2b realistic expectations?

ss13 · Apr 22, 2018

Hi guys. I ended up unexpectedly drawing a 2b early mule deer tag, with hunt dates of October 20-24th. I have never been to New Mexico, but most likely will take a scouting trip before the season.

I've scoured the internet and YouTube looking for information and people?s experiences vary a lot. Some guys only seeing/ shooting fork horns and some guys seeing large numbers of deer and holding out for a big one.

So here?s my question. For guys that live or have hunted the unit before, what are realistic expectations for deer number and antler size? What should I expect for the overall quality of the hunt?

Thanks in advance!

BUGLEnmIN · Apr 22, 2018

P.m. sent

cosmic_cowboy · Apr 22, 2018

Its not what it once was... BUT there some hogs in there hope for weather and be patient... take chains for all four wheels...
Jack

ss13 · Apr 23, 2018

I'm going to bump this to the top. I heard that the moisture in this unit was better last year. Is this true? Also, how was the moisture through winter and so far this spring?

cosmic_cowboy · Apr 23, 2018

What Moisture ? Lowest snow pack in recorded history this winter. Hope it rains or going to be a very bad fire season.
Jack

kimbersig · Apr 23, 2018

You will have zero migration at that time. You will
Have to focus on resident deer. Google earth scout it to find good areas to glass for the smart resident bucks and you can find decent. Doubt if you will find much over 160?. It's definitely not the unit it once was.

Bowdeadly · Apr 24, 2018

I have a question, how do you unexpectedly draw a tag? Did you not put it in as a choice on your application or Did the game and fish just give you a tag for the heck of it.

ORIONTHEHUNTER · Apr 24, 2018

That is the hardest time of year to kill a big buck, especially in that unit and especially with the hot and dry weather we have been having the last few Octobers.

BigChiefJ · Apr 25, 2018

I've hunted that date twice and had fun. In 2006 the migration had started and we saw 50+ deer daily. In 2015 it was warmer, and we saw maybe 10 deer per day. We only shot small bucks, but both times were very easy hunts.

ss13 · Apr 27, 2018

Follow up question regarding sleeping. I have a floor less tent. Should I be worried about snakes, scorpions or spiders towards the end of October? Don?t really want a rattler cozying up next to me at night....

Gator · Apr 27, 2018

You should be fine Snakes don't like Cat litter.
I would hunt the waterholes that border the REZ east side and the closed gates area's by riding a Mtn bike in or walk in if it rains much.
The lake should be scouted from places that you can see alot of shoreline.
My friends did a boat one time to much rocking to glass well so they just found area's to park and glass from shore.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
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