New Mexico Backup plan help

[jadkins223]

I applied for the draw in my northern unit with no luck, as expected. Same unit I did my first hunt in last year with success.

I had a solid back up plan of 2 different landowner tags that I could buy. Well one guy sold out from me (assume was offered more $). The other has decided to keep.

I’ve called all the LO on the list with no luck.

Now I’m considering other units. If the group is willing to help me narrow down any of these units that would be great.

To clarify. Looking for unit advice as whole.

Preference would be 2nd archery or muzzy.

I’m very fit and can put in the miles.

A bit intimidated by other units since I’m still new to this all with only 1 solo elk hunt under my belt.

6A/C
48
49
52

 

[Lostinthewoods]

From your list I would be looking at 6A/C & 52.
Both are reasonable units and I would be confident in solo hunts.
Another I'd add to the list is 51.

Youll see lots of 50 tags sold for cheap. Dont do it....

 

[hank4elk]

Got email from G&F Mon. about Eplus for the year, 1 tag. LO list on website was from 2023 Mon.
I am waiting for paper work to see what's up.
So LO's may not have currant list. No enhancement list.

 

[jadkins223]

From your list I would be looking at 6A/C & 52.
Both are reasonable units and I would be confident in solo hunts.
Another I'd add to the list is 51.

Youll see lots of 50 tags sold for cheap. Dont do it....

I have heard avoid 50 like the plague.

52 is probably more in line with my budget. I can only imagine what a 6 tag would cost! Thanks bud for reply

 

[jadkins223]

Got email from G&F Mon. about Eplus for the year, 1 tag. LO list on website was from 2023 Mon.
I am waiting for paper work to see what's up.
So LO's may not have currant list. No enhancement list.

Interesting. The list online appears to reflect 2025 man

 

[seeth07]

52 is probably more in line with my budget. I can only imagine what a 6 tag would cost! Thanks bud for reply

Don't buy your tag now - wait until early September.

 

[jadkins223]

Don't buy your tag now - wait until early September.

That’s what I did last year and got it much cheaper. Is that what you mean?

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Don't buy your tag now - wait until early September.

This is what Im doing.
I'll be watching for some last minute tags.

 

[Chama Grande]

Can anyone PM me a place to buy those tags? I'd like to look into it this year. I swung for the fences in the draw because the snowpack was so bad, but the way the rains have been I'm kicking myself for that decision

 

[seeth07]

Can anyone PM me a place to buy those tags? I'd like to look into it this year. I swung for the fences in the draw because the snowpack was so bad, but the way the rains have been I'm kicking myself for that decision

Google "NM Landowner Elk Tag". Facebook and Craigslist.

 

[Chama Grande]

oh they only cost a bitcoin thats cool

 

[mrcowboy]

Can anyone PM me a place to buy those tags? I'd like to look into it this year. I swung for the fences in the draw because the snowpack was so bad, but the way the rains have been I'm kicking myself for that decision

Rains, haven't seen any in SW NM. Although I did walk Pecos few times last month. Moisture better there.

 

[seeth07]

I swung for the fences in the draw because the snowpack was so bad, but the way the rains have been I'm kicking myself for that decision

Weird, I was still thinking that where all the elk are in the state, its still quite the dire situation:

 

[Treeshark]

Don't buy your tag now - wait until early September.

That strategy isn’t without risk, but it’s the best way to do it if you want to pay less.

Added tip when it gets later like that- just because they ask for a certain amount, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer less.

(That’s what @Forkyfinder told me anyway, I don’t have any first hand experience with such things of course…

 

[jadkins223]

That strategy isn’t without risk, but it’s the best way to do it if you want to pay less.

Added tip when it gets later like that- just because they ask for a certain amount, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer less.

(That’s what @Forkyfinder told me anyway, I don’t have any first hand experience with such things of course…

Haha I did the same last year. We did some last minute haggling and it worked

 

[jrabq]

53 used to be one of the cheaper LO tags, for good reason. If you're in great shape it might be an option.

 

[hank4elk]

Interesting. The list online appears to reflect 2025 man

Well my pc shows list is updated 2023. Logged in or not. It does say map will be up in Aug.
No matter, got paper work. 1 tag. Several other small ranchers only go 1 here.

Man...

 

[Chama Grande]

Weird, I was still thinking that where all the elk are in the state, its still quite the dire situation:

View attachment 377032

The road to Santa Fe is the greenest that I've seen it since 2023, the rains have been way more frequent than I expected this summer

 

[jadkins223]

53 is on my radar too

 

[Reporchie]

Out of those options, I’d go 6C any day. My brother guides up there and all of his clients willing to get away from the truck have gotten decent bulls.