Has anybody had success in 16D?I've hunted other parts of the Gila but not 16D. I'm thinking about trying to draw a tag down there for rifle and I was wondering if anybody had any reccomedations on where to go scouting in this unit. Thanks!!!
NM 16D Bull elk
- Thread starter dhershberger
- Start date
Doe Nob
Very Active Member
We drew and went last year. Try for the first hunt, the temps kicked up and they weren't talking at all for the 2nd hunt. You need to do your map work, find water that's getting hammered and stay on it if the temps are hot. I killed my bull 11 miles from the road, fortunately we were able to get an ATV back to it. 3 bulls killed in Camp, I passed on a 290 class 6x6 first morning, we chased a 360-370 class bull the next 3 days, never could get inside 1200 yards, then killed a 5x5 in the evening on day 4. My father killed a 5x5 at dark, both killed near water. Only other bull killed in camp was killed on top of a mountain in a rockslide, 6x6 310ish with a nice devil point.
Wow, I like the sound of 360-370 bulls!!!! What side of the unit did u hunt? You can pm me if the information is too secret!
We just got back from a deer hunt in 16d. We camped just outside reserve and hunted to the east. Driving the hard roads in the dark was scary because of all the elk on the road. I don't know if the elk are there all year or just winter there, but they were literally everywhere.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
One of the best units in New Mexico, but even as a resident it is only a 2.9% chance to draw the first rifle season.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
rifle in 16d? while you're at it just win the lotto and buy a ranch...
consider bow etc... or outfitter.
great unit, good luck, in fact the best some years I believe it has been rated, so odds are near the bottom.
consider bow etc... or outfitter.
great unit, good luck, in fact the best some years I believe it has been rated, so odds are near the bottom.
bern0134
Member
My dad had a tag for bow down there last year. We spent the first few days looking for a big bull. The only big bull we saw was a 6x6 that was probably in the upper 290s. My dad ended up sticking a meat bull on the 2nd to last day. It was an awesome trip because it was my dad's first bull w/ a bow.