NM 16B 2nd rifle

TodaysTomSawyer · Mar 4, 2006

Thinking about putting in for the later Oct. hunt because of the increased odds of drawing. Has anyone hunted the 2nd rifle with decent success? Would be hiking in more than likely. [email protected]

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Mar 6, 2006

I've bow hunted 16B 4 times . Its a great unit , its all wilderness and a ways from any gas stations , so you don't have to deal with road hunters or atv hunters off on trails . The 2nd rifle hunt in my mind is still a tough hunt . The bulls are coming off the rutt and will hang up in the rougher country , feeding early and late and resting to replenish there weight loss and energy . Also being theres a rifle hunt just a week earlier , the bulls get pretty spooked . Not saying its not a good hunt , in my mind still a great one , but I'd put in for the first hunt as a 1st choice and then the second hunt . 16B is a great unit with some huge bulls , but like I said its all wilderness , the second rifle hunt , those bulls are gonna be pushed way off into the wilderness . I could be wrong though , roll the dice.....NMHUNTNUTT

TodaysTomSawyer · Mar 6, 2006

NMHUNTNUT1, appreciate the reply. Yea I kinda figured the elk would be a little edgy that late into the season. I've never steped foot in that unit although looking at the map it appears horses would be the only way to go to be effective. I may very well put in for the first hunt and if I get lucky look for horses to bring in there. Thanks again

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Mar 7, 2006

Its a unit that if you have horses that do well in the mtns , it would only better your chances . We have horses , so the hunt was easier to plan . We always base camped from Meown Fire base , and hunted out from there , but one year the elk moved up on Tom Moore Mesa which is right across the airstrip , the bulls were screaming nutts . Well we hunted hard the day before and were sore and pretty much over slept , awoke after the sun was up to the sound of the bulls bugling . We jumped up grabbed our bows and ran across the airstrip , about 20 minutes later my buddy Jason had his first archery bull on the ground . The guys back at camp listened to it all unfold and couldn't believe we sealed the deal so fast , but they drove right up to the bull , we loaded it whole for the half mile trip back to camp . The next year I shot my first elk with a bow , a cow at about 11:30 in the morning way back in the Meadows . By the time we found her it was around 1:30 and in the mid 80s' , we didn't have time to go back for the horses ,so we skinned here quartered her and packed her out with our packs . Luckily she was smaller , 300lbs maybe ,and there was three of us .
My point is the unit can be successfully hunted with out horses or mules , but I'd rather have em if possible . All the other elk we've killed there we needed and used our horses though...Hope this helps some , like I said , its a great unit with some great elk , but I'm telling you , ya might as well put in the first hunt as your first choice....NMHUNTNUTT

TodaysTomSawyer · Mar 7, 2006

NMHUNTNUTT, Thanks. How's the water situation in the back country that time of the year. Very many creeks that are generally reliable? Also how's the trail system out there for horses. Slow go, good or a little of both?

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Mar 8, 2006

Well its wilderness , so your gonna find trails of all sorts , but they are mostly very well suited for horses/mules , but we use our horses slow anyhow , its just safer and eaisier on them . We hunted above South Diamond creek , across from Black canyon , theres Aligator tank and about amile and ahalf theres another tank , can't remember the name , so there is water to hunt , and like I said theres a creek , but that water needs to be filtered for human use .If you pack in Diamond canyon below Spring Mtn . , the water runs pure up there , a guy told me the water filters itself every 15 feet or so and he'd drink right from it , so we did too , thats about 12-14 miles from forest road 150, but its real cold and good and no cattle back in there.... . Frontier Outfitters , GT Nunn may able to help you . I do know him personally , and know he puts hunters in there every year , give him a call (505)350-9775 , tell him Larry gave you his number . Anyhow he could drop camp you or fully guide the hunt too . He is a real respectable man , and will work his butt off for his clients .....NMHUNTNUTT

TodaysTomSawyer · Mar 8, 2006

If I should luck out and draw that unit, I'll certanially do some scouting around. Always helps to know where the water is, thanks. Yea, I would certanially give GT a call if I do draw.

DonVathome · Mar 8, 2006

I have no first hand experiance but guys I know who have hunted the 2nd rifle elsewhere (other NM units) said they never would again, they saw less elk, they got elk but still said it was to tough. First rifle was much better.