NM Elk which season?

[HuskyMusky]

Trying to figure out which season I want to put in for and hunt...

1, 2, or 3. Believe they are 10, 8, and 6 days respectively.

I'm actually leaning towards season 1 or 2 over 3, but am open to all ideas/suggestions.

 

[WapitiBob]

I'm considering a different unit because of the 6 day season.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Those real short seasons in NM suck and is another reason I won't apply there along with their 6% DIY cap.

 

[swampokie]

Are you hunting with bow or rifle? I thought all the seasons were 5 days with rifle.

 

[swampokie]

O I see the archery poll question now. I prefer the second season but good luck goin into the pool as a nr in nm. Especially if u want a unit that has an elk in it

 

[BigSurArcher]

I've hunted down there during the second season twice, and third season once. Seems like it just depends on the year and the weather. If the rut isn't going real hard during the second season, sitting on water can be deadly... if it's been dry. I found in the 3rd season big bulls were hard to pull away from the cows. My experience is a very small sample size though- I'm sure it's different all over the state.

 

[Don K]

Take a look at the success rates for the unit your putting in for. I was very surprised of the success rates of a very high quality unit during the 3rd season as the rut was supposed to be in full gear then. Every unit is different but to me it was a real eye opener seeing what seasons the most animals where being harvested in each unit. Just make sure tag numbers are the same for the seasons so you can get a good comparison.

 

[Zim]

6 Days is too short for an archery elk hunt anywhere.

 

[swampokie]

Except maybe the vallevidal unit

 

[Zim]

Well, if so I don't have to worry about it. I drew my OIL VV tag in 1996.

 

[WapitiBob]

Yea, I can't do a 6 day hunt 30 hours from home. I scratched it. Worrying about the 8 day alternative too. I could scout for a few days prior but it's mostly a spot/stalk unit.

 

[swampokie]

Look at you Zim! Wish I could get a shot at that tag. All I've been able to draw in the VV was turkey

 

[Zim]

Ya well that was a long time ago. No Internet apps. No HF or EJ. 22% NR quota. Odds were like 1 in 15 for archery.

That was actually my first western hunt of any kind.

 

[swampokie]

I really would love 2 draw vv. But now its 6% nr diy and it seems out of reach

 

[Zim]

No, I think it was 15% back then. Memory faded. It would be my 1st choice every year if I could apply there, even over the Gila.

 

[tdcour]

I put in for a different unit that only has seasons 1 and 2. 15 days for the first, 6 for the second. I put in first choice season 1 and second choice season 2.

 

[WapitiBob]

15/7 day maybe. Seasons are short enough, don't short yourself.

 

[Elkhunter96]

It takes a while in most cases to get an archery kill. Last good archery elk tag I had took me 11 days to seal the deal. With that short of seasons you either need to be local with plenty of scouting time or go guided. IMHO

 

[Kevin Root]

I'm no expert but I like mid September best typically. That's when the rut seems like it at its peak typically. Have an awesome hunt everyone! God bless you all and may you have successful hunts.