I put in for a guided hunt in NM Oct 7-11. If I don't get drawn, guide has access to landowner tags. Really looking forward to it. Have already started my conditioning.
Thinking about elk
Never hunted elk but seen a lot. I'm thinking maybe I'd like to try elk hunting on my own, so National Forest, public land. A Rocky Mountain State. An area I could drive into. Not too hot about a cow elk but a bull might just be a spike, etc. so I wouldn't rule out cow tag. On my own, will camp out during hunt. Modern Gun best, then Muzzle loader- a very close second, third bow but farther down on preference.
So...anyone do that kind of thing and any recommendations?
I don't need "hire a guide" beyond my $$. Thanks for any suggestions.
So...anyone do that kind of thing and any recommendations?
I don't need "hire a guide" beyond my $$. Thanks for any suggestions.
21 - 29 of 29 Posts
Cardio! Good luck with your draw
Hope you get the draw GAdadinOK. If you don't get the draw, are the landowner tags for cow elk later in the season? I think today was the last day of the NM draw entries?
It's a tough hunt getting up and down those mountains.
I hunted elk in NM for 12 years before the ranch got leased out from under us by a business in Denver that wanted to entertain clients with elk hunts.
I was in great shape when starting out there, making the hunts pretty easy. I was working in a power plant at the time with the day spent climbing stairs and ladders.
After retiring and not getting all that exercise, it got pretty tough to get up those slopes. The cabin was at 8500 feet altitude. We typically shot the elk at the 10,000' elevation, then had to hike back down to get the recovery equipment.
Fortunately it was a working cattle ranch with roads around it so we were always able to get the animal to a truck or UTV to get them out whole.
It's a tough hunt getting up and down those mountains.
I hunted elk in NM for 12 years before the ranch got leased out from under us by a business in Denver that wanted to entertain clients with elk hunts.
I was in great shape when starting out there, making the hunts pretty easy. I was working in a power plant at the time with the day spent climbing stairs and ladders.
After retiring and not getting all that exercise, it got pretty tough to get up those slopes. The cabin was at 8500 feet altitude. We typically shot the elk at the 10,000' elevation, then had to hike back down to get the recovery equipment.
Fortunately it was a working cattle ranch with roads around it so we were always able to get the animal to a truck or UTV to get them out whole.
Good luck to you. They changed all our non resident stuff here so now it gonna cost 2 arms, a leg and a kidney for a non resident to hunt here for any of the ungulates.
Landowner tag would be a bull tag.Yep, it's an arm, leg and a kidney, but it's a bucket list item, and I'm in a financial and health place to do it now...so....no time like the present. Just want to make sure I'm ready for it. From what I've heard & read, biggest reason for lack of success is the hunter's lack of fitness. I will not let that be the case for me.Hope you get the draw GAdadinOK. If you don't get the draw, are the landowner tags for cow elk later in the season? I think today was the last day of the NM draw entries?
It's a tough hunt getting up and down those mountains.
I hunted elk in NM for 12 years before the ranch got leased out from under us by a business in Denver that wanted to entertain clients with elk hunts.
I was in great shape when starting out there, making the hunts pretty easy. I was working in a power plant at the time with the day spent climbing stairs and ladders.
After retiring and not getting all that exercise, it got pretty tough to get up those slopes. The cabin was at 8500 feet altitude. We typically shot the elk at the 10,000' elevation, then had to hike back down to get the recovery equipment.
Fortunately it was a working cattle ranch with roads around it so we were always able to get the animal to a truck or UTV to get them out whole.
DIdn't get drawn, so land-owner tag it'll be.
Being that I am originally from Oregon where elk are prevalent on the coast and on the Easter side of the state I’d say you could see how much a license and tag are there for a non-resident. Several of the eastern units are very popular and have high success rates. Just a thought!
last time I looked at the regs you are correct. They also had plans of changing up how archery tags are obtained. Basically east of cascades was all draw tags for rifle and west of cascades was general. But for archery it was basically general everywhere. I think they are making east side a controlled hunt for archery now too.WA & OR don’t allow scopes or fiber optic sights on MLs if I’m not mistaken.
I can’t help you with locations as it’s been so long since I hunted WA and my brother just deer hunts.
21 - 29 of 29 Posts
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