Northern NM Elk rutting timeframe

Hi all,

I have only hunted CO and WY previously. I am looking at a northern NM or western NM hunt for this year.

What are the best times for hunting elk during the rut? I know here in CO Sept 15-25 is kind of the best time for bugling. With NM being further south I would assume the best dates for bugling in NM is a bit later.

I would prefer to hunt with either a muzzleloader or rifle so I am hoping the bugling overlaps with those seasons.

Thanks!

I can tell you with my experience in northern NM. (2016 first rifle and 2017 second rifle) I had no problem finding bugling bulls.
I talked to a lot of folks on both hunts that hadnt even seen an elk let alone heard a bugle.(most were road hunters or didnt venture very far from the road.
You just need to get away from pressure. and find the pockets that hold them.

LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-18 AT 09:02AM (MST)[p]Same as Colorado, which is the same as Wyoming, which is the same as Montana. The rut/breeding happens the same time each year and is based on the length of the daylight in the day. Bugling intensity might vary, but that would probably be more attributable to the mood of the particular elk in an area in any given year. Some of the best bugling I have experienced have been in the evening of god awful hot days. I think the elk were really grumpy on those days and were talking a lot of S!&@ to each other.

In general if you want bugling do the second bow hunt. We have also had good bugling during the second rifle, but that is a crap shoot (second estrus???).

So really I should be looking at hunts that begin around Sept 20th and/or end by around the 10th of October...

I think I might concentrate on an early rifle hunt, although it is looking like MZ might be my best option to hunt during the true rut.




I thought Colorado's seasons were tough to decipher at first, but New Mexico has so many options. WOW

The rut usually is the same time in northern New Mexico every year around September 20th, as for the southern part of the state is all happens about a month later, I strongly recommend every bow Hunter to hunt the Northern part of the state if you want to see the magic of rutting elk! Unit 50 should be at the top of everyone's application! Units 15,all the 16's,17, and even unit 13 are horrible in September! Avoid at all cost!