant? And roughly how much is this service? I am just curious. If you do not wish to share I understand.
 
i just put in for New Mexico Archery Elk hunt. I am tired of waiting to draw my Wyoming elk tag..8 points now. I have done research for NM and have found a consultant who will do all my leg work for the area I am wanting to draw. I just searched online. If I draw he will charge me a small fee to do what he does. I think this is a great way to do a hunt when your wanting to do it yourself hunt.
NM is a tough draw... you're likely waiting a long time to hunt here too, especially if you're looking in the 16's
 

Jdavis9753

New Member
Feb 13, 2016
43
0
North Texas
86% of the 120 tags in that unit go to residents, 10% to non-residents contracted with an outfitter, and 6% non-res diy. So if you draw one of the 12 tags available for elk you need to spend $3k+ with an outfitter...they will talk you out of it if you are truly trying to get drawn. The best odds are the landowner tags for $big$ ....it's unfortunate in my opinion unless you own land there.
 

Ebelljr

New Member
May 5, 2016
8
0
Ridgecrest ca,
Elk Archery 16D

Hello Guys, I just found out that I was lucky enough to draw a 16D Sept 15-24 archery tag for New Mexico. I understand this is a great unit with a number of roads and access. I am also willing to pack in and I don't need a guide, although I would be willing to pay for one just for daily services. There are lots of different maps out there including google earth. If you have any map preferences to suggest I would appreciate it. Any thoughts on areas to start scouting or contact names would also be greatly appreciated. Willing to do some horse trading for good information. If you know of someone I could speak to let me know. Thank you.
 

Horniac

Member
Jul 14, 2011
148
12
NorCal
Hello Guys, I just found out that I was lucky enough to draw a 16D Sept 15-24 archery tag for New Mexico. I understand this is a great unit with a number of roads and access. I am also willing to pack in and I don't need a guide, although I would be willing to pay for one just for daily services. There are lots of different maps out there including google earth. If you have any map preferences to suggest I would appreciate it. Any thoughts on areas to start scouting or contact names would also be greatly appreciated. Willing to do some horse trading for good information. If you know of someone I could speak to let me know. Thank you.
Congrats on a great tag! I haven't hunted 16D but have bowhunted 16A a few times. If you have hunted elk before and don't want to hire a guide one possibilty would be to talk to Tommy Maldanado. His website is; http://gilawildernesshunting.com/Home_Page.php. I bought one of his map/scouting packages the first time I hunted 16A and his info was spot on. It is well worth the cost IMO if you don't live close enough to the unit to scout it for yourself...

Good luck on your hunt!

Horniac
 

Ebelljr

New Member
May 5, 2016
8
0
Ridgecrest ca,
Hello Horniac,

I want to thank you for the information. I sure appreciate the contact and I will give him a call. There are a bunch of maps out there and now with google earth capabilities you can get some really good information if you have the right contact. Thanks again and let me know if you ever get drawn for anything in CA. I live on the eastern side of the Sierras (Owens Valley) and know the area well.