NM unit 15, which muzzeloader hunt?

DonVathome · Apr 3, 2006

I have a freind who hired an outfitter in NM and the guy suggested the second muzzeloader hunt as a first choice. I have yet to hunt 15 but everyone I know who has hunted first and second season anywhere in NM, muzzeloader or rifle, has said the first hunt is always a lot better. I am wondering if this outfitter is trying to spread out his hunters.

I am not sure so I wanted to get your opinion, which hunt would you pick? Also how tough is the late (dec) muzzleloader hunt in 15? That is there 3rd choice.

NMRaptor · Apr 4, 2006

Any hunt in 15 is good.
-Raptor

DonVathome · Apr 4, 2006

Thanks, even late hunt has tough odds, I still think the first hunt would be better, if you had to pick which muzzleloader hunt would you pick?

Thanks, I am afraid they got steared towards second to "balance" out outfitters hunters and not have everyone going on first hunt.

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Apr 4, 2006

Don , 16E and 17 are also great big bull units , so why not 15 1st hunt -first choice and then 16E AND 17 , I'd rather be there in one of those units than in 15 on the second hunt , remember , theres a couple bow hunts and 2 more muzzle loader hunts by the time the second mz bull hunt comes on . Yeah , now that its combined , its bigger , but guys don't draw 15 and stay home , what I'm saying is by the second hunt theres already been some heavy traffic and them bigger bulls are gonna be even more spooked than normal , jsut some thing to think about .....NM

Gator · Apr 4, 2006

1st season should be a better hunt the bulls haven't be ran too hard. by the 2nd ML hunt they have seen alot of hunters already.

Warren · Apr 4, 2006

It depends if he wants to draw a tag or not.

DonVathome · Apr 4, 2006

Again this is not for me, buddy went with outfitter reccomendation and as soon as he said second muzzleloader hunt as first choice something seemed fishy. They applied as follows (all unit 15 muzzleloader):

1st choice 2nd muzzleloader hunt

2nd choice 1st muzzleloader hunt

3rd choice 3rd (late) muzzeloader hunt (nov or dec cannot remember)

Bottom line is it does not matter what choice they list first there overall odds of drawing will not vary at all BUT they should obviously list the best hunt first. IMO they did not. I cannot see any way the 2nd hunt would be a better choice for hunting (not drawing).

DonVathome · Apr 4, 2006

Oh yeah, first hunt has 200 tags and second hunt has 350 tags, so you are hunting with 75% more hunters on the second hunt (there first choice) elk are rutting less, there are less elk (many will be taken during the first hunt) and the are more nocturnal and more spooky.

Given the choice why would you want a later hunt? Draw odds do not matter if you list all three choices.

More hunters, less, elk, less rutting, more nocturnal, more edgy elk, worse weather. Is there any upside?