13/16E Elk Action?

Hunt4more · Sep 5, 2018

Cruzin down the highway headed for Datil NM, hunting tomorrow. What's the talk like and elk rutting action? Follow up question has it been wet lately? Was out two weeks ago setting blinds and cameras and the tanks were full then. Moon phase should be good and I know it's early, but the next week usually gets good.

tomvern85 · Sep 5, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Sep-05-18 AT 07:52PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-05-18 AT 07:52?PM (MST)

They are making noise but depends on where you are at. They are all cowed up though. Been in elk everyday. And had a lot of close encounters and one missed connection. But right now the hunting is great. In unit 13. Lots of rain.

Hunt4more · Sep 5, 2018

Thanks Tom... We will be boots on the ground tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait to hear the first bugle of the season and start getting in on the action.

tomvern85 · Sep 5, 2018

Nice! Best of luck!

elkbow8 · Sep 6, 2018

Just got back from 16A not one bugle but plenty of Elk. Had several opportunities. One big bull. Water everywhere. Good luck!!

380bull · Sep 6, 2018

Heading down in a few days as well, the few guys I know in 13 are saying it has been very quiet and the Bulls are not with the cows yet. Still seeing many Bulls in groups and solo, which can be awesome to kill a stud. It is so variable though it all depends on the area, but I am sure there are areas that they are all worked up and bugling hard! Good luck to all the elk hunters that are blessed to be out in the woods!

Hunt4more · Sep 6, 2018

Yes, sounds about right for this time of year. A lot. Greener than last year though and more water in tanks. Just turned south out of Gallup, it's on.

mozey · Sep 6, 2018

16e is pretty quiet still. Seeing lots of smaller bulls but not many showing interest in the cows yet. I was able to sneak in on a herd of 14 bulls in an all out brawl on Monday night, the biggest two were just 5x5s so I backed off. Was still really cool to see. I glassed one monster on Tuesday, that at distance looked like he might still be in velvet. He's got all of my attention the rest of this week. I'm currently sitting on the spot where he was when I last saw him...

Hunt4more · Sep 6, 2018

I would be too. Good luck.

Hunt4more · Sep 6, 2018

16e in two hours.

muliefanatic · Sep 6, 2018

good luck guys I am heading out in the morning to 13.

muliefanatic

Bowdeadly · Sep 6, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Sep-06-18 AT 03:36PM (MST)[p] Down in unit 34 last weekend was a cluster fk. About 100 Texas plates with side by sides flying up and down that mountain. It was my 1st time there on deer hunt. We did manage to run into some elk. 3 bulls together and zero talking. Rained pretty good. Very nice country in there but next time I'll skip the opening holiday weekend and go hunt once the Texans go back home.

mozey · Sep 6, 2018

If not too late: mosquitoes are getting brutal the last couple evenings. All the recent rain does have some bad side effects. Biting me through my gloves, etc. Thank goodness my facemask can double as a mosquito net...

Hunt4more · Sep 6, 2018

Got in tight on two sparing 5x?s sub 40 - awesome encounter.

Had a bull bugle back tonight, twice. But the wind with the rain was brutal, swirling every direction.

It's gonna get good!

Elkextreme · Sep 7, 2018

I have a cow tag in 13 1st week of December hopefully I can tag out.

Servehim · Sep 7, 2018

Just spent a few days in 16a and very quite. Spotted numerous bachelor groups of bulls at distance , a couple of large groups of cows with 1 decent bull......it will heat up soon .

264mag · Sep 7, 2018

>Got in tight on two sparing
>5x?s sub 40 - awesome
>encounter.
>
>Had a bull bugle back tonight,
>twice. But the wind
>with the rain was brutal,
>swirling every direction.
>
>It's gonna get good!

Good luck on your hunt !

Hunt4more · Sep 10, 2018

Bulls seem to talk in the morning but are quiet in the evening, at least where we are. The bulls are not heated up so it's been a challenge with calling. Spot and stalk seems to be the best approach and has granted us two opportunities under 40 yards. The last 5 days are typically the best.

mozey · Sep 11, 2018

I've had to be at work this week, but will be driving back down late Thursday night for one more try on Friday. If you're able, please keep us posted on what the bulls are doing--it may help me decide my plan of attack...