NM Unit 45 deer

[shooter50gill]

A group of friends and I drew tags for the second rifle mule deer hunt in unit 45. Does anybody have any tips or suggestions on where to start? We plan on being somewhat picky and are not afraid to hike. We're from Missouri and have never been to the area.

 

[shooter50gill]

If anybody knows any areas that are good to drop camp or maybe set up a camper, info would be appreciated. Are there any camp grounds in the area or do most set up where they find spots they like?

 

[muleywhisperer]

Do you hike often in Missouri at 10,000 feet? I've got to be honest the second rifle hunt can be real tough. I've posted info on other messages with what could be valuable info for this unit. The biggest bucks in this unit reside next to museum hill just out side Santa Fe. Mostly private so that isn't too helpful. However, there are allot of deer that border the city limits towards Hyde park. Definitely less hunting pressure than say grass or elk mountain in this area and might be worth taking a look at. Hopefully someone who has hunted above Aspen meadows could name you a trail head to go in through. The key is to get about 1-3 miles away from the roads and do some early season scouting so that you can appreciate both the terrain and the elevation. Again not all easy hunt by any means but, does hold some good deer if you work hard enough!

 

[shooter50gill]

Ha no not quite that high in Missouri...more like 900 ft. I have done some high mountain fly fishing in Colorado and Wyoming though so I'm familiar with how the elevation affects me. Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I'm looking for. When you say the second hunt can be tough, what factors play into that? Weather or pressure from the first hunt? Please elaborate

 

[muleywhisperer]

Alright the factors, bear season opens in August with any legal weapon. One deer I babysat since March was poached during that hunt. I have found fresh gut piles and hide from deer poached during that bear hunt several times. Then comes 22 days of archery season followed by muzzleloader season then there is then there is the first rifle season also mixed in are all the elk hunts. Plus all the " small game " hunters. Sure all the above holds true for most units on the state but, limited roads puts a ton of pressure on the game pushing them deep where most people won't put in the work for a deer. If your lucky and we do get weather that could be enough to change conditions in your favor but in general any second season hunt can be tough.

 

[athlonopticsguy]

I drew the first muzzleloader hunt in late September.. I'd be happy to pass on some info after my hunt is over.. Don't know much about the unit as of yet..

 

[shooter50gill]

>I drew the first muzzleloader hunt
>in late September.. I'd be
>happy to pass on some
>info after my hunt is
>over.. Don't know much
>about the unit as of
>yet..


Absolutely! Any information you can pass on would be appreciated.

 

[Nmangler87]

I have the first rifle hunt. Being a New Mexico resident, I will start scouting in July. I'm curious if anyone knows when the deer start moving down from the summer range.

 

[athlonopticsguy]

I was in 45 last week for a few hours of scouting.. Beautiful country.. Rugged. Tough. Thin air. got to about 9000 feet and could definitely feel it in the lungs. No deer spotted but plenty of sign. Also it is a huge unit, so there should be plenty of space for all!

 

[BUGLEnmIN]

There are big deer in 45. Best bet is to get a drop camp done especially being from Missouri. 2nd rifle hunts for any species are the hardest hunts here in n.m. very difficult hunt. The deer that ok e up high will stay up high til the begin of January if the snow hits .

 

[athlonopticsguy]

I wish I knew how to load pictures on here.. I have some beautiful stuff on my phone from 45 from the past week of scouting..

 

[shooter50gill]

That'd be awesome to check out some pics.

 

[Shipwreck]

I drew a first rifle deer tag in this unit, I'm from out of state as well but managed to find time last week to do some scouting in the unit, it is a big unit so I tried to disperse my time to see more of it. I am going the way of a drop camp and hoping that's the right decision. I looked into pecks baldy but seems to be frequently traveled? I'm not sure... I've heard some advice hear and there but I was hoping to get a better idea of where to go from this forum, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pilot048]

Don't know the area but good luck on your hunt.

 

[shooter50gill]

How did the September hunt turn out? I'm interested to hear any information you or anybody else can pass on. Anybody else with any recent info to pass on is also welcomed.

 

[BUGLEnmIN]

Let me know if anybody needs a drop camp. Big bucks up high.

 

[shooter50gill]

How do you work your drop camp? Might be something my group is interested in