Unit 21 A New Mexico elk Sept 15 to 24

labby1 · Apr 29, 2015

My son and I drew this archery tag. Anyone hunt it before. Allmost all gila wilderness. Looking for some help.

Servehim · Apr 29, 2015

Hum , might want to review the map again. No wilderness I'm aware of , but lots of steep , rough terrain. My Bro and I drew it (1st hunt) as a 3rd choice and feel Blessed to be their chasing them...yeah. There are elk without a doubt and when hunting pressure heats up they move to where people aren't . Get in shape my Freind .

elkhunternm_13 · Apr 29, 2015

Looks like its gila to me! If it was me I would stay in the north east part of the unit!

labby1 · Apr 30, 2015

It looks like it almost all Gila Wilderness. Must be a reason it is all public. To nasty to be private. Nobody wanted to settle there back in the day. I can't seem to find much on 21 a elk hunts but no shortage of info on the 16 c,e,b,a

elkhunternm_13 · Apr 30, 2015

It ought to be a good one its surrounded by prime elk units!

hank4elk · Apr 30, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Apr-30-15 AT 08:01AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-30-15 AT 07:39?AM (MST)

It's The Aldo Leopold Wilderness is part of it,rest is mostly FS.
Narrow,steep,rugged,lotsa critters.....get a map.

ixsolracxi · Apr 30, 2015

the southern part of the units western edge is in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness...the unit is steep, dry and not many elk compared to other parts of the Gila...the unit can frustrate the hell out of you...they are there but you will need to work for them...I have areas where i know i can hit and be in the elk within 30 minutes of leaving my jeep but it has taken numerous scouting trips and miles of hiking to know where they like to hang out...i love this unit but haven't drawn in 4 years now...this year i will be in 21B in another little area i have found that holds elk...good luck!

labby1 · Apr 30, 2015

I will get maps ordered. I hope to get a summer trip in but coming from MN is a long ways. The kid has a new job so he will be short on time. I will most likely drive myself and pick him up at airport to save 2 days drive so he can hunt more. Sounds like it is ruff country. We will need some luck to get on elk early in the hunt.

labby1 · Apr 30, 2015

Anyone else have experience with the unit? Any success stories to get the moral up

labby1 · May 3, 2015

Does anyone have any pictures from Bulls in 21a

Servehim · May 3, 2015

Opps...my bad southern part does have AL wilderness . We don't get down that far south normally. It's the Gila and Big Bulls live there, just much tougher to get to them and much more importantly getting them out in a timely manner if you tag one.

labby1 · May 5, 2015

Sounds like we may have access to horses. it is just odd if you ask about any of the 16 units there are tons of posts but 21A does not hold much info in the archieves

Servehim · May 5, 2015

Unit 21 is not Prime Gila... But the gene pool is there and Big Bulls roam in spots

ixsolracxi · May 6, 2015

labby...i think it is important to remember the 16's are prime elk units, some of the best in the country which is why there is so much information available about them and why they are so hard to draw...21A is on the "edge" of the Gila and there are not many elk but there are some big bulls there...it is easier to draw than the 16s because the number of elk in the unit is much less...you really need to work to learn where the animals like to hang out or where to find them...i think it's an awesome unit and i love hunting there but i haven't drawn a tag in 4 years now...i will be in neighboring 21B trying to get an elk on public land which is even harder because most of the elk (and their habitat) is on private...the one thing i can not stress enough is to get in really great shape...run and get on a stair machine to get you ready for what you are in for...

mgm · May 12, 2015

My wife drew 21a for elk as well. We will be hunting the first part of September though. We have heard it is a good unit for elk. Planning to do our first scouting trip this weekend.

mgm · May 20, 2015

Saw some cows this passed weekend. We were only able to hike about 45 min before a rain/snow storm hit. So we got out. Planning to go back next week. PM me for more info/updates.

MGM

muleybeast · Jun 10, 2015

Lots of nice bulls pass through 21 on their way to 17. Couple years back I saw 7 separate bulls on a muzzy hunt in 21. 3 of them probably 330+

excavator · Jun 14, 2015

I hunted the rifle season in this unit a few years ago. My buddy and I killed two six points in the wilderness. Just six points; nothing special.

In speaking with the locals, I think the elk we killed were probably in a totally different location during the rut. I was told where they supposedly were during archery season. I can tell you what I learned, but it's not a ton.

Excavator

labby1 · Aug 2, 2015

Well we are just over a month away. Getting excited now. Anyone been up in this country,

Servehim · Aug 3, 2015

28 Long days......can't wait

ixsolracxi · Aug 4, 2015

if it's anything like the Albuquerque area it has to be really green...the west mesa is a sea of green which i have not seen in years...im heading down to Elephant Butte this weekend and might try to take a quick drive up to Winston...will let you know...

Servehim · Aug 4, 2015

Nice. Pretty sure it's a sea of green . Thx

ixsolracxi · Aug 26, 2015

Labby...I was down in 21A/B and the neighboring units two weekends ago and everything was greener than green...grass everywhere...i haven't seen the unit that good in years...when are you coming to NM?

mgm · Aug 26, 2015

Same news here. Been in 21A the last few weekends and going again this weekend. Tons of green grass as tall as your waist in some areas. Good for the animals, not necessarily good for walking around.

Servehim · Aug 26, 2015

Pumped to leave Friday as my brother and I have the 1st hunt in 21A. I know the unit has had lots of moisture but haven't heard if they had the gully washer rains that actually fill the tanks. I guess I'll find out soon enough but just curious. Thx Jim

labby1 · Sep 9, 2015

we leave on sunday cant wait. I will start hunting the 15th to the 24th or hopefully we are both taged out sooner!. Sounds like the grass is unreal and water is everywhere. Makes it tuff for afternoon water sits but I would rather chase em and call them in anyway!

ixsolracxi · Sep 9, 2015

Labby, good luck...when I was out there 3 weeks ago it was really green everywhere but not water everywhere...I wish I had that tag because I know it will be fun...do you know where you will be camping? I am heading out on the 17th and will be hunting 21B but most likely camping in 21A. FYI, I will be in a white jeep patriot with a safari rack on top so if you see me flag me down...