NMPaul
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All of us hunt a unit for a first time at some point. Some of us hunt new units every year. This seems to be a hot topic, so I thought I would start a thread where people could share ideas on how to attack a new unit. Last year my son and I hunted 3 new units. This year we will be hunting at least 4 new units. 2 in NM and 2 in other states, and if we get lucky in the draws possibly more.
First thing I do is buy good maps. My favorite map is USGS, but, it has to be backed up with a current forest map that shows relevant roads. In some states Natgeo makes great maps. I have had mixed results with custom maps. I normally go into a unit with at least 2 maps of the same area. Also, it is a must to have GPS with land ownership for the unit you are hunting.
Once I have the maps, I sit with them and look for areas that are similar to areas I have had success with in other units.
Some guys are really good with Google maps. I am trying to get better, and really used it a bunch finding waterholes in the AZ elk unit I hunted last year.
Next, I request the list of previous tag holders from Huntinfool. This is more helpful than anything else. I call those that have had the tag in the past and talk about their hunt. For me it is not just about where to go, but, where to stay, road status, what weather to expect, do I need to bring a 4 wheeler, expectations etc. I cant imagine anyone not having a membership to either Huntinfool or Epic outdoors just for this reason if nothing else. I hear people say they do not want to spend $100 a year, and they spend 10 times that on other stuff that wont help them nearly as much.
Next schedule a trip to the unit in the summer if you can. Couple it with a fishing trip or shed hunting trip just to learn the area. We did that on one of our out of state hunts last year, and plan on doing it this year also.
Then of course the one everyone freaks out about. Post up about your tag on social media. Quite often you will find someone you know or a friend of a friend that has experience in the unit or may no somebody that they want you to talk to. Every year I help people that need some help on a unit I have hunted here in NM or in other states. Last year Zach and I were in on 12 different elk kills. A couple were with people I had never met until that day. Don?t let other people tell you what is acceptable and what is not. Do what feels right for you.
I am sure some others have some good ideas on how to attack a new unit.
First thing I do is buy good maps. My favorite map is USGS, but, it has to be backed up with a current forest map that shows relevant roads. In some states Natgeo makes great maps. I have had mixed results with custom maps. I normally go into a unit with at least 2 maps of the same area. Also, it is a must to have GPS with land ownership for the unit you are hunting.
Once I have the maps, I sit with them and look for areas that are similar to areas I have had success with in other units.
Some guys are really good with Google maps. I am trying to get better, and really used it a bunch finding waterholes in the AZ elk unit I hunted last year.
Next, I request the list of previous tag holders from Huntinfool. This is more helpful than anything else. I call those that have had the tag in the past and talk about their hunt. For me it is not just about where to go, but, where to stay, road status, what weather to expect, do I need to bring a 4 wheeler, expectations etc. I cant imagine anyone not having a membership to either Huntinfool or Epic outdoors just for this reason if nothing else. I hear people say they do not want to spend $100 a year, and they spend 10 times that on other stuff that wont help them nearly as much.
Next schedule a trip to the unit in the summer if you can. Couple it with a fishing trip or shed hunting trip just to learn the area. We did that on one of our out of state hunts last year, and plan on doing it this year also.
Then of course the one everyone freaks out about. Post up about your tag on social media. Quite often you will find someone you know or a friend of a friend that has experience in the unit or may no somebody that they want you to talk to. Every year I help people that need some help on a unit I have hunted here in NM or in other states. Last year Zach and I were in on 12 different elk kills. A couple were with people I had never met until that day. Don?t let other people tell you what is acceptable and what is not. Do what feels right for you.
I am sure some others have some good ideas on how to attack a new unit.
