unit 17 muzzy elk

adirondack · May 25, 2015

My son drew his first elk tag this year. He is very excited, he drew the youth tag in 17. It looks like it has been a good spring so far in almost all of New Mexico. He has asked me about elk numbers and quality. I have never hunted in 17, but have hunted New Mexico 3 or 4 times. Any help to keep his excitement level topped out would be great. What would a good bull in this unit score? How about top end in this unit? Does it have high scoreing bulls? Thanks, Rob

BUGLEnmIN · May 26, 2015

Your son drew a fantastic hunt. First muzzy? There are some real crushers in there, just gotta put the miles on the boots buddy.

efnm · May 26, 2015

LAST EDITED ON May-26-15 AT 12:45PM (MST)[p]I echo that, it is rough.

I'm not a horn porn guy so I've never learned what a 360 vs a 320 is, but here's a crappy handheld pic I took through a spotting scope of 2 bulls during the December cow hunt. All of sudden that orange blob, left of center, and what I thought was a dead tree, got up and started feeding. I couldn't believe how huge it was and a local acquaintance there began to squeal that it was a 7x7 and the biggest he's ever seen in 17.

mozey · May 26, 2015

All I'll say is the top end for this unit equals at or near the top of the record books--but don't expect those kind to come strolling through your camp. When I had this tag I passed on a couple 6x6s inside of 25 yards because I knew what else was out there. I ended up eating tag soup, but have no regrets...

adirondack · May 26, 2015

You fellas put a big smile on his face! He knows that hunting is just that, hunting. If he finds a good one so much the better for him. He was very pleased to hear it from some others about how good a tag he has. He drew the youth muzzy which is before the adults get a crack at them, and only a handfull of tags. Has all the rain helped this unit also? Thanks, rob

muleybeast · May 26, 2015

The only unit we put in for for elk is 17 because we know what's in there. We have killed 4 elk over 360 in there on muzzy and bow hunts. The last hunt my brother killed a 360 and that's with one antler broken off last two points. Great hunt.

efnm · May 27, 2015

> Has all the rain
>helped this unit also? Thanks,
>rob

Yep, I was just admiring how much the foothills around the San Mateos have already greened up from what I can tell viewing from highway 60 this morning. I don't think it's muddy or all of the tanks are filled. But the forest and grasslands are pretty happy for sure and it is MUCH better than the last few springs.

Don_K · May 27, 2015

Your going to ruin him...........

I have been in 17 numerous times, and once when my son drew the youth tag. The youth hunt falls right during the rut and we ended up chasing a monster for the 5 days and where into screaming bulls 4 out of the 5 days.

The youth hunt is a perfect time, lower pressure, and rutting elk.

Great hunt, lots of fun, and lots of memories.

adirondack · May 27, 2015

Thanks guys! The boy is awe struck. You guys are echoing what I have been telling him. He is very calm and a good shot so I hope everything comes together for him. He is really pumped to have this tag, and a good moisture year to boot. He also drew a deer tag, he was very depressed when we found out he had the deer tag as he told me he was really hopeing for an elk tag. So he really got excited when he found out he drew an elk tag as well.

billc · May 29, 2015

That is the best tag in the whole state if you ask me. With the way the year is looking anything for 375 up to 400 could happen in there. Better have some good 15x bino or a spotting scope if you want to hunt for the big bulls. I put my son in for all 3 choices 17 hunts but he did not draw. He did get a 17 youth deer tag though. If it was me and you have the ways to do it I would get a guide who knows that unit well. Your son has a special tag and worth it to do everything you can to use it well.

It is a rough steep unit though but glassing can stop a lot of wasted trips on small bulls.t is a unit that does not have the numbers of elk but great quality. He better start practicing being able to shoot on to 300yds with that muzzy as not all the shoot are 100 yds. The youth hunt is later this year and some of the big bulls will be alone and off the cows by the hunt but you can glass them up and get on them.

Good look to you and your son

adirondack · May 29, 2015

Thanks men for the post. I knew the unit was very good but you guys have made my son realize what he has. This will help motivate him to practice his shooting and keep him focused. So it sound like you guys think 17 is getting above average moisture this year? We have been tracking it from here it appears to have gotten a good amount of rain the last couple weeks. But nice to have it confirmed by others. Thanks again as these post have helpped him belive what I have told him. Rob

adirondack · Jun 8, 2015

Billc, not that you would need our help but if we see any good bucks I will let you know. I have awesome pair of 15's and love to glass. What class of bull would you have your son shoot at on the first day? We will try to get there before the opener and see what we can find. Rob

billc · Jun 9, 2015

Any deer info is good info. thanks

With the pictures my friend is sending me of elk in his unit I would not even think about anything under a 350 type bull in 17. He is in unit that is not known as a trophy unit and has a few bulls already in the 330 to 350 range.I would look for a guy to fly the unit if your not able to get a guide and want to hunt alone. There is a guy in magdelana that flys it and worth the 400 to 500 to do so. This is going to be a great year to have a tag in that unit for sure.

muleybeast · Jun 10, 2015

I say that if you see a 320 on day 1 take it. The bulls move a lot searching for hot cows and you could be in elk one day and a host town the next five days.

adirondack · Jun 11, 2015

My son likes the sound of 350 better than 320. But that is exactly what we where looking for, a few different opinions. I am pretty sure he will be shooting at the first nice bull that he gets a good shot at. He is just happy that it looks to be a very good year to have a tag there. Thanks

Elkchaser4570 · Jun 13, 2015

My son had the tag in 2014. Great area, and a truly memorable hunt! That being said, we didn't see a true 350 bull, and we got there 6 days early to scout. The unit is huge, and the advice that you have received about the bulls moving a lot is spot on. I believe that there are tremendous bull in the unit somewhere, but finding them proved to be tricky for us. We really had a great hunt, and the country is amazing! Have fun, and good luck!

adirondack · Jun 15, 2015

Thanks Elkchaser, Was your son able to harvest a bull? I am pretty sure he will shoot the first bull he can get a good clean shot at. It is nice to think that he might kill a "bull of a lifetime", but in the end he is just happy to be going elk hunting. He loves reading these posts. They has definitely
kept him excited about his prospects.

Elkchaser4570 · Jun 15, 2015

Haha...that's pretty much what my son did. He found a bulll that he really liked the night before the opener. Got some video and live pics of him, and the next morning he clobbered him! Ya, we had seen bigger bulls, but the fact that my son found this bull himself certainly make the hunt more meaningful to him. It is his best bull to date, and he was one happy camper to get him. He's a solid 325 bull, so he did pretty dang well for himself! He's got a pretty good bull tag this year, so he has set the bar pretty high for himself for only being 16 yrs old. You are going to have a blast on this hunt...we tried unsuccessfully to draw it again this year. Hope you are able to find one of the giants that the unit is known for, but I'm glad to hear that he's not going to allow a measuring tape to define whether or not his hunt is a success. Plenty of time in the future to go down that path... Once again, good luck and I'll be watching for the pic of your son and his bull!

adirondack · Jun 16, 2015

He will gladly post some pics if he scores. Your son's story is a great one. congrats on his bull. I drew a Nevada deer tag a couple of years ago and we went together. I have had alot of great hunts over the years, and that was one of the best. This year will top that fall as he will have the tag in his pocket.He has been putting his time in at the range. He is makeing my life easy as he is shooting very well. Thanks, Rob

rooster205 · Jul 17, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-15 AT 05:14AM (MST)[p]Got these yesterday in 17

Schleppy · Jul 18, 2015

Hey Rooster great pic, see many other elk? Do you have a tag for 17 this year? I thought I saw you hunted it a couple years ago, how did you do?

leftturnabq · Jul 19, 2015

This is going to be a great year for antler growth with the moisture we've had throughout the growing season. There is no doubt that 17 holds some bruisers. I choked on one of the biggest bulls I've ever laid eyes on during a muzzy hunt there.

That said, this is a youth hunt. I would not get too caught up in the numbers game for fear of potentially setting up dissapontment on what should be a great hunt.

Having said that as well, I would not bother with anything less than a mature 6x6 for anybody on this hunt.

Best of luck, and looking forward to the pics and story.

rooster205 · Jul 19, 2015

We saw quite a few this weekend and they are looking great. A friend saw 2 nice bulls 2 weeks ago and already 320-340. So it should be a great year for those fortunate enough to have a tag. I did not draw, however 2 years ago I had the opportunity to hunt there and it was amazing. Scouted every weekend 5 weeks prior to the hunt and was in bulls every morning and evening. Due to a last minute work conflict I could only hunt 2 days and came home with a 335 bull. With all the weather this year, it should be quite interesting to see what is harvested. Good luck to all!!

adirondack · Jul 21, 2015

My son Mathew says "Thank you for the pictures"! He has been practicing his shooting and working on our farm to earn some extra money for his trip. It looks like good rains every few days there. There is not much more in life a person could ask for. Thanks again for shareing your pictures. Rob

kraymondf · Apr 23, 2023

My son drew the youth tag this year. I know its been awhile but the unit is huge! Can anyone PM me a starting location? We will camp if needed an he can hike! Only 10 but he is ready.

TLowell02 · Apr 24, 2023

kraymondf said:
My son drew the youth tag this year. I know its been awhile but the unit is huge! Can anyone PM me a starting location? We will camp if needed an he can hike! Only 10 but he is ready.

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