Unit 53

WestTxHunter

Active Member
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120
I'm taking my youngest daughter on a November cow hunt. I was told the average snow in November is around 6" but plan for anything. I was surprised at how tall the unit was. Talked to a Biologist and she said cows are pretty much everywhere. Any suggestions?
 
I have ONX and have found some really pretty Elk country. All the information I seem to find on the internet is bow hunting bulls. I just hope the snow doesn't completely run us out of the mountains. Looking at staying in Red River
 
I have ONX and have found some really pretty Elk country. All the information I seem to find on the internet is bow hunting bulls. I just hope the snow doesn't completely run us out of the mountains. Looking at staying in Red River
The amount of snow fall will always make some areas inaccessible, but this is not really a problem. As the snow builds up it pushes the elk to lower elevations so that they can easily eat. If I were you I would have a plan that would include hitting higher elevations and another plan to hunt the lower areas should snow get bad. Doesn’t mean that elk start migrating at the sight of snow, but if it gets bad enough than the lower areas will have considerably more elk in there. Talk to the local Game Warden too for some good information. Good luck!
 
The amount of snow fall will always make some areas inaccessible, but this is not really a problem. As the snow builds up it pushes the elk to lower elevations so that they can easily eat. If I were you I would have a plan that would include hitting higher elevations and another plan to hunt the lower areas should snow get bad. Doesn’t mean that elk start migrating at the sight of snow, but if it gets bad enough than the lower areas will have considerably more elk in there. Talk to the local Game Warden too for some good information. Good luck!
The Biologist gave me the names of 2 Game Wardens in the area. She did say deep snow drives them down but to be careful about private. I will be calling them when the hunt gets closer. Hopefully get up to date info.
 
53 is my home unit and for the youth cow hunt, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get up into the high country. There are plenty of cows that will be down in the low country. Look for the private land ranches that got unit wide tags from the state, part of their agreement is that they have to open their ranches up to legal hunters. This info is available on the NMDGF site. The blowdown that occurred two years ago around the Red River area has trashed the unit for hunting, trees stacked high as heck and looks more like a logging area that is inaccessible.
 
You may want to weigh the age of your daughter, her endurance and conditioning, as well as yours. It's not realistic to try to chase elk too high up (10k+ ft) on the cusp of the moving down (to 7-8K ft) if you aren't prepared for success in the steep and deep.

Did you draw or are you buying a LOT? If you're buying you should make sure to cross check the ePlus program registration for the land owner. You may have access to their ranch.

You said you have OnX. I would suggest using that with elevation banding to look at lower lying areas that have public access as well as figuring out exactly how high up you're comfortable going.

Action gets steep quick as you move up onto Wheeler (from any side really). In the end a successful hunt with your daughter is about having a great adventure, staying safe, and having enough fun to hopefully encourage her to want to do it again irrespective of outcome.

Good luck!
 
53 is my home unit and for the youth cow hunt, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get up into the high country. There are plenty of cows that will be down in the low country. Look for the private land ranches that got unit wide tags from the state, part of their agreement is that they have to open their ranches up to legal hunters. This info is available on the NMDGF site. The blowdown that occurred two years ago around the Red River area has trashed the unit for hunting, trees stacked high as heck and looks more like a logging area that is inaccessible.
THIS. Toro's bout summed it up.
 
There are plenty of cows that will be down in the low country. Look for the private land ranches that got unit wide tags from the state, part of their agreement is that they have to open their ranches up to legal hunters. .
I’m impressed with the private ranchers and with the F&G.

I believe agreements like his one are excellent. Who ever negotiated this arrangement is to be commended.

All parties benefit.
 
53 is my home unit and for the youth cow hunt, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get up into the high country. There are plenty of cows that will be down in the low country. Look for the private land ranches that got unit wide tags from the state, part of their agreement is that they have to open their ranches up to legal hunters. This info is available on the NMDGF site. The blowdown that occurred two years ago around the Red River area has trashed the unit for hunting, trees stacked high as heck and looks more like a logging area that is inaccessible.
I appreciate your response. We're trying to buy a LO Unit Wide tag for her. I was told getting one was pretty easy but get me one may not be. She wasn't much of as hunter until 3 years ago she ask to go deer hunting with me. I said that was awesome. She had always enjoyed just going with me. This time she ask if she count hunt. I almost fainted. She's 5 for 5 on deer. This past Christmas she ask for her own rifle. That will make an already proud dad cry.

We missed on all our draws so that's why I went looking for an LO Unit Wide tag for cow elk. I hope to get a tag too but if not I'm going to have an awesome time trying to get her her first elk.
 
You may want to weigh the age of your daughter, her endurance and conditioning, as well as yours. It's not realistic to try to chase elk too high up (10k+ ft) on the cusp of the moving down (to 7-8K ft) if you aren't prepared for success in the steep and deep.

Did you draw or are you buying a LOT? If you're buying you should make sure to cross check the ePlus program registration for the land owner. You may have access to their ranch.

You said you have OnX. I would suggest using that with elevation banding to look at lower lying areas that have public access as well as figuring out exactly how high up you're comfortable going.

Action gets steep quick as you move up onto Wheeler (from any side really). In the end a successful hunt with your daughter is about having a great adventure, staying safe, and having enough fun to hopefully encourage her to want to do it again irrespective of outcome.

Good luck!
She 5'1" tall and 28 years old. She's used to walk at 10,000' with me in Colorado when we would go look around in the summer. Would I be better off staging out of Red River or Questa?

See above post.
 
It depends on the tag you buy. There's ranch only RO and unit wide UW tags. The unit wide tags typically cost more as they give more options to hunt the entire unit plus the rancher has to open his ranch to the public if selling a UW tag.
 
It depends on the tag you buy. There's ranch only RO and unit wide UW tags. The unit wide tags typically cost more as they give more options to hunt the entire unit plus the rancher has to open his ranch to the public if selling a UW tag.
It will be a Unit Wide tag.
 
Good luck I'm from that unit also and the elk have dissappear. Had my son out there in Dec and the elk we finally seen were miles away in the high county that is almost impossible to get to with all the blown over trees. I wouldn't go back even if the tag was free. Lol
 
Good luck I'm from that unit also and the elk have dissappear. Had my son out there in Dec and the elk we finally seen were miles away in the high county that is almost impossible to get to with all the blown over trees. I wouldn't go back even if the tag was free. Lol
That's encouraging.
 
I think the takeaway here is that:

1) You and your daughter are in good enough condition to hit it pretty hard. That's an enormous advantage.

2) These locals are correct it's tough country (I'm not local, but can also vouch first hand). That's only bad or good depending on how well you are able to work in those conditions.

3) The elk are dispersed and have a variety of options to reposition if they don't like the pressure, feed, water, or anything else for that matter so you're going to have to check a bunch of different spots.

You asked about staging out of Red vs. Questa. I'd suggest keeping your camp light, fast, and as mobile as humanly possible.

Try to develop a run-and-gun strategy for maybe 3 different scenarios/areas around the unit at different elevations. I don't think anyone has asked about your general hunting tendencies/elk experience, so I'll say it here so it's not been assumed- get out EARLY. Be actively glassing in the cold at first light from wherever you are, and don't move spots until the mid-day unless it's just obvious that you're screwed by hunting pressure. Make moves mid-day and resume.

I'd try to commit at least 1.5 full days (3 hunts) to trying to rule out each of your topographical areas. Be strategic with your time management and process. Then be patient and keep working through the hunt. Lastly, perhaps above all else, stay positive.

Whenever I evaluate a potential hunting area I'm always looking for 'people separators'; obstacles or elements that will give me an edge if I am willing to work harder. Irrespective of your hunt, the quality of the unit or number of animals, I have found that PMA is the thing very first obstacle that separates the successful from from the unsuccessful.

Good luck on your hunt WestTxHunter!
 
I think the takeaway here is that:

1) You and your daughter are in good enough condition to hit it pretty hard. That's an enormous advantage.

2) These locals are correct it's tough country (I'm not local, but can also vouch first hand). That's only bad or good depending on how well you are able to work in those conditions.

3) The elk are dispersed and have a variety of options to reposition if they don't like the pressure, feed, water, or anything else for that matter so you're going to have to check a bunch of different spots.

You asked about staging out of Red vs. Questa. I'd suggest keeping your camp light, fast, and as mobile as humanly possible.

Try to develop a run-and-gun strategy for maybe 3 different scenarios/areas around the unit at different elevations. I don't think anyone has asked about your general hunting tendencies/elk experience, so I'll say it here so it's not been assumed- get out EARLY. Be actively glassing in the cold at first light from wherever you are, and don't move spots until the mid-day unless it's just obvious that you're screwed by hunting pressure. Make moves mid-day and resume.

I'd try to commit at least 1.5 full days (3 hunts) to trying to rule out each of your topographical areas. Be strategic with your time management and process. Then be patient and keep working through the hunt. Lastly, perhaps above all else, stay positive.

Whenever I evaluate a potential hunting area I'm always looking for 'people separators'; obstacles or elements that will give me an edge if I am willing to work harder. Irrespective of your hunt, the quality of the unit or number of animals, I have found that PMA is the thing very first obstacle that separates the successful from from the unsuccessful.

Good luck on your hunt WestTxHunter!
I appreciate your post. I've hunted Colorado for 15 years for bulls. The one big drawback is I don't think my short legged daughter will be very vertical. Covering reasonably rolling terrain for long distance won't be a problem. I've located high meadows 10,000' plus and lower ground around 8,500'. She's already told me she fine if we don't see an elk. She just wants to be in the outdoors with me. I love daughter.
 
I appreciate your post. I've hunted Colorado for 15 years for bulls. The one big drawback is I don't think my short legged daughter will be very vertical. Covering reasonably rolling terrain for long distance won't be a problem. I've located high meadows 10,000' plus and lower ground around 8,500'. She's already told me she fine if we don't see an elk. She just wants to be in the outdoors with me. I love daughter.
Hey man you're welcome! Your daughter sounds like she has a great attitude and you're already hunting for the right reasons. You'll have an awesome hunt either way and the experience is what it's all about. Enjoy the time together and don't forget about the lower land in the west of the unit... there's a lot of options. Shoot straight and good luck!
 
I really appreciate all the information. We're going to have a ball being out in the outdoors together. I just hope we can make good use of the information y'all have provided.

Once again, thanks for all the information.
 

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