Gila NM DIY archery elk. Help!

[Heetrie]

All,

I need some help! Drew a great archery elk tag in the Gila, New Mexico... wilderness area. Pretty much foot and horse only into this area. Been looking at an area 12-18 miles in. Hunt is Sept. 1-14th. Most likely headed down a day or two before and hunting until I kill. The stars aligned for me to get a tag, and then didn't align as I've been trying to find some help on this hunt. My normal hunting partners are all either with their own tags or have an expecting wife and not able to. It's a unique situation for sure. It's not a hunt I really want to do solo, but will if I need to.

I am hoping to get two things:
1. Someone to come hunt with me. Could be up to two weeks in the back country chasing big bulls around. Preferably someone that knows how to call an elk in, if needed, and doesn't mind doing spot and stalk and hiking upwards of 15 miles a day. I'm not the type of guy to sit for a day on a watering hole. Although I am content glassing from the top of a mountain for days if needed. And then once I find, I pursue.

2. Anyone that knows anyone down that way that has access to horses. I've called a bunch of people in NM, but haven't found anyone that will work out yet to line up for hauling out a bull when I get one.

Please message me if you or anyone you know can help me out!

 

[Servehim]

Wish I could help. 16b hunts can be Extremely rewarding as Huge Bulls live there without a doubt. Major committment in either effort or finances to get guided help. Sadly I don't have productive help other than what you've probably already explored . I will say that spending some bucks here will most likely provide you with memories that last a life time. Years ago my wife and I along with another couple hired a rangler to take us deep into the wilderness a special time never to be forgoted.

 

[hank4elk]

Tom of SFRO might know someone who can pack for you.I know he's usually booked for his hunters,but his daughter does packing service too.
TIP. Most guys go way back in on horse or by foot and right past great spots. Many too far to get meat out in time during hot bow season,IMHO.

 

[Thomas11]

That's a long ways on foot! I've hunted unit c that borders B. The country will beat u up. I would shoot for 2-4 miles at most in. Remember if your GPS says 2 miles it could be more like 4 on foot because u have to go up and down. I stay in great shape year round and I promise u that country will beat up u! I would think there would be great hunting 2 or so miles in. Maybe look for a access point that isn't a trailhead and go cross country. Just my two cents!

 

[Mbogo]

After reading your requirements I know just the guy. His name is: A Guide.
He can be reached various ways.

All joking aside, I think it is going to be a tall order to find someone who fits exactly what you are looking for without paying them.
I hope you have a great hunt and are able to post some kill pics. Good luck.

 

[goldhunter]

Come in from the north and you will be in elk within 200 yds not 15 miles. Its elk heaven in there and you'll be walking right by a bunch of them, plus if you get one down without having a packer lined up it will be brutal.

 

[junior]

Something else to think about! With the draw odds now, you may never draw that tag again. Tough odd for those tags!

You could even look into a semi-guided deal. Pretty sure Jim Wells or someone would be willing to do that.

 

[rockn9858]

BJ nation out of Cruzville has horses and if you set up in time will get you in and out.

 

[rockn9858]

BJ Nation. PO Box 450. Reserve, NM 87830. 575-533-6230

 

[BigPig]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-19-15 AT 11:02AM (MST)[p]Had this tag in 2013. Fun hunt despite the torrential flooding. IMO, to hunt this unit best you NEED stock. It doesn't get cold enough at night to hang meat and if you are hunting by yourself, you are very, very limited. You could chase a bull down into a canyon and only be 2 miles from a trailhead, but no way you will get it all out by yourself without spoilage. And then the trailhead is likely another couple hours from a cold locker. You have to have seen the Gila Country to understand. Big mountains and STEEP canyons with lots of deadfall.

If you plan on hunting out of the north end, I'd call Tom Klumpker with San Francisco River Outfitters. His daughter does drop camps and he should be able to put you in touch for a meat haul out. And even at that, hunting solo, you might end up having a tough time getting a dead bull to where a horse/mule can get to it. I really hope you can find a buddy to go with you or you will have to be very choosy and limit yourself where you hunt, keeping meat extraction in mind. Or, bite the bullet and hire an outfitter. The Gila is not just any old elk hunt are requires special considerations.

Good luck though. It's a great hunt and I'd give anything to have that tag again!

 

[stoney]

My daughter and BJ Nation both work under my permit and might be able to pack out an elk but no more than 7-10 miles in. It won't be cheap.

It is ludicrous to even try 12-18 miles and especially by yourself, during the warm September seasons. You darn sure won't get an elk out, that far in, before it spoils. Not ethical and or doable and suggests one is only going for the antlers only and really don't care about the meat.

 

[hank4elk]

What Tom says is spot on!

 

[cmbbulldog]

Listen to Stoney!

No need to go near that far in.

 

[MoGreen]

>That's a long ways on foot!
>I've hunted unit c that
>borders B. The country will
>beat u up. I would
>shoot for 2-4 miles at
>most in. Remember if your
>GPS says 2 miles it
>could be more like 4
>on foot because u have
>to go up and down.
>I stay in great shape
>year round and I promise
>u that country will beat
>up u! I would think
>there would be great hunting
>2 or so miles in.
>Maybe look for a access
>point that isn't a trailhead
>and go cross country. Just
>my two cents!


This s great advice no matter what 4 legged critters you hunt and where. Everybody has to go back in 10 miles. So many people walk by hunting in the 1.5 - 4 miles cone it is not even funny. Although we will probably all pay a price for saying it online.

Plus it is not easy to get a tag in NM. What did that unit give out this year? 150 tops?

 

[Thomas11]

I agree! The whole area is very remote. Huge unit with limited tags so why attempt going in that far? I don't actually think anyone could hike in that far with 14 days worth of camp, gear, etc into the gila. Idk? Maybe they could. It's very difficult terrain up and down constantly. I've hunted CO at high elevation but to me the terrain of the Gila makes it more difficult. I applied for this hunt this yr as I really like this hunt. I did not draw. My plan was 1-3 miles and have a buddy along to help pack an elk if need be. I feel most of the pressure will be around the access points of the major trails where the outfitters use. So just pick somewhere there aren't major trails and go hunt! Wish I had the tag but I did draw an AZ early archery this yr for elk so I'm happy! Good luck to all those that drew a tag as well!

 

[AZ4life]

I know nothing about that area, but 14 days on your back that far in expecting to hike that much every day could be asking for disaster, unless you think you are Rich Froning or something haha. Finding a partner that is even in shape enough to do that could be even harder.

 

[JayScottOutdoors]

I hope you get it figured out and kill a good one!

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