I was wondering opinions for a first choice rifle unit in southern nm. Ive narrowed it to 16b 16e 34 and 36. I know this doesn't narrow it down that much but I know a lot of you have hunted some and all of these units and was wanting opinions or options. Thanks
!st choice elk unit
- Thread starter swampokie
- Start date
Alabama
Veteran member
I'm not really sure what a !st choice is?
Are you going backpacking? Horses? 16B/22 looks like some rough, rough country that horses or a drop camp would be best. It has the best season dates for rifle (Oct 15-19) with no youth season before it, so you would get 1st crack at them with a gun. 16E isn't as rough but is most road-less so horses or a drop camp would be best here as well. The season dates aren't as good here (Oct 22-26) plus you have a youth rifle season then a muzzy season before you get there. 34 has a youth rifle and then a muzzy hunt before the (Oct 22-26) rifle season. 36 has great season dates (Oct 15-19) but a muzzy hunt before it. If you're hunting with horses go 16B. If backpacking or car camping then go for 36. I would strongly consider the muzzy hunts if wanting to hunt 16E, 34, or 36. The season dates are better and besides youth hunts you'll get 1st chance at those bulls with anything other than archery.
Are you going backpacking? Horses? 16B/22 looks like some rough, rough country that horses or a drop camp would be best. It has the best season dates for rifle (Oct 15-19) with no youth season before it, so you would get 1st crack at them with a gun. 16E isn't as rough but is most road-less so horses or a drop camp would be best here as well. The season dates aren't as good here (Oct 22-26) plus you have a youth rifle season then a muzzy season before you get there. 34 has a youth rifle and then a muzzy hunt before the (Oct 22-26) rifle season. 36 has great season dates (Oct 15-19) but a muzzy hunt before it. If you're hunting with horses go 16B. If backpacking or car camping then go for 36. I would strongly consider the muzzy hunts if wanting to hunt 16E, 34, or 36. The season dates are better and besides youth hunts you'll get 1st chance at those bulls with anything other than archery.Im looking at the 2nd rifle hunts that there are actually a chance in drawing. In 34 there is only 1 so the odds are not good. The 1st rifle hunts odds are so awful I don't think I wanna try. Do you think that a second rifle hunt in any of these units would be that much worse?
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Alabama
Veteran member
You asked about 1st choice. I would "swing for the fence" on the 1st choice and go for the hunts with the best dates. Later dates in same unit (or general area) for 2nd choice then look north for 3rd choice.
I really do think the season dates plus little to no previous pressure (plus some late rutting activity) will help someone like me with very limited experience. If you are an elk slaying machine then I would put in for the later dates and go slay a giant!
Good luck Okie! (and Roll Tide)
I really do think the season dates plus little to no previous pressure (plus some late rutting activity) will help someone like me with very limited experience. If you are an elk slaying machine then I would put in for the later dates and go slay a giant!
Good luck Okie! (and Roll Tide)