I haven't hunted since I lived in Idaho back in 2002. We moved to New Mexico at the start of the pandemic and I put in for deer and elk. Found out this week I drew both tags! I am not out to get a big deer or elk. For me to continue hunting in future years I need to bring home tasty meat that my wife will agree to eat year after year.
My deer is for Unit 38. My oldest is only 7 but we are excited to get out scouting in the next few weeks.
I am not here to ask "where do I go?" - I can read a map and do my research on water and habitat, etc. What I'd really like to know is where to avoid. 38 is a big unit and they gave out 125 tags, but there is only one large chunk of National Forest - The Cibola. I am guessing that no matter how nice it looks prior to season start, it is going to be mobbed with hunters on opening day. Of course if I am wrong, it would be nice to be hunting a larger area.
Having never hunted in NM, there's a few things I don't know. How many 'hunters' out there just drive the roads? How far from the road do I need to get to be alone? I will be looking at isolated pockets of BLM and State Trust land that have water, food, and cover, but are hopefully small enough other folks won't bother with them.
Any other advice would be welcome. Thanks!
My deer is for Unit 38. My oldest is only 7 but we are excited to get out scouting in the next few weeks.
I am not here to ask "where do I go?" - I can read a map and do my research on water and habitat, etc. What I'd really like to know is where to avoid. 38 is a big unit and they gave out 125 tags, but there is only one large chunk of National Forest - The Cibola. I am guessing that no matter how nice it looks prior to season start, it is going to be mobbed with hunters on opening day. Of course if I am wrong, it would be nice to be hunting a larger area.
Having never hunted in NM, there's a few things I don't know. How many 'hunters' out there just drive the roads? How far from the road do I need to get to be alone? I will be looking at isolated pockets of BLM and State Trust land that have water, food, and cover, but are hopefully small enough other folks won't bother with them.
Any other advice would be welcome. Thanks!