New Mexico Elk In Area 36

Prism · Jun 17, 2006

Even though draw results haven't been posted, I'm taking a pretty educated guess that a buddy and I have drawn area 36 for either the first or second rifle hunt-due to credit card charges.

Hunted elk once before in New Mexico near Chama and had an awesome experience. It's a beautiful state and I'm looking forward to spending some time in the high country of the south. It's kind of weird to think of elevations like that so far south.

What I know about the unit is that there is some potential for some huge bulls, but the country is steep deep and nasty. I've never hunted down there, but my buddy has spent some time on the indian reservation nearby.

He's never hunted mature bulls so he's pretty dang excited.

Do any of you know of anybody that offers drop camps in that area, or some begining points that we could look at for hunting from a trailer-based camp?

We're young and dumb enough to backpack if necessary, but the idea of packing an elk or two out of a wilderness on our backs isn't very enticing. Info on local meat retrieval services would be appreciated too.

Figures the year we draw the moisture sucks, but it'll still be good to learn some new country and chase elk around for a week.

Hope the draws are as kind to you!

Here's couple of bulls I've been lucky to take in Utah the last couple of years. Hoping to top them both with a big boy from New Mexico!

www.neverenoughbiggame.com

NONE · Jun 17, 2006

I have hunted there and will never do that again . Took a 340 bull . saw 1 bigger I think but I almost had to eat him there. I payed a guy 100 bucks to pack him out after I tried to on foot . Luckily it was bitterly cold I killed him on day three I was back in there 4 miles from trailhead finally found a guy just out on horseback ride on my seventh day out . That unit is exactly what you said without horses now way!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of small bulls close to the trailhead and road ,raghorns and spikes but once you are back in there you should run into plenty of 6x6 type bulls. Once the aspens loose threre leaves its a real good hunt as you can see them across canyons .

nvnative79 · Jun 17, 2006

I put in for that hunt also. My friend killed a 366 gross 349 net bull (one short fifth) in the early rifle season last year. I found an outfitter that does a drop hunt. I think it was around $1000 using there camping stuff, a little creepier if you bring your stuff. I have the website on my favorites on my computer at work. I will tell you on monday what it is. Good luck I hope we drew also, my friend said it was an awesome hunt.

Pistolero_in_NM · Jun 17, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-06 AT 10:31PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-06 AT 10:30?PM (MST)

Call Johnny Hughes -Elite Outfitters 505-257-5379 or eliteoutfitters.com
They have a lodge in Nogal canyon and also pack into the wilderness. He should be able to get you set up or be able to pack one out for you when you whack one. Pray for rain it's dry!!!!!
Jared
PS I don't know if I'd pass the bottom bull in 36 especially this year(or any year!!!).

PleaseDear · Jun 17, 2006

Congrats Paul!!

You can borrow a couple of my llamas to pack him out if ya want... they are very experienced with packing dead animals out.. no problem...if I'm not using them during your hunt date timeframe...

Robb

Prism · Jun 18, 2006

Thanks for the info guys, and the offer Rob. I checked out Elite's website. Looks like they kill some great bulls. It seems the prices are pretty reasonable when compared to the overpriced hunts of Utah.

We'd definitely prefer to hunt on our own, but would possibly like to find someone to pack us in and out. Or do you guys think we'd be better off just hunting from a roaded base camp?

It looks like there are quite a few campgrounds. Do you know if many of them are open during the Oct. seasons?

According to the maps I've looked at it would seem that a guy could get into the elk w/o having to pack in a long ways? I can't imagine that the hunting pressure is too bad with only 100 tags.

Though we'd both like to shoot a 350+ bull down there, I don't think we'll be letting any 330 class bulls walk by

Who knows with the drought this year we may be lucky to get something at all over 300.

The lower bull in the photos scored just under 370. I'll likely never shoot a bigger one, but I doesn't hurt to dream (or try)

!

Send me a PM or email if you'd rather talk in private.

www.neverenoughbiggame.com

hunt1 · Jun 19, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Jun-19-06 AT 09:42AM (MST)[p]Rent horses especially if you get the 2nd rifle hunt to cover more ground. The rut will be well over and hunting pressure will have been strong. Unfortunately, muzzleloaders slaughter them every year, hopefully you got the first rifle hunt.

huntscout · Jun 19, 2006

I hope this hunt will be captured on tape for your next video. Just got your most current one and it rocked! Good luck on your hunt....

nvnative79 · Jun 19, 2006

Prism, The outfitter I was talking about is s-soutfitters.com. They are alittle more than I thought.

Prism · Jun 19, 2006

Thanks for info.

I'm happy to see the DVD doing so well and guys liking it as much as they do.

I'm hoping have a few more elk hunts on the next DVD.

Looks like there are a few dandy bulls killed down there every year.

SwitchbackCO · Jun 20, 2006

My Partner and i drew 36 and are going out with elite outfitters during archery, we both have been training for a couple monthes but are gona be in kamakazi mode for the next 10 weeks. I just got back from a 12 mile windy bike ride, but now im a man on a mission and will push myself as hard as i can. I have heard horror stories about 36. I am so glad i am training at 6000 ft , its not 11500 but its better than sea level for training for this hunt for me anyway.

Good info guys thanks alot, nice bulls btw!

Prism · Jun 20, 2006

Good luck on the archery hunt. Leave some for us!

It's official that we drew the Oct. 14-18th hunt.

Hopefully the guys with the earlier hunts will have the little guys thined out for us!

I'm sorta kinda confused though. It looks fairly rough on the topos-expecially the western side, but it doesn't look any rougher than say the Greys or Wasatch. To those of you that have hunted Wyoming, Utah, SE Idaho, Ruby's, etc, how does it compare??? Is it really that bad?