New Mexico 16 A Archery Elk

huntrite · Jun 16, 2011

Wandering if anyone knows anything about the 3rd archery hunt in 16 A. What is the average age class of the bulls and will there be hot and heavy rutting action during the Sept 19 thru the 24th season? Never hunted elk in New Mexico before but I have been told that those elk tend to rut a little later that those bulls in Montana and Idaho.

northwesthunter · Jun 16, 2011

You got my tag!! My brother had that tag last year and I went along. They were rutting pretty good evening and throughout the night and would bugle til about 10am or so and bed down and then start up again a few hours before dark. We had very little success calling bulls in mostly chasing bugles and getting in front of them. 16a is beautiful country and lots of elk and bulls. We didnt see many huge bulls but lots of 300 class. He killed a 310 bull on second to last day. Some guys were sitting on water with success but hard to do when there are elk bugling everywhere. Great tag have fun there are literally elk everywhere you go in that unit! nwhunter

huntrite · Jun 17, 2011

Was it dry last year? From what I have gathered already, they are a experiencing a real dry year. I wonder how that will affect everything.

nmelkandmuleys · Jun 17, 2011

yep its dry bud really dry smoky to! there a big fire south of there! plenty of bulls tho

"Better to dwell in the wilderness, Then with a contentious and angry women Proverbs 21:19)

hunthard247 · Jun 17, 2011

The rainy season has not started. Always dry right now down there.

crazyaboutcoues · Jun 17, 2011

I'm sure the bulls will be hot during the third hunt...

www.gilawildernesshunting.com

huntrite · Jun 20, 2011

Well my buddy has some hope of water then...I think he will have a great time. I have the Unit 15 tag at the same time so my unit is probably looking about the same way. I think Unit 16 A is a little better unit than 15. What do you guys think?

goatrunner · Jun 20, 2011

had the tag 2 years ago, Great tag 3rd season also. 2nd best tag in the state. Bugling really heated up the last 2 days of the season. Private message me and i'll give some great areas to chech out. Get off the beatin path.

me_rob2011 · Jun 21, 2011

It's normally a great hunt, but if it doesn't start raining soon it might not be as good as it can be. Good luck...should be some big bulls in there.

BRUIN4L · Jun 21, 2011

Hunted 15 with a friend a couple of years ago. We found that the hunting got better each day. Hunt hard and don't stop until the last drop of daylight

huntrite · Jun 21, 2011

Man I cant wait. Sounds like we are in for a great season. Did the bulls respond to calls well in Unit 15?

bolsen · Jun 28, 2011

i drew unit 17 during the same time as you. everyone ive talked to says they will be screaming!

BRUIN4L · Jun 28, 2011

I found that the bulls were vocal but not what I would call hot. I called 1 six point in to 20 yards for him but the wind changed on us and the game was over. I had to leave with 3 days left in the season so I missed the best time. He was able to call in 2 bulls by himself (and missed both!) during that time and I don't consider him a very good caller.

couesmagnet · Jun 29, 2011

Get ready to rumble with big bulls!! I am excited also as i drew 16a (1st hunt archery). The only problem is that gila elk have really small 5ths on their frames on really dry years. I have had 16a several times and 16d. On dry years it is hard to find a bull with 5ths over 10-12 inches. I wish i had the late hunt though as you are literaly guaranteed lots of calling from bulls. I am an arizona resident and i would rather hunt the gila than arizona almost any day. We have taken 2 bulls in the mid 380s and many over 350, all with bows in the 16 units. Good luck to all,cause i am foaming at the mouth to let the air out of a big gila bull with my nonresident archery elk tag.