North Central New Mexico,...what would be the best time to hunt 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.

 

[Zim]

Those are both good hunt dates depending on the weather. I've hunted units 49, 52 & 45 many times. Sept. 10th is fairly dependable in the high country I prefer. They usually fire up around then. However, the last time I hunted there in 2011 the summer monsoon dragged into mid-September and did not end until Sep. 17th. There was virtually zero bugling prior to that. But they were lit up the morning of the 18th as all that cleared out. Shot this guy at 8 AM. That was a very unusual year though, but shows how weather dependent it can be.

 

[swampokie]

I hunted in 52 oct 18 last fall and they were still screaming so I would bet that oct 7 would be awesome. Especially if oct 7 is muzzleloader hunt

 

[chsdaddy]

Is it a ranch only tag?
September would be archery and October could be rifle if it if ranch only or more than likely muzzle if it is unitwide. Depends on your weapon preference more than anything. If your hunting unmolested elk, they'll still be talking in October good enough to sneak in on. I think the big boys are easier to call in however before the rut kicks in high gear. Once they're cowed up they typically don't come to a call.