Unit 34 Elk

ARHunter

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I have spent quite a few hours reading threads on these forums since deciding to apply for NM tags. I have been impressed with how positive and friendly everyone has been, so I figure this will be a great place to get some feedback now that I will actually be going on a NM hunt.

So, last year I went to visit a family member in NM. While there, we went to visit Cloudcroft. I loved the area and immediately decided we would be putting in for elk tags in that unit. Well, against all odds, one of us drew a rifle tag for 10/19-10/23! I am beyond excited to be part of a hunt, but the fact is that I am really quite clueless when it comes to elk hunting. I have killed a lot of nice whitetails, hogs, and other game while hunting AR, OK, MO and KS, but this will be something completely new for me. I am eager to learn and would love to hear about some strategies and tips I might be able to utilize. Our current plan is a DIY hunt, and we will be staying in the Cloudcroft area.
 
congrats on drawing a great tag. I hunted elk there in 2017 on a muzzleloader hunt. IMO you probably drew one of the best elk tags for a first timer due to the fact there's a lot of public land and elk anywhere you look. Good luck and go buy a lotto ticket.
 
Haha I had no idea how hard the draw was when I made the decision to put in for that unit. Once I found out, it almost psyched me out of applying! Glad I went with my gut!
 
Drew 34 archery for my first ever elk tag. That was about 10 years ago and I've been hooked ever since.
The most important thing I learned that first year was to be more aggressive than like a whitetail hunt.
Never hunted around the cluodcroft area I hunted south of that. Lots of elk all over the unit.


? YOU DON?T FIND WILLPOWER YOU FORGE IT?
 
No doubt you guys pulled a tag in a unit where elk density is better than most.
What type of bull are you looking to kill? The rut hunts in 34 are always really good. Remember there are 6 es hunts that will happen before you guys get your crack. You may luck out and hear a couple bulls pop off ,for the most part this will be a hunt where most time will be spent locating the bulls.
Physical condition is going to play a huge roll. The elk will be scattered,and the bulls and more so the bigger bulls will mostly be in nasty hard to reach country. It's a good tag to have but gonna have to plan on pushing yourselves mentally and physically harder than ever. The elk will be there just go get em!
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-19 AT 07:32PM (MST)[p]Thanks, tjxp! I'll keep that in mind. 99% of hunting I do is with a bow and from a stand that is located over fresh sign or a natural travel corridor. From what I'm gathering, that won't cut it for a rifle elk hunt. Haha this is out of my realm!

BuglemnIn, I'm thinking a 280ish type elk would be a shooter for me. Does that seem reasonable? I originally thought 300, but after additional reading, that might be a bit aggressive. I can push myself pretty hard and am in good shape physically. Any thoughts on the type of terrains and/or elevations I should be focusing on?
 
I've also read some on hunting over water. Is that strategy hunters use in late oct? Or, like was mentioned earlier, will more aggressive tactics be necessary?
 
Lol no joke! My hope is that I can buy some land in the area one day. I have family in Dona Ana County. I can't wait to get back out and do some scouting! I've just got to figure out where to start.
 
Finding a high spot to be at daylight and Lots of glassing at first light! We spotted 8 different bulls in the first hour by 8 am all were bed down and could only pick them up with a spotting scope. Came in from a different angle next morning and connected at first light.
 
The last two youth hunts we have taken two bulls...took my uncles youngest son and helped him get a really nice 5x5 and a year and a half ago my daughter dropped a 4x4 with one shot at 187...elk all over the place but it's not that easy...you need to know where to go and how to hunt them...I use 34 as a practice spot during the archery deer hunt to call in bulls...they always come in :)

212120171008074058.jpg
 
here's the 5x5, he's a dink...

99489fbimg1497744607451.jpg


I have pics of several other bulls I called in while deer hunting...too lazy to post though...good luck...
 
I was in your same position. The only hunting I had really done was tree stand hunting for whitetail. I had 2 Montana mule deer hunts under my belt. Never even seen an elk in a hunting environment until I drew the tag. But I've made it a point to go elk hunting every year since. Most years a couple times. Now trying to talk the wife into retiring somewhere that I can elk hunt. ?

The bull I killed was 285 and every bull I seen was bigger than him. Accept the little rag horns I didn't give a second look. So the unit in my opinion has some really nice bulls in it. I would think 280 is not a bad goal.


? YOU DON?T FIND WILLPOWER YOU FORGE IT?
 
ixsolracxi, thanks for sharing the pics and feedback. I bet your daughter and uncle's son were pumped to walk up on those elk! It looks a lot more open in your pics than some of the areas I saw while in Cloudcroft. Would you advise focusing more on more open areas vs more heavily woods areas?

txjp, any chance you have a pic of that 285?
 
Thanks for the reply, jekennedy! If I can get out there and see eight bulls, it will end being a dream hunt! I'm hoping to get a few days to explore during the summer.
 
Gorgeous! nothing like an elk head against stone with a vaulted ceiling. That's the size I'm really hoping for. With luck, I can figure out where and how to get it done.
 
BUGLEnmIN, from my limited perspective, that looks like an absolute monster! Do you have any clue what an elk like that would score? Surely that would easily make Pope and Young..?

Whether they exist or not, I keep trying to draw parallels to whitetail hunting. For a first timer, I would call a 115 a fine buck. I figure a 280 elk would be similar to a 115 whitetail in terms of average sizes, that's how I came up with my goal.

I'm also seeing a lot of pics taken in what looks like thinned timber. Are those areas hotspots?
 
This isn't from Unit 34, but it is a 265" Bull just so you can get an idea.

Some of the pictures aren't great but will give you and idea of judging.

2716elkkill1.jpg

29527elkkill2.jpg

32243colebull1.jpg

87436colebull2.jpg

22983colebull3.jpg
 
congrats. 34 is a great unit for elk. you should have a blast. they will probably still be bugling a little in the mornings to help you locate. I would look towards the lower elevation in the PJ country and not just limit yourself to the higher elevation stuff around Cloudcroft.
 
>BUGLEnmIN, from my limited perspective, that
>looks like an absolute monster!
> Do you have any
>clue what an elk like
>that would score? Surely that
>would easily make Pope and
>Young..?
>
>Whether they exist or not, I
>keep trying to draw parallels
>to whitetail hunting. For a
>first timer, I would call
>a 115 a fine buck.
> I figure a 280
>elk would be similar to
>a 115 whitetail in terms
>of average sizes, that's how
>I came up with my
>goal.
>
>I'm also seeing a lot of
>pics taken in what looks
>like thinned timber. Are
>those areas hotspots?

He was pushing the 350" mark. Really good bull!
280" bull is very nice for a first bull. Glad your trying to parallel the types of hunting, it's night and day though really. P.m. me if u need help or have questions.
 
BigDaddyL, thanks for the reference pics! With my 280 goal, it ALMOST makes me hope I don't see a 265 right off the bat. He looks beautiful on the wall and would be awfully hard to let walk.

kimbersig, I appreciate the tip. I am open to hunting any area in the zone. I want to be where the elk are, so I won't limit myself to a single area. Now for my ignorant follow-up... What is PJ country?
 
BUGLEnmIN, I really appreciate the PM offer. Once I nail down some areas and put together a tentative scouting plan, I will shoot you a message to see if you think I'm on the right track. Again, I really appreciate it. I realize this might be my only opportunity to hunt 34, and I sure want to make the most of it!
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-19 AT 10:58PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-19 AT 10:57?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-19 AT 10:56?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-19 AT 10:25?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-19 AT 10:24?PM (MST)

I give up. Tried to post you a picture ?‍♂️ If you want to see the bull he is in the 2017 photo gallery posted on nov 17th
 
jekennedy, I found him in the 2017 photo gallery. Awesome bull! You mentioned getting high and glassing. If you don't mind me asking, what type of elevation were you hunting? Seems like the cover is too thick at a lot of the higher elevations to see much. Looks pretty open in your bull pic though.
 
I was hunting in a transition zone where it changed from pines to junipers. Found an area that I could see a long distance in many directions. Patient glassing!! Day one was spent in one spot from dark to dark. Look at a map of the whole unit and find the least amount of roads
 
jekennedy, really appreciate the tip, and I will do that for sure. Time to start researching spotting scopes! I've never head any use for one before. You cant see more than 75yds for 90% of the hunting I do.

Also, kimbersig, earlier in the thread I asked what you were referring with "PJ country". I believe jekennedy has cleared that up!
 
>jekennedy, really appreciate the tip, and
>I will do that for
>sure. Time to start
>researching spotting scopes! I've
>never head any use for
>one before. You cant
>see more than 75yds for
>90% of the hunting I
>do.
>
>Also, kimbersig, earlier in the thread
>I asked what you were
>referring with "PJ country".
>I believe jekennedy has cleared
>that up!


yep. PJ=pinon juniper. vs the ponderosa pine/aspen country.
 
kimbersig, thanks for clarifying!

I think I've read every unit 34 thread on the internet at this point. Seems like most of the juicy info has been kept to PMs, but I have seen a lot of people mention Weed, NM. Does anyone agree that area is a hot spot I will need to check out?
 
Weed NM wouldn't be a bad place to took but honestly you could throw a dart on a map of unit 34 and would have a chance of finding elk. I've seen elk in every corner of 34. Don't waste your time with the really low desert country but anywhere in the mid elevation to high elevation will hold elk. There is a wide variation of elevation in 34. Some areas are as low as 4500 feet above see level. Others are 9500 feet above see level.

If you put in the work, you shouldn't have any trouble killing a 280" bull. The real work will begin after you have it on the ground and have to pack it back to your vehicle. 2 miles "as the crow flies" can take more than 2 hours to hike in elk country for someone that is in good physical shape. A 1 mile hike in elk country is too physically demanding for some hunters.

In general, elk will leave an area if there is too much disturbance from people. Whitetails, will stay in their home range and move to heavy cover or turn more nocturnal if pressured by hunters. Elk general don't have a small home range and will just vacate the area and move (sometimes 5-10 miles) to a place they are less likely to be disturbed.
 
BrianID, I really appreciate the input. I will make sure to keep all of that in mind during my planning and hunting. Over the past week, I've been looking over maps trying to find some seemingly likely spots that are far from the road. I'm surprised how many roads there appears to be in the area. Hopefully, the road hunters will push the elk a bit deeper and I will see a lot of action.

Also, I have started incorporating a lot of stair climbing into my regular workout routine. That said, I won't really know how I will hold up until I get out there this summer and hike to some of the spots. I will also be investing in some new boots and a pack. The Salomon Quest boots and Camelbak Trophy S Pack seem to have good reviews.
 
>good luck and for sure keep
>us all posted. I just
>wish I could be there.
>shopping for a unit 34
>tag if anyone heres of
>one.


Bull tag? I may know of a few . Prices are getting ridiculous though.
 
Hunted 34 early archery last year , as it's been said before there are elk all over that unit. I saw no less than 12 a day. Had elk walk by my tent during the day the day before season opened. If I was rifle hunting I wouldn't look around west side road
 
ARHunter,

Your welcome, my son was 14yrs old at the time and as you can see he was really happy. That was his first Bull and the only one we have managed to get so far.

I wish you the best of luck and let us know how the hunt turns out.
 
jekennedy, I will be reading everything I can find on 34. If I come across any tags, I will be sure to reach out to you.

Jacack, Thanks for the input! I keep hearing how many elk there are in the 34, so I am trying not to get my hopes up too much. I will be planning as though I'll be hard pressed to find any. I'd hate to look back on this opportunity and think I didn't do everything within my power to prep properly, but I'd be flat lying if I said hearing about others great experiences in 34 didn't get my blood going!
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-24-19 AT 11:43AM (MST)[p]My post should of read I would look around west side rd, not wouldn't. If I could afford a landowner tag I would be there again this year.
 
The stair stepper will help, just remember to take it easy due to the altitude difference. Around 3k in AR.
Cloudcroft in town is about 8.7k have fun and post some pics.
 
Damn Bugle that's a good one

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
I'm not sure if a gear update and question warrants a new thread, so I will just continue here. So, with this being my first elk trip, I am having to purchase some new gear. I bought Salomon Quest boots that I am enjoying so far, and I have been looking at spotting scopes. I have had good luck with vortex glass on rifles, so I have been thinking of going with the Diamondback 20-60x80. Does anyone have any options on glass for unit 34, and are there any specific day packs that you guys recommend.
 
I have a 20-60x80mm spotting scope, and while the light gathering capability is incredible, the scope is too big and weighs too much for carrying around in my hunting pack. I recommend a 60 mm objective, and the best you can afford.

I hunt with a relatively small pack to carry 1) Survival/safety gear (snacks, water, first aid, fire kit ect.), 2)Hunting equipment (calls, glass, gps), and 3) Game care/reduction gear (knife, game bags, cord). I can carry a quarter back to the truck with this pack on the first trip, but on subsequent trips I use a pack frame.
 
I would agree with the ol cliche buy the best glass you can afford. I have tried a few over the years and settled on the Swarovski 20x60x65. Easy to pack and easy on your eyes after a long day of glassing. If your looking to spend a little less leupold and vortex makes super light backpacking scopes with a 50 mm lense
 
Reuben_Soady, thanks for sharing what you carry in your pack. I've been curious as to what everyone is toting around.

jekennedy, I was worried a 20-60x might be overkill for 34 in that a lot of the area doesn't look like one can see very far, but it appears a 20-60 is pretty standard. I also like the idea of the angled version rather than straight.
 
Honestly I wouldn't take a spotter to 34. That's just my 2 cents. Good pair of binos should be fine.

I elk hunt with the SJK bounty 2.0. It's more than just a day pack but it shrinks down pretty good and I like being able to get that first load out after a kill. It has a detachable smaller pack that I put all my gear in. When I get to the truck unload the first haul detach the small pack and off we go again. I've used it now for 5 years and have had the pleasure of helping carrying out about 9 elk ( 1 of my own) and have not had a single problem. Wash it out when I get home air dry and ready to go again.

There are tons of good packs out there. I would take a weekend and hit whatever store or stores that are close and put some on. I marked several off my list that way. Didn?t fit right, pockets in wrong place or to small. My daughter and I spent about 3 hours picking her one out.
Side note if you really want to embarrass a 16 year old girl have her put a pack on fill it with tons of crap off the shelves and walk around Cabelas. Good times!




? YOU DON?T FIND WILLPOWER YOU FORGE IT?
 
If ya haven't learned anything by this thread ARHunter you've learned everyone has a different way of approaching hunting. Don?t stress and remember it's all about a good time with friends and family and besides... the ones you miss are the memories you never forget!
Txjp I can't tell ya how many bulls I've found beaded under shade that I couldn't pick up with 10x45 binos but could with my spotter. Everyone is different even their eyes. What works for one doesn't work for all.
 
I agree 100% everyone has there own ways.

No telling how many I have missed lol!

? YOU DON?T FIND WILLPOWER YOU FORGE IT?
 
Alright, guys! I'm headed to NM later this week! I have a tentative plan for the hunt and will try to give some updates between hunts. Hopefully, I won't have to touch back in on the third day asking for advice!
 
GL! I've got a cow tag out there at the end of Nov so hope you find success. Keep the group up to date and if you find yourself struggling give a holler and see if any of the more experienced folks have advice...
Sadly this is my first year there so I'll be watching your thread to see how you make out, lol.
cheers and happy trails!
 
I am becoming convinced there are only one or two people that answer the NM Game and Fish 1-800 number. I have called three times and have never waited less than 50 min. I'm sitting on hold as I type this.

I'm calling to get the scoop on bear tags. Is there a link to see if the unit 34 quota has been reached? If it has not, I plan on getting a tag. Can I pick that up OTC at a NM WM or something similar? Thanks in advance for any responses!
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-15-19 AT 03:41PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the response! Now I have to decide if it's worth buying one and the quota filling before I even get there. From my understanding, you have to buy one several days before hunting.
 
midpoint update:
Been having a great time (I'm not sure most ppl would consider 15 hour days lugging a pack mile after mile would be fun, but I'm having a blast). I'm skeptical on filling my tag right now. When we got here, I saw elk everywhere. Driving around on Friday, I counted 89 elk and about a half dozen were good looking bulls. Hunting hasn't been so simple though. I've seen one bull, but I didn't feel like the shot I had was ethical, so I just watched him go. Other than that, I've seen a few cows. Found a good looking canyon/valley last night with a lot of good sign And I'm headed that way shortly to try and glass one up.

High points:
-saw two nice Muley bucks last night glassing a canyon. One would have been 150ish. Watching him work his way down the canyon was an incredible experience.
- I was hiking up an incredibly steep hill in a some dark timber, and as soon as I crested the top, I was nearly face to face with black bear. We scared the crap out of each other. I'll never forget it. It was one of those moments you wish you could go back and watch from a third persons perspective.
 
That's a great Mid Point hunting report, made me feel like I was tagging along with you, Thanks for the insight into your day to day.
 
Recap:
We did not fill the tag, but we still had a great trip. We saw some beautiful country and met/chatted with several friendly hunting groups. It took us a few days to get comfortable with the different style of hunting, and I fully believe that we would have harvested a nice bull had we hunted the full five days the same way we hunted the last two days. Still, we passed on some small bulls and had a few encounters with mature bulls, but the variables never aligned properly to harvest one of them.

Thanks for all the advice! I'll be lurking around and will be posting again pre-draws to get tips on what all to put in for. Thanks again, guys!
 

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