NM Unit 36

[PABowhunter]

I accidentaly drew a NM Unit 36 non-resident muzzleloader Bull Elk permit. It is only a 5 day season (Oct 1-5). I've never been to New Mexico and have not been able to decide on what area of this unit I should concentrate on. I've decided to fly in next Thursday (9-1-05), rent a 4x4 SUV and scout for 5 days. I've ordered my topo maps, got myself into the best shape of my life and have decided to try my first unguided and solo backpacking hunt.

Sure would like to talk to somone that has hunted this unit before I head out to scout. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'll probaly never hunt this area again or know anyone that will and I'm most certainly not looking to invade or disclose anyones secret hot spot.

Feal free to email me directly if you prefer.
[email protected]

 

[Wailing4Wapiti]

Please tell me you are kidding about drawing this tag "accidentally." Of all the tags in NM that would be one of my first choices. Probably your best chance to kill a trophy is on that hunt. The bulls are always still vocal and there are some mosters.

Lots of good areas to choose from. Being that you've never been there before, I would probably reccomend focusing on the Nogal Peak area. Access is good and you can get away from the roads into the wilderness. Hike over the top into the backside canyons and you will definitely hear bugles and can chase them wherever they are.

Same thing is true coming from behind Bonita Lake. You better be in shape as it is some steep stuff, but man is it a great hunt.

 

[wesmd]

Congrats on drawing one of the best units in New Mexico. Some people wait years to draw your hunt. There are elk all over this unit and they will be rutting like crazy. I would recommend the ski area, its hard to get to but there are some super bulls up there also the nogal area could hold a few nice ones.

 

[PABowhunter]

By accidental I mean that I thought I was canceled out of the draw for this unit. A good freind of mine talked me into putting in for a muzzleloader permit for this unit. I won a 50 caliber Tompson Center Omega around that time so I agreed to give it a try. We put in for the tags togeter and he had to pull out at the last minute because he drew an UT archery bull tag for the Fish Lakes region. To my great surprise my tag was left in the drawing. I've bowhunted trophy bulls in Utah and Montana, but was unsuccessful on both attempts.

So glad to hear that you have such a high opinion of this area. Sure would like to see some big bulls like the ones I saw last year in Utah.

Thank you for the tip on areas to check out. I'll take a look at tham next weekend. This will be a good test to see if I am physically ready. I keep hearing obout the steep terrain. The hills hear in Pennsylvania are not comparable.

Cant wait until my detailed topos arrive tomorrow. I'll order one for Nogal peak area. Looking back I sould have ordered the CD from Delorme. I would have been cheaper and more usefull than ordering al the maps from maps from the Mytopo website.

Thanks again,

Bill

 

[PABowhunter]

Thanks.

I'll check out the ski are next Sunday.

I never thought I would get so many valable tips from this posting. This is another area I never would have thought to look at.

 

[huntsonora]

Thats awesome, I have a Unit 34 muzzleloader tag, I hope there are a few good ones out there as well. My hunt starts Oct. 1, I hope you smack a HOG on your hunt.

Drum

 

[rockn9858]

it is good that you drew and all but why would we go on the first day of archery to scout. I do not believe that any hunter out there would like archers out scouting on there hunts.

 

[hunt1]

Save your money on the 4x4 SUV...you'll just be hiking. (The roads into the wilderness are good.) Was up there last weekend and the elk are everywhere from the low to high country. Also, the elk will be bugling the entire muzzleloader season, so if you don't kill one you are required to never hunt again.

 

[PABowhunter]

Originally I planned to go out a week before my hunt and scout, but my work schedule will not allow for it. I hate to booger up anybodys archery hunt, but I can't feel like I am going into the first day of the season unprepared. I figure there is alot of area and I would back off of areas where I see people hunting or hear them calling. I also do not plan on doing any calling and messing around with the bulls to educate them more than the already are. I'll primarily be glassing and trying to be a little intrusive as posible.

 

[rockn9858]

If your going to do it? that would be the best. In my personal experience, I have had hunts ruined by other hunters scouting for there hunt on my hunt and thought to myself that is messed up. Some people just lookout for themselves. It is good to know that you are thinking of other hunters and not going in just to look around. I have confidence that you will do the right things when the time comes. Good luck to you and hope your hunting dreams are fulfilled.

 

[rost495]

I'm tired of all the *%)(& about scouting. I've had more hunts ruined by other hunters in the same season trying to get on the same animal I'm on. EVEN if they see me. Its one reason I'm moving my stomping grounds from 34 to 36. Less chance of the half milers screwing you up. At least I can get away from the roads decently in 36(though I had a 180 class deer only a half mile from the road last year, only a day too early and another HUNTER bumped into him the next day while simply trying to cover as much country as possible to find the elk)

I've never had a hunt ruined by someone else scouting for later on. These folks that scout early are a notch above the average joe and don't want to spook the elk for later either.

They are simply out to get the feel of the land and get high and do glassing and watching and listening.

PA I'll be there a day before MZ season just to hike and scout the area in case I ever draw a tag. I won't be bothering anyone or the elk either. Just like you. I've heard Nogal more than once, and the ski area more than once. Best of luck and don't let the %)(&*)s get ya down.

 

[Randy]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-28-05 AT 08:29PM (MST)[p]PAbowhunter, I sent you an e-mail @ [email protected]. Let me know if you got it? Randy

 

[PABowhunter]

Randy,

I got your email and sent you a response this morning. Hopefully talk to you soon.


Rost492,

I'll be driving in from Pennsylvania when I go out to hunt. and plan on arriving on the afternoon of the 29th. If your out scouting and you see a gray Dodge 2500 series pickup with a cap roof rackand PA plate it is mine. Who knows maybe I we will bump into each other.

Anyone,
I noticed that there is no requirement for wearing blaze orange during the muzzleloader season. Do most hunter where safety orange anyway? Will fellow hunters think I am an inconsiderate %)*&(^ if I chose not to were any orange? I have a call into one of the fish and game conservation officers from the area, but have not received a call back.

 

[highdrive]

Youre darn right 36 is a good unit Ive hunted it a couple of times its a tough hard hunt you have got to be in top shape because there is no easy going in that unit that I know of. I would go to the top of the White Mts. wilderness and set up a camp, the Apachie ski area is up there in that area.In some areas you'll be at about 10,000 to 12,000 feet' long steep mountains and thin air. If you leave Ruidosa and go to the Argentine trail head there is a camp site there at the bottom, before you get to the trail head there is an old homestead there you drive through, there name is Runnels, I would stop and talk to them about packin you in or packin your elk out because it is that tough of a place. Myself I wouldn't want to be in there with out horses or a mule. Iv'e seen some huge bulls in there but if your on top of one of those steep mountains and you go after a bull and kill him in the bottom of one of those canyons without horses/mules I really don't know how you would ever get it out it's that nasty!!! But man there are some monsters livin in there....Good Luck..ps thats my experiance in 36 if there are easy places to hunt there I don't know of them but there might be ??