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highmountain
Guest
Looking to hunt unit 52 NM. Are the elk numbers good and what size of bulls can I expect to see? Any info would be great. Thanks!!
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highmountain
Guest
If there's a lot of elk, why aren't there bigger sized bulls? Are they getting killed or is the country just too open and they're getting pushed around! Thanks nmtaxi for the info.
JRABQ
Active Member
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- 874
Some people claim the lack of "bigger sized bulls" is genetics. Hunting pressure might be a factor, some of these elk migrate from CO, which is OTC tags just across the border. I have seen a couple of bulls killed (years ago) that were probably in the 320-330 range, just a guess, they were damn nice elk in my book. But if you just have to get one bigger than 280-300 you'd better go elsewhere.
JR
JR
DonVathome
Very Active Member
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- 1,717
HUGE study about elk in 52 on NM website, something like 90% of bulls are shot the first year they have antlers. They are hunted hard. I seriously doubt it is genetics. Lots of elk, a few big ones, almost no HUGE ones.
Oso
Active Member
- Messages
- 103
Everything that the guys above have said is absolutely true. There are some big bulls there but they are rare. Great hunting area.
The next question is - if a 280 6x6 bull walks in or presents himself, are you going to pass on him holding out for a 300+ bull with the chance of not taking home a bull. If you can honestly say yes to that, go hunt in another unit. If you are going to kill a bull that size than this is a good unit for you.
Everyone wants to kill a 300 plus bull but there are very few people that will pass on a reall good high 200 class 6x6 bull.
Just an observation from 40 years of elk hunting.
Kiowa Hunting Service
www.kiowahunting.com
[email protected]
The next question is - if a 280 6x6 bull walks in or presents himself, are you going to pass on him holding out for a 300+ bull with the chance of not taking home a bull. If you can honestly say yes to that, go hunt in another unit. If you are going to kill a bull that size than this is a good unit for you.
Everyone wants to kill a 300 plus bull but there are very few people that will pass on a reall good high 200 class 6x6 bull.
Just an observation from 40 years of elk hunting.
Kiowa Hunting Service
www.kiowahunting.com
[email protected]
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ddfeed
Guest
Well Highmountain,,, Doesn't look like you are going to hunt unit 52. Lets look for another unit!! I know you wont drive to NM to hunt 280 bulls and neither would I. A 280 bull is a dandy,,, but we can hunt those up that creek, by the big tree right after the road forks up on the grassy nole. And if HB Comes with the Hootchie Mama,,, They will be comin from all directions!!!
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highmountain
Guest
Well ddfeed, you are right we can hunt 280 bulls all over idaho and with the nonresident tags not selling out we could shoot as many as we want. Far as passing up 280 to kill 300 I wouldn't because I would be passing and looking for 340 and up!!! If 300 is all that is in the unit well then one would my name on it.
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NMHUNTNUTT1
Guest
Oso said it best. DonV also knows of 52 , very well as he has killed two nice bulls with his bow and a real nice bull with his smoke pole , and he's from OH or IL or IN , BUT non the less he knows the unit better than many locals.
As for 52 having many elk , yep it does, some 6000+ were the counts .Is there big bulls , yep, but what is big to you may not be big to others. You will see a 280-300 inch bull with cows in 52 where as in the Gila its not likely to see many cows with this size bull once the rut really picks up. My experiance with a huge majority of hunters is they do not know the difference between a 280inch bull vs. a 330. I've been with guys who see a 280-290 inch bull and think they are looking at a 320 bull.Now there are alot of rag horn bulls killed in this unit , but again , its because there is alot of rag horn bulls.There are still bigger 320 -340 bulls killed every year , but many are not heard of or posted on sites.Unit 52 is a great elk unit , it has all sorts of country , from sage brush bowls and flats , to oak brush filled hills to aspen meadows. Its got elk country of many flavors and enough elk to fill it all. If a guy is concerned about Boone & Crocket scores , than this probably isn't the unit that best fits that bill. But if a person is looking for an elk unit with very good oppertunity to hunt beautiful country , see lots of elk , some deer ,antelope and ,maybe a bear or 2 , and even drop a line up in Hopewell , than 52 is just that.Bow hunters paradise , just leave the inches out and hunt and enjoy....Bar far , my favorite unit.....Larry
As for 52 having many elk , yep it does, some 6000+ were the counts .Is there big bulls , yep, but what is big to you may not be big to others. You will see a 280-300 inch bull with cows in 52 where as in the Gila its not likely to see many cows with this size bull once the rut really picks up. My experiance with a huge majority of hunters is they do not know the difference between a 280inch bull vs. a 330. I've been with guys who see a 280-290 inch bull and think they are looking at a 320 bull.Now there are alot of rag horn bulls killed in this unit , but again , its because there is alot of rag horn bulls.There are still bigger 320 -340 bulls killed every year , but many are not heard of or posted on sites.Unit 52 is a great elk unit , it has all sorts of country , from sage brush bowls and flats , to oak brush filled hills to aspen meadows. Its got elk country of many flavors and enough elk to fill it all. If a guy is concerned about Boone & Crocket scores , than this probably isn't the unit that best fits that bill. But if a person is looking for an elk unit with very good oppertunity to hunt beautiful country , see lots of elk , some deer ,antelope and ,maybe a bear or 2 , and even drop a line up in Hopewell , than 52 is just that.Bow hunters paradise , just leave the inches out and hunt and enjoy....Bar far , my favorite unit.....Larry
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highmountain
Guest
Larry thanks for the info, You are right when it comes to alot of people think the bulls they are looking at are bigger than they really are! Now days with all the mag., computers, vidoes etc, we all hope that the next elk is the big one, so we tend to judge them as so. It sounds like a great hunt with that many elk. I have a buddy with fish and game here in idaho and one of our best units only has half that many elk {3500}. So all in all it sounds like 52 is like Idaho, lots of elk and just a few good ones. Thanks again!! Lance.
