NM elk unit

[killz]

im hoping to draw unit 15 or 17 this year for elk in new mexico. does anyone have an opinion on which one would be better for bigger bulls? maybe someone could fill me in on a good place to start in either unit?

 

[trophyhill]

both units have "big" bull potential. i have friends that hunt both units and both have big bulls on their walls.

 

[killz]

how big is big? like 360 plus? would you hold out for that in the last archery season?

 

[trophyhill]

340's, 350's. would i hold out for that or a 360 or bigger? i keep telling myself i'm holding out for a "herd" type bull but..... this early in my archery career its about putting critters on the ground. the way i see it is as long as i keep putting myself into situations where it can go either way, sooner or later i'll be carrying a nice rack out of the elkwoods. so far its went the other way but fortunate enough to have some cow elk steaks in my freezer 2 years runnin.

 

[killz]

which unit do you know better? 15 or 17 which would you prefer to hunt?

 

[trophyhill]

i've never hunted or scouted either one but based on what my friends have said, i would choose 15 over 17.

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

I hunted late season muzzleloader in unit 15 in November, there was 3 of us in camp and we all scored on 300+ bulls and saw a few in the 350+ , that's where I would go.
Good luck.

 

[killz]

if you wouldn't mind me asking which part of the unit you were in i would like to know. you can send me a private message sure appreciate it.

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

We camped just outside of the town Reserve and hunted those canyons around there.

 

[rezavoirdog]

Anywhere close to the Jicarilla Rez!

 

[trophyhill]

Anywhere close to the Jicarilla Rez!

i think you're a few hundred miles off in terms of units 15 and 17

 

[jay]

I've hunted 17 for deer and seen alot of elk. They say that the Magdalena Mountains have nice bulls. A friend of mine guided some hunters in 15 last year and he swears by it. Two plus's right off the bat is its the GILA, MONSTER BULLS, the other is it borders Arizona fairly close to the White Mountains, another big bull area. I've also heard that there are alot of Outfitters but that don't mean nothing, its big enough of a unit to be successful! Good Luck!

 

[headn4hills]

unit 15 is my choice my family has hunted it a number of times with great success. let me know if put in for 15.

 

[Mrelite]

I hunt 15, mostly because it is a great meat unit. It does have a good supply of 300 class bulls and of course there is always a chance for a big bull but that is true for any southern unit.

If I were going for a really big bull 350/400 I wouldn't be in 15 and I am sure that many folks feel the same way! units such as 17 as you mentioned and a few other units have been producing some monsters over the last few years.