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I have been on a handful of hunts around 34 and seen bears on about half of them without particularly seeking them out, but I have not seen any of the beautiful color phase bears I've heard are around. Someone feel free to correct me if wrong, but I've been told you need to get one early in...

I appreciate the humor here, and I'll also say I appreciated getting some feedback and encouragement on these forums when I came fishing for info for my first NM hunt several years ago. In fact, I wish I could draw a good tag again which would inevitably lead to fishing for more info ?

I don't have anything to offer on this other than congrats and that I've heard it's a fun hunt. I hope to participate in it myself at some point.

I had a family member draw 3rd choice deer, but other than that, nothin...

Mule deer would have been my first choice, but if there is no path to that, I'll take what I can get. I'll be black bear hunting in NM shortly before I plan to go to CO, so maybe I'll grab an elk tag. Then over to KS whitetail. Gonna be a busy fall! I always appreciate the feedback I get on...

Yeah, my lack of knowledge on the Colorado draw system, and what seems to be little info out there on 2020 second draw has made it all a bit confusing for me. What species might have some OTC tags around Aspen? That is where we would be spending the visit, but I'd likely plan on camping...

I have a good friend that lives in Denver and his girlfriend lives in Aspen. They have wanted me to come visit for a while, and I would sure like to double the visit up with some hunting. I wouldn't be expecting to bag a trophy by any means. Seeing some game and experiencing the country would...

Reds for me, but a family member got a muley tag. So I'll still be making the trip.

Haha I had not considered that, RoughCountry. But it is pretty funny!

so here is where I'm at... I would love some input if it looks like I'm going about this wrong. Elk: 1st choice - 34 archery 2nd choice - 34 muzzleloader 3rd choice - 34 rifle Antelope: 1st choice - 32 earliest date 2nd choice - 32 mid-date 3rd choice - 32 last date Mule Deer: Only entry...

I had not thought of that but will definitely search the forums for OTC barb info. I wonder how feasible harvesting one might be.

Thanks for the input, guys! My family member in nm will also be putting in. For me, it's not all about pulling the trigger. If they draw, I will be there for their hunt helping however I can (probably packing out their harvest) and cheering them on, so that will be a win too.

It does stand for Arkansas. And yeah, figuring out a new area can be tough. I have some family in the 34 area though, and I will be down there visiting some this summer. Depending on what/if I draw. I will do map planning and allocate a few days to scouting while in nm. I elk hunted 34 last...

With the application due date approaching, I decided it is time to ask what some good options are around the 34 area. Obviously, I can't imagine our crew will be lucky enough to draw 34 elk again, so I am wondering what else we can apply for in the vicinity. I've heard antelope around Roswell...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Thanks for sharing! My first elk hunt will be next week for the 34 rifle season. Reading this got me fired up!

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!

Congrats! I'm glad you were able to get a tag figured out!

We are quickly moving into the time of year I start putting trail cams out in AR. There are places I hunt in-state that I don't mind leaving cameras up. Someone might pull the card, but theft is rare. There are other places I hunt around AR that I know would result in stolen cam within days...

I will be out there some this summer scouting for an elk hunt. I'll be sure to update this thread with any bear info/news I discover. Good luck!

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...

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...

Hate that for the animal and the hunter. I've lost a few whitetail over the years. It can absolutely ruin a season.

I will be in 34 for several days this summer scouting for an elk hunt. I will be sure to let you know if I see anything that might be helpful.

Nice! Nothing like successful hunting with family!

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...

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...

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?

I didn't necessarily think you were. I was just pointing out that I fit the majority of the newbie mold and was trying to make a contribution to the conversation. Even though I stick with DIY hunts, I'm rarely doing things all by myself. The most successful hunting trips I've participated...

LAST EDITED ON Apr-20-19 AT 06:14PM (MST)[p]swampokie, I fit into your description almost to a T. I managed to be involved in a great draw the first year I applied, and I have only been to NM once. I'm not real well traveled. In fact, going to NM to visit family that moved there recently was...

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...

Good post and worthy of discussion! I will jump in and offer my perspective as an individual who has recently signed up and asked for help. I love all things outdoors. If you ask my wife, I spend way too much time in the woods and not enough time at the house. That said, with the way most jobs...

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...

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...

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...

Congrats on the tag. I will be up there to do some scouting/planning during the summer and again in late October elk hunting. I'll make sure to pass along info on any sign and/or encounters I have.

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...