My first Elk tag in NM

[Joshgs]

I have been planning this hunt for over a year, since I had an opportunity to go on my first cow elk hunt with my uncle in Northern NM. This was my first time applying through the draw and was fortunate to get a second rifle hunt in unit 51, and my uncle got a third rifle hunt in unit 52 nearby. I learned a great deal by reading several threads and great information from other hunters on the forum. This by far was a tough hunt and a great learning experience.

After spending a day or two scouting the area, found some good areas that we spotted and heard bulls bugling. We ran in to small broken up herds of cows, calves and spikes. I hiked on average 7-9 miles a day, found closed roads, remote areas with little access to vehicles. Water tanks seemed to be paying off for other hunters, but it seemed as other hunters thought that was a good idea and found out very quickly that their was more than one hunter at the tanks, so I moved on. It was hard to believe that we were still hearing bugles, but only early in the morning so late in the season, since I considered this the post rut. The bugles came from thick timber and surprisingly lower in the canyons and not up high as I would have expected.

Hunted 5 days and left my tag unfilled, but gained a wealth of knowledge, experience and a time I will never forget. Spent the first two days of my uncles hunt in unit 52 and that as well is such a large unit with plenty of opportunity. Got to see beautiful country and learn some part of that unit as well, after 10 days away from home had to come back to responsibilities, family, work and life.

Checked in today with my uncle and he left his tag unfilled as well. Hopefully we can make it out to a deer hunt in Texas, if not we will give it another shot next year and every year after as long as I am physically and mentally able to. I have a growing passion for hunting Elk as each year goes by. Until we meet again Wapiti!

 

[LWC55]

Good write up. Get em next time!

 

[Eyeguy]

I went 4 times before it all came together. You will get one next time! Every time I went I learned more and more. When I got back I read all I could and studied maps...and applied what we saw to what the maps showed. Why were the areas that we found elk...holding elk? Now I would say that our odds of filling tags are exponentially higher from now on since we learned the country and are learning more about the elk in it. Sounds like maybe you were a little timid at times. I was this way on my first hunt. If you hear a bugle...and have a decent idea on the location it came from...get aggressive! Sneak in and try to get a shot. This is one of the key things I have learned. You risk blowing them out of the unit....but such is life. It also sounds like you learned a lot about this spot and covered some ground. Your odds of success will increase as you learn more! And even more importantly....sounds like you had a fun time! Nothing like it.