NM Unit 4 Youth Hunt

[SDBugler]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-07 AT 12:00PM (MST)[p]I have elk hunted in NM once and had a great experience, but don't know much about the deer hunting opportunities in the state. I was hoping someone could help me out with any information on the youth deer hunt in the Unit 4 Humphries / Rio Chama unit. I've been researching this unit but haven't been able to dig up much information. The draw odds for a non-res were almost a guaranteed tag last year even with only 5 total tags. I have two boys 11 and 12 years old and was looking for a good quality area for them to apply.

What is the quality of bucks in this unit?
I see they moved the second hunt back three weeks later this year. Will this help or hurt the hunting?
Are these resident deer or migration deer?


This later hunt would be an easier sell to their mother since the boys would be out of school for Thanksgiving break. Obviously only one would be able to draw a tag since there is only 5 total tags and we are non-residents.

Send me a PM if if you prefer.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Brian Heidbrink (and sons)

 

[NMHUNTNUTT1]

Unit 4 is a great mule deer unit.The Rio Chama area is real good.Its right up against 5B which is a great unit , just very few tags and these units border the Jicarilla Reservation.I think this is very much a top rated hunt , just not as popular as the 2s' or 5B. The Rio Chama is a walk in/ ride horse in type area , all the roads are pretty much closed beyond the camp ground areas, there are two of these places , one along the river and the other is about a mile further down 112 , its the third cattle guard I believe and this camp ground has livestock corrals. Its the third entrance to this area and my favorite. There are some resident deer here , but the snow from the high north also pushes deer down into this sage brush and oak country of the Rio Chama. Its a great unit and don't think you could go wrong with your plans of hunting it if drawn , as well theres alot less hunting pressure here.Very good choice...

 

[NMHUNTNUTT1]

My cousin rides this area every spring shed hunting and a few years ago he found matching sets from a buck that they figured would score in the mid to high 190s'.Last year during Chama Days(local festival) I spoke to one of the State Police officers who is stationed up there and he said that the buck along with another drop tine buck had been seen crossing over from the Spills into the Rio Chama. These same two bucks had been seen over near the Trout Lakes in unit 51 across the road about 15 miles from this area the summer before, so I believe that there has to be quit a few doe being bred from some of these bigger bucks and with the moisture we have had here the last year , 2007 is going to be a great year...

 

[SDBugler]

Thanks for your help and input guys.
Brian

 

[ADAMBOMB606]

I drew this hunt about eight years ago. Passed up some smaller bucks. Never saw any trophies. Seemed like the chama unit had a lot more pressure than the humphries. Didnt see to many deer on the Humphries but a lot of good elk. The rangers in the area told us about some big bucks they had seen crossing the road into the chama unit. But we never saw them. Would be a great hunt for your kids. Fun, not to rough, fairly close to town if needed.