new mexico youth hunt help

[kytexican]

Hey folks, I have read this site for several year now, but just now am posting. I forget more passwords that birthdays. My question is this: What would be a decent unit to put in for elk or deer in New Mexico? This would be for my 2 boys. One is age 11, the other 12. Both shoot well with rifles, but neither can pull enough poundage for ethical shots with bows. I haven't introduced them to muzzy yet.

I am only looking for a unit designation, not a specific canyon. We will probably look to apply for antlerless elk, and deer. They have never been, and I promised them from day one, when their grades are up, and they are big enough I would take them. Its time now. I don't care if I draw or not, but I will put in separately, so if they don't draw, at least they would get to camp. I have hunted 16, 52, and the White Mountain areas, (w/o success). I like the terrain in 52, and think they could handle it, but we saw 1 doe, the entire hunt, and only heard 1 or 2 shots, and I think they were in CO. My brother will assist in guiding so I think we will be all right with personnel.

The boys are familiar with camping, and backpacking, and I have done several back-country wilderness hunts.

In short I would just like them to get an oppurtunity to shoot a cow or buck.

I have looked at the odds, and the units I thought they could draw were few and far between. Thank you, and if successful I will post pictures of them. Yes, they will be skipping school. This is more important.

 

[crazeymaez]

Unit 2b youth hunt deer.And unit 52 cow hunt youth only great chance of tagging or at least seeing animals.

 

[kytexican]

I have looked at those two, I had decided against the 2b youth because of the poor odds. Thanks.

 

[Califelkslayer]

You get 3 choices, make all 3 count. Go with quality 1st and 2nd choices. I'd apply for 34 for elk if I was you. Without checking I think the NR unguided odds were either 25% or 33%, better than residents. Most guys won't apply their children for expensive bulls tags UNLESS they can hunt too. I was gonna apply my son for NM quality elk tags last year but his behavior didn't warrant it. :-(

I think all the youth hunts are ES too.

 

[kytexican]

Are you saying to put them in for 34? Or me? I would put them in for good tags, (I don't care about myself) but I know how important scouting is. I know what you mean about your son. Last year the oldest was scheduled to go with me to CO, but I didn't take him. He was supposed to keep his room clean for the year,(Yes, the entire year!) He didn't, so he stayed home.

How about 53? Are there any deer in the BLM land? They can both handle fairly long shots. Thank you for replying.