NM 16D Hunt Results

[LTrain210]

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their results from any 16d rifle or archery hunts? I finally drew this tag after 6 years and I was wondering what to realistically expect as far as success rate and animal scores. Normally I'm not real picky but after waiting 6 years I'm going to be picky but how picky should I be? Any help would be awesome.

Lance

 

[WapitiBob]

success rates are on the NM web site. They look to be pretty darn good. See the "Elk harverst report".

 

[junior]

I hear this all the time! Forget the numbers! If the animal makes YOU happy then take him. Don't worry about what size animal make everyone else happy.
Also don't think their are 350's behind every tree. You may see some, or you may see none.

 

[crazeymaez]

+1 junior

 

[LTrain210]

So what's the biggest bull you've got out of 16D, and what year did you shot him?

 

[JJPRO]

If the animal gets you going, shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The unit is very good, but don't go in with blinders on thinking that a 400 is in every canyon. Go enjoy the hunt for what it is. If all you want is big antlers you may be disappointed.

 

[leftturnabq]

16D is awesome.

Which hunt?

No, there are not 400" bulls behind every tree, but that goes for anywhere else too. There's no reason why you shouldn't get a shot at a 350+ bull if you really know what you're doing.

Get out of the truck and you'll have a great hunt.

 

[junior]

Biggest I saw was around 380", two 350+, several 300s...came out with a 310"...If you have good dates and the weather is right, you never know what you may or maynot see.

I know a couple guys last year went into 3rd season archery holden out for 350s...They both past 300s and one 340 class up! They both came home with nothing! The both regret it to this day!

 

[LTrain210]

I appreciate you guys trying to help me enjoy this hunt. The fact of the matter is this is a trophy hunt for me. I have been hunting since I was old enough to squeeze the trigger on a .22 and I've waited this long to draw because I would like to shoot a very large elk and I figured this was a good unit in the state for that chance. If I just wanted to shoot another elk, in a beautiful setting, I would use one of my landowner tags and hunt on my ranch in northern NM (which by the way I think is prettier then the Gila, but that's another topic.) When people hunt my ranch I tell them the caliber of bulls I have seen and the caliber of bulls that have been harvested. That is all I was looking for. I thought I would get more honest answers from fellow MM members then I would be calling the outfitters who guide down there. If you have shot an animal in that unit, big or small, I am just interested in hearing about it....it's that simple. I'm not asking for honey holes or secret spots, just numbers. It goes without saying that if I like the bull I've got in the scope I'll pull the trigger.

 

[lchcguide]

My best friend and his dad along with another hunter came out of 16D last year with three bulls. 1-370 class, 2-320 class bulls. That is the only three bulls that they saw and they found them on the last day of the last rifle season.

The saw 40-50 cows everyday and then found a herd of 200 or so on the last day and killed the only three bulls in the herd. North of Collins Park is where the hunted.

 

[junior]

What season are you hunting?
You may get more results in the New Mexico forum. Although I would of thought you would have picked out a bull by now, being as close as you are. Unless you are archery hunting, you still have time to scout.

 

[LTrain210]

Thanks for all the information. I have the first rifle hunt in October. I also have an Oryx hunt the last weekend in September so we're planning a scouting trip around that first week of October becuase I don't want to disturb the bowhunters during their hunt. I hunted 15 on the second muzzleloader hunt last year and we had some very nice bulls. I imagine the quality is probably similar to 15 but can't wait to get down there. I'll be happy to share any pics or help I can give after my hunt.

 

[RabidRattleSnake1]

You should see bulls up to 350" here and there. Past that it gets tough, but there are some bigger in the unit. I remember seeing Lefttrun miss a really big bull(380"?). All the same I wouldn't pass up any 320" bull in 16D.

 

[JJPRO]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-04-08 AT 03:20PM (MST)[p]I may have sounded harsh in my last post and if you took it that way I apologize. To me, 16D is the premier unit this state has to offer.Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with 15 or the other 16s but D seems to have what the others are missing.I personally have taken two bulls out of the unit.I have helped in the harvest of several others. The biggest a 396. Last year I danced with a 380 bull on three different days with no avail. They are there, you just need to put your boots on the ground and find a spot that no one else is. As far as spots, elk are everywhere in the unit. There is'nt a truly bad spot.Most of the unit is semi open. Use your binos alot! If you use them diligently you will find elk. If you need some help, let me know and I'll do what I can. My cell is 575.799.6321. Good luck

 

[BigRacks]

JJPRO
Check your PM box

 

[JJPRO]

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