ATV or no

muleymaddness · Jul 12, 2007

I've got an elk hunt in New Mexico planned. Would it be advantageous to borrow my uncle's ATV (mule), or should I just stick with my truck (Chevy z-71 in pretty good condition) and head off from the roads I'm okay to drive down.

This will be an archery elk hunt and if I take an ATV, I will have to tow it apprx 500 miles.

Cory

Bulzeye · Jul 12, 2007

If you do decide to bring it make sure you buy an OHV registration sticker for your hunt. We didn't buy them last year and the G&F officer made us park the quads until we went into town and purchased them. I think you can find out more info about them on the G&F website.

And by the way, I'm not sure what area you'll be hunting but in the areas we hunt there are some rough roads that I don't like to beat up the truck on. I prefer to use a quad to the end of the road and then walk.

muleymaddness · Jul 12, 2007

That's kind of what I was thinking.

Good idea to check the G&F website - I had totally forgot about that.

lionking · Jul 12, 2007

What I like to do is use my ATV to park it,lock it up at a destination, I will end up after a full day of hunting then drive back to the truck or camp. It works out cause you can hunt alot of land and not have to worry about having to get back to the truck by walking miles. Just my thought.

lionking

WapitiBob · Jul 12, 2007

we used our quads in 16c. Man were those roads rough. Never had a problem up there. Everybody up there had quads and used them like a pickup. Drive the road to your destination then park along the road and go hunting. Nobody messed with a quad either. Bow cases, coats, excess gear all left on the quad right next to the road.

Met some real nice people there.

Gator · Jul 12, 2007

If it rain that quad MIGHT be the only way around, I would say TAKE IT.

TheHunt · Jul 12, 2007

Bring the quad. If you have some extra money I would buy the hush kit for your exhaust (Cabelas). I had elk bugling many times and a quad drove up and called. The elk shut up until the quad fired up and drove off. I would not hunt from it but it is always fun to call as your driving into the spot your going to hunt.

Jim

WapitiBob · Jul 12, 2007

I had elk bugle less than 100 yards from my quad and before I could climb off after shutting it off. never have seen anything like it.

vinihunt · Jul 13, 2007

we use our quads on 16E...road on 16E are extreme ROUGH!! but huntin from foots where we park isn't too bad...

wapitibob--any chance u see some deer in 16C? we camp in 16C and saw 3 bulls 500 yds from our camp and we had 16E tags...can't believe!!

vinihunt

WapitiBob · Jul 13, 2007

I made an "impromptu" ground blind and sat in it for a few hours. When I got up to leave there was a big Muley buck bedded in the shade about 20 yards from me. That was the only deer I saw but ... if he was there all along it's probably no wonder I never saw any deer.