School me on NM 6A and 36

swcruiser · Jun 21, 2009

Guys,
New to this site but not to elk hunting. From AZ and have done fairly well except for drawing a tag this year. I have hunted unit 1, 3a/3c, 27, 23, and 4A. Considering buying a landowner tag for NM and would appreciate any information on the style/ quality of the hunts in 6A and 36. Not asking for "honey holes" and such but would welcome places to consider if I do get a tag.

In general I like to get away from the crowds and don't mind hiking 4-5 miles in and then back out in one day. Will also sleep on the mountain and backpack style hunt if required. Actually would prefer this if possible.

I have done some preliminary searching but haven't come up with too much on the quality of the hunts.

thanks for the help

ScottNM · Jun 22, 2009

6A and 36 are similar in quality imo. 6A is the one I would pick because 34 is about 4k a tag and 6A is usually 2500. Not a big enough diffirence to justify the extra 1500. Many people are still in denial about the quality, like the gila. Yes there are a few quality bulls, but not what is was. Chances for a 320-330 class bull are there in both units if you hunt hard. You may hear of bigger but it is the exception and not the rule. Alot of people like 34 but it is hunted hard. Again JMO

swcruiser · Jun 22, 2009

Scott,
Thanks for the info. did you mean 36 or 34? I thought 36 was less accessible than 34 and was a much different style of hunt. Is the quality comparable?

nmtaxi · Jun 22, 2009

If you look at the harvest success rates for MB, 6A sits around the 20% mark, while 36 is around 45%. As far as trophy quality, I know some real pigs are being taken out of 36. If money wasn't an object, I would take a 36 tag in a heartbeat.

swcruiser · Jun 22, 2009

nmtaxi,
Thanks for your opinion. Money is an object unfortunately but I do like hunting a unit that holds nice bulls. I guess I have been spoiled in AZ.

nmtaxi · Jun 22, 2009

I'm not saying Scott is wrong about trophy quality in 6A. I really have no experience in that unit. But the harvest data does show a lot higher success rate in 36, and I do know that the trophy potential is there in 36.

WapitiBob · Jun 22, 2009

34 gets hammered compared to 36 because of the terrain.

ScottNM · Jun 22, 2009

I meant unit 34. I did take a 5x6 out of 36 and if you know where to go its easy. However,all 5 camps in our area scored but nothing over 310 score. I just think the trophy quality in the sacs are comparable in general to 6a. WAY overpriced for that hunt. To pay 4k and know that a 320 bull would be a big success for that unit is too much. 34 is worth about 3k to me. Which is why I see 2500 for 6A a better value. You can hunt near the valle calderas and chase 320 class bulls.JMO

swcruiser · Jun 22, 2009

Scott,
Thanks. I agree on the price paid to expect a 320. Much harder to rationalize when you are coming from AZ where you pass on these bulls frequently. I will look more into 6A. I used to work at Los Alamos but never had an opportunity to hunt around there as I was drawn in AZ one year and then my brother got drawn the next. At any rate there is some nice country up there.

jodog · Jun 25, 2009

I have hunted both 6a and 36 quite a few times over the years and drew a 36 archery tag this year 3rd choice. 36 White Mt. Wilderness is all canyons VERY steep,tough terrain you really need to be strong and in shape for 36, alot of outfitters will ride past you with their hunters on horse back...been there done that. 6a has a lot of roads that you can drive and then get back in to where you want to be plus 6a also has a wilderness area. I think there are more elk in 36 but I would say the quality is about the same. I talked to a landowner about a tag 3 or 4 years ago in 36 and he wanted $3500 back then. I ended up with a 6a LO tag for $1000 IMO you could toss a coin on this one. Good luck.

PS. 2 years ago a guy I met in 6a that killed about a 280 - 300 in. bull then spent the rest of the week sitting the gut pile and killed a 200 lb. black bear.

swcruiser · Jun 26, 2009

Jodog,
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I like the idea of steep country even though you may see guys on horseback. In my opinion you still have to get off the horse and be able to cover ground easily on your own to hunt effectively, atleast the way I like to hunt.
If I could get a 6A tag for $1000 that might lead me the other way though considering I don't have direct experience on either unit. FYI I shot a black last year on my elk hunt in AZ but while I was glassing.
Congrats on the tag- if I decide on a 36 tag I will let you know. Have a great hunt!

jodog · Jun 26, 2009

Yea, the horse just takes a litte of the pain off you getting to where your going to hunt then hobble him or tie him up. A few years back I hit a bull at the head of one canyon in 36 and he ended up going down the side of the next canyon and dieing at the bottom that was tough even with horses. 36 has some ok places to kill a bull and some down right bad places to kill one and pack one out. If your in there alone and depending on where you killed him, I would highly recommend making arrangements with someone for some help packing out!

swcruiser · Jul 1, 2009

Jodog,
I was definately planning on finding someone to pack it out if I decided on the hunt. I have learned my lesson already. In my earlier years I was one of those guys that kept pushing themself further along the trail without worrying about how to pack an animal out. Found myself plenty of times with a downed animal many miles from a vehicle. I always managed to get it done but not without a lot of pain, sweat, swearing, and promises that I would never do it again.