Early Archery New Mexico unit 36 tactics

36 is very steep country and full of prickly stuff in the burn areas. my advice to you is be in very good physical shape and have good boots, gaiters that are broken in. there are alot of elk but you need to be in very good shape to get to them.
 
mdgray, It was awesome! Incredible area and lots of elk, I was into bulls almost every day. Ended up killing a 300" 6 point and had a great experience. Thanks for asking!

That's awesome, congrats on the bull. I cant wait. I'm taking the family on memorial day weekend for a quick vacation to Ruidoso and to check out the area some. I've talked to a couple of locals and they suggested staying in the low country and avoid the high country. They acted like there is elk in every part of the unit and most the other hunters go to the high elevation stuff and i would find just as many elk with less pressure in the lower country. Does that sound inline with your experience?
 
That's awesome, congrats on the bull. I cant wait. I'm taking the family on memorial day weekend for a quick vacation to Ruidoso and to check out the area some. I've talked to a couple of locals and they suggested staying in the low country and avoid the high country. They acted like there is elk in every part of the unit and most the other hunters go to the high elevation stuff and i would find just as many elk with less pressure in the lower country. Does that sound inline with your experience?
It does not sound like the experience I had on two trips there. The low country is easier to get around but I personally saw way more elk in the high/tough country. Now bow season could be different but I doubt it makes that much difference. I hunted/scouted both areas,most days I would see between 5-15 elk low and 25-100 high as an example. You are in for a great hunt as dry as it is water could be key. It will effect horn growth if it continues to stay dry. My first hunt was a dry year and it was tough to find a six point. My second year was a good moisture year and 6 points were everywhere you looked.
I can't stress enough to get in shape the country is steep and high elevations.
 
mdgray, It was awesome! Incredible area and lots of elk, I was into bulls almost every day. Ended up killing a 300" 6 point and had a great experience. Thanks for asking!
Curious what was the tactic used to take your bull?

We drew unit 36 early archery. Three tags so we will have our work cut out for us. In all reality I’ll be over the moon if we fill one 😂
 
mdgray, It was awesome! Incredible area and lots of elk, I was into bulls almost every day. Ended up killing a 300" 6 point and had a great experience. Thanks for asking
Mike congratulations on your trip. Glad it was a success. We drew some 36 tags this year and if at all possible would like some direction on where to start. Not scared to hike. This will be our first elk hunt all info would be much appreciated.
 
Mike congratulations on your trip. Glad it was a success. We drew some 36 tags this year and if at all possible would like some direction on where to start. Not scared to hike. This will be our first elk hunt all info would be much appreciated.
Here's a tip, a quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know. It's a primo tag elk are not hard to find in a primo unit. You can throw a rock in about any direction and find elk in there. It's steep, it's rugged, it's full of elk, find a trailhead and walk and you can be assured you will see plenty of elk. Most of all be in shape, it will make or break you real quick if you hike in. Good luck, and hang around don't be the guy who grabs what he can and runs never to be seen again which is what 95% of these type post consist of.
 
Here's a tip, a quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know. It's a primo tag elk are not hard to find in a primo unit. You can throw a rock in about any direction and find elk in there. It's steep, it's rugged, it's full of elk, find a trailhead and walk and you can be assured you will see plenty of elk. Most of all be in shape, it will make or break you real quick if you hike in. Good luck, and hang around don't be the guy who grabs what he can and runs never to be seen again which is what 95% of these type post consist of.
Are you recommending horses to get into then? Compared from say hunting from truck camp and hiking in and out each day.
 

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