North Central New Mexico, What is the best time for Elk

[TexasBlueDevil]

I am fairly new to elk hunting and I have never hunted in New Mexico. However I have an opportunity to hunt a private ranch in North Central New Mexico,...nearly for free. The hunt dates would either be Sept 9-14 or Oct 7-12??

Is Sept 9-14 too early for rut? Is Oct 7-12 too late for the rut??

Thanks for the advice.

 

[WapitiBob]

Nope and probably not.

 

[tdcour]

I was in NW NM last year and it was hot and dry at the first of September. There were some bugles, but there were still a lot of cows by themselves and bulls without any cows, but there was a little rut activity. As soon as we left on the 10th, it got cool and some rain and the rut kicked into gear. I would say the 9-14 would have early rut action, but not full rut. October would be tail end of the rut, but should still have some rut activity. This is generally speaking, but I'm assuming you are also choosing between bow or gun with those dates?

 

[coloradoshedhead]

Nearly Free? Private Ranch Hunt? New Mexico? Go for both. Sounds like a good time. If I had to choose it would be the October dates cause bow season is all of September in Colorado. The early part of the season is nice though cause the bulls are still halfway uneducated.