Unit 16B New Mexico

[huntingfri2]

Have a Oct 9-13 elk tag.Would like to hear from anyone that has some knowledge of the area. If anyone has heard how the archery season went. We have done some scouting did see some elk early.Would be grateful for any help.
Thanks Bob

 

[bullwidgeon]

I have three buddies who hunted 16E on the archery hunt and got a 290" 6x6 a 300" 6x6 and a 350" 6x6. They said they didn't start bugling till the last three days of the hunt. In fact they didnt see more than handful of elk till the last three days. They indicated they were hunting up in the highest elevation they could find, they didn't tell me anything other than that.

Bret M.

 

[crazyaboutcoues]

I had two clients hunt the first and second archery hunt. If your planning on hunting the Northern part of the unit you better be ready to walk about five miles in. The Elk have been pushed pretty hard. I would try the southern half.

 

[operation400]

We hunted 16B on the 2nd archery hunt and did very well. I got a 6x5(300P&Y), one buddy got a small 5x5 and his son got a monster 6x7(360P&Y). The bulls weren't rutting very hard, so you'll probably hit the tail end of the rut, with the bulls bugling well. We hunted the first rifle hunt last year and the year before, and had the elk screaming their heads off. It should be a fun hunt.

Where have you been scouting?

 

[NMHntr]

16B is a big unit and can be a challange to hunt. Have you ever hunted it before? I hope you have horses, or some means of packing an elk out other than a 4-wheeler.
There was a lot of pressure in there during the archery hunts. G&F issued 250 either sex and 75 antlerless tags on the first hunt alone. I would re-iterate what crazyaboutcoues said "be ready to walk about five miles in"

I would suggest checking into the Snow Lake, and Christie tanks area. Both have been good for me in the past.

 

[NexToLast]

I hunted the first season in 16B. Shot a small 6pt 12 miles in, scored about 300". Hunting was far from good, elk didn't bugle much the first ten days. Hunters on horseback were riding all the ridges in the area I hunted. Made the elk pretty tight lipped, and pushed them several miles further in and beyond my reach. Tough hunt this year, but was still a blast.

Opp400,
Good to hear someone had a good hunt. How far in did yor party hunt? Were you guided or self guided? Post some picts of your elk and congratulations on your bulls.