New Mexico Unit 52

silasd

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LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-17 AT 07:30AM (MST)[p]My wife and I drew archery tags for mule deer in Unit 52, and I'm putting together my scouting plan. Looks like there is lots of good terrain in the NW corner of the unit from San Antonio Mtn over to the Cruces Basin, so we'll probably go up and drive it to look for spots for our camper on our next scouting trip. I was going to hit Cruces first and work East, but I saw some old chats on 52 talking up Mule Canyon in the south - anyone know if that's still a good area? I am wondering if the population decline has thinned that area out. I'm also open to any and all suggestions on my scouting plan. For you elk tags holders, I'll post any info I see once we get started. Thanks all.
 
Mule Canyon, Telephone Canyon, Bighorn Peak, and North side of San Antonio MOUNTAIN Quakers.
Might call Forest Service in Tres Poedras and ask for the game biologist."Sometimes" may be helpful.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
 
Thanks! I was talking to a warden last weekend who gave me a couple of leads, I'll probably call them, too. I'll definitely post our experience here - appreciate the pointers!
 
Toklat - can you orient me on the whereabouts of "Quakers"? Haven't been able to locate it on my maps. Thanks!
Silasd
 
Sorry. Meant quaking aspen groves as that north side of mountain and area is predominantly quaking aspen!
The Capital "Q" in Quakers should have been lower case "Q"!
 
You will see lots of elk... but will hard pressed to even find a buck that time of year, much less stick an arrow in one. But GL anyway.
CC
 
Thanks CC. That's what I'm thinking - very low harvest rate for the unit. I was starting to zero in on the cruces basin, but now I wonder if I ought to look further south, like broke off and beyond to mule canyon. Any thoughts/experience in those areas? Thanks again.
 
Had a Rifle tag there a few years back... hunted just about the whole unit from the top of San Antoino (Be In Good Shape to do this hike) to Cisnerios Park to Mule Canyon. Put 54 miles on my GPS NEVER saw a Buck Track. If I had to do it again I would concentrate on the very northeast part of the unit on the CO border. I saw several very nice Bears an lots of Elk and a few doe but NO Bucks. GL
CC
 
Wow - that's a lot of real estate and show leather. Do you remember which rifle it was? We are going to put most of our effort into the first week of archery, the thought being least amount of pressure. I'll probably invest in a decent spotting scope, too (any recommendations?) and start scouting in July. Thanks for the info on your trip.

S
 
I hunted there for elk years ago 3 times bow 1 Ml, aw very very very few mulies in Southern 1/2. Would not take the tag if it was free, not worth carrying a bow and I love to hunt. Northern end might be better.
 
Hey CC - given the sparsity of game, I'm thinking about bringing some bird heads. Do you remember seeing any grouse/quail while you were up there? Thanks.

SD
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-21-17 AT 08:23AM (MST)[p]In the past, I have heard of some nice deer coming out of the BLM on either side of the Los Pinos River. I've also seen some decent deer in the Bighorn Peak area.

Aside from San Antonio Mountain, I think I'd concentrate on the lower elevations in this unit for deer.
 
Hey thanks, PB - I really appreciate the tips. I'll let you know what we see when we start our scouting. I like the idea of working the Los Pinos BLM land.
 
Hi silasd, post on the NM forum if you haven't already and check with vinihunt. I think that's he's backyard.

Good luck my friend

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
Hey Joe - thanks for the heads up. He has given me some pointers, and I am really grateful for all the help. This is a tough hunt to begin with, and this is a new area for me. I'll post my observations on my scouting trips and hunt days.
 

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