Unit 51 prescribed burns

I was lucky enough to drew the first rifle Bull hunt for Unit 51. It is this coming weekend, I have been scouting since June and know the area really well. I have had trail cameras throughout the unit and been doing my home work for this hunt.
I went out this weekend for the first time since I picked up my cameras which was the first part of September however I was not expecting for the Carson National Forest to be having prescribe burns and also for the dirt tanks in the area I hunt to be completely dry. what I found was two key water sources were dry and there was very little to no grass. In August there was about 40-50 cattle in this area and they didn't leave much beyond, they even feed on the sage. Also saw every little sign of elk and I did not hear any elk bugling or see any thing that would make me think the rut is still on. The few tracks I did find seem to by cows with calf?s and in groups of 4-6. Completely different then what I saw in June, when I counted over a hundred elk with a couple being nice bulls.

Also this week they started to do control burns in the area. I know control burns are good for the habit and fire management but not so good for my hunt as the smoke may have pushed elk out of the area. My question is has anyone noticed the same things in unit 51 in other locations and also in areas like El Rito where they had these control burns in the last couple weeks have the elk moved back to the area?


I see humanity now as one vast plant, needing for its
highest fulfillment only love, the natural blessings of the
great outdoors, and intelligent crossing and selection.
Luther Burbank

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Hey JFB,

I have the same hunt. Grandparents reported the same thing with the prescribed burns. Not really sure what to expect with it, so I'd be curious to find out as well what the elk are doing. I'm hoping it doesn't affect them to much...

If you are not hearing them early and late you are not in the right area , rut is later this year and this weekend should be spot on timing wise . I have noticed less bugling in this unit than others but you should hear them for sure. The rifle and muzzl guys are going to hammer elk this year with the rut being behind

Spot on bobby!

How is your hunt going I've seen elk every day just can't seem to close the deal. Very little bugling and bulls are already alone.


I see humanity now as one vast plant, needing for its
highest fulfillment only love, the natural blessings of the
great outdoors, and intelligent crossing and selection.
Luther Burbank

While scouting in June can be beneficial to learn an area, in general it is not uncommon to find that elk occupy different areas seasonally. Whether that be summer, rut, winter or spring, the herds move based on many, MANY factors.

Prescribed burns are typical in the fall. Once the weather cools down, the forest service isn't so puckered about setting off a controlled burn. Think about it, it might have a marginal effect on your hunt, but the elk are not going to move THAT far away. If the burns were set off in the summer, they could easily get out of control due to heat and low humidity, potentially high winds. If they wait until later in the winter to try and burn, they may not get any kind of a broadcast effect and essentially you have a wasted effort with a lot of money spent on a burn that accomplished nothing.

In the future, I would suggest that you check out the NM fire website, just google "NM fire map". They announce all prescribed and wildfire incidents there.