Unit 13, NM

[Fallguy]

Will be hunting there for the 3rd straight season this fall. Took a decent 3x4 last year. Tough hunt with very few deer sightings and rank country. Anyone else going or have hunted there before? The first year was a real learning experience, skunked. Still learned alot this past year and would appreciate any tips or past stories. Thanks

 

[HuntinAddict]

I have hunted cow Elk in this unit the last 3 seasons and have had success, but I have NEVER seen a deer. However, I know of people who have killed nice bucks in 13. The ranger even told me that he has seen 30"+ bucks when conducting plane surveys.
I think that the unit is so rough (terrain wise) and there are small populations of deer which makes it a tuff hunt. This unit is probably due to be changed to a draw unit because it gets pounded by hundreds of OTC rifle hunters every season. Where abouts do you hunt? I hunt elk around the sawtooths and FR 6A.

 

[Fallguy]

I hunt the mountains above Chavez spring. I agree with the terrain, it is big country. You are right there are a ton of hunters. Truck loads of 30-30.'s. There are deer if you really work for them. Have you seen any big bulls?

 

[HuntinAddict]

During my cow elk hunts the last 3 seasons I have seen only 2 small bulls, but then again the hunts fell later in the season (December).

A friend of mine had a cow elk tag (bow season) last year and he saw many nice 350class bulls. So they are in there.

This unit is known for nice bulls, but overall the herd is small( Not counting the heard on the 200 square mile HH Ranch ).

Have you ever hunted on or near the Sawtooths? How about north of Magdalena? There are locals who hunt the rolling hills north of Magdalena and they pull nice deer out year after year. I have scouted this area but the terrain just looks "lifeless" to me. It's like rocky sand dunes with a few pinon/junipers thrown in here and there. Do you scout 13 much in the offseason?

 

[badshot]

I've shot a nice seven point deer two years ago in the bear springs area but while bowhunting last year spotted a couple of small bulls, a nice six by six with broken points and a really nice six by seven bull elk. The following week I took my video camera and managed to get above the bull with the six by six about thirty yards over a rim. This year I put in for bow and sure hope I get picked

 

[nmelk13]

Here is my buddys bull from 13 last year. I only saw 2 elk last year a cow the day before the season and on the last day a real hog but could never get a shot off. But I have seen some real nice bulls in that unit it just sucks that there is 10 elk in 500 miles of nasty country.

 

[Fallguy]

That's a big bull. Approximately what did it score? The first year there, I saw lots of bulls. None last year. Do you ever see deer low with the elk? I have never seen deer in the meadows or draws. Only up really high. I'll be out there the whole 2nd deer season. Haven't decided where to hunt. Actually have 3 or 4 areas to decide upon. Last minute scouting will have to suffice. May check out the Sawtooths. Eagle Guest.

Thanks

 

[nmelk13]

It scored 368 and some change, to tell you the truth I have only ran into a few deer over the past 5 years in that unit. Most of them does and no big bucks small forkies... But I have found some good sheds just seems like the deer have really disappeared. I have been up during deer season going after bears and it is a mad house. It is sad when you see guys driving camaros with war paint on. I have some friends that hunt 13 for deer and they hunt around Datil but have only popped a few small ones.