New Mexico Unit 18

[Westxhunter]

I drew a tag for this unit this year (my first time ;-)) Anyone else hunt this unit before in New Mexico? I've been through some of the areas and it's going to be a tough hunt. No specifics needed, but anyone who's hunted here, what did you see out there?

 

[Pucky Freak]

Welcome to HT

 

[Westxhunter]

Thank You, feeling welcome already

 

[mdeerjunkie]

Welcome! No experience in NM

 

[Derek jones]

Aby luck?

 

[Westxhunter]

No luck, I never was able to get out for a hunt. I scouted plenty and found some nice spots, but I didn't draw 18 this year. The Mountainair areas are promising. The key is finding water. I ended up staying away from the areas where BLM and private land intersected each other, lots of closed gates.

 

[3855WIN]

So you drew last season, scouted, but didn’t hunt? Then didn’t draw it for 2021?

 

[Westxhunter]

I drew unit 30 this year, lol. My goal is to try to draw for the hardest units. So far I'm two for two. I wanted 18 again. The bucks should grow exponentially with all the rain this year. Unit 30 is going to be just as tough, but I've already scouted some nice country. Right around the time for my hunt, I came off furlough and had to start working again. That screwed up my plans big time.

 

[donald250]

Welcome aboard

 

[Mykeyb01]

Hello, just wanted to jump on this thread to see if anyone has any good info on unit 18. I drew riffle tag this season. Thank you in advance.

 

[Westxhunter]

Hello, just wanted to jump on this thread to see if anyone has any good info on unit 18. I drew riffle tag this season. Thank you in advance.

Do your research. Use google maps, OnX if you have it, or some other type of mapping software. Find some spots and go check 'em out. I got a few tips here and there, but you won't know diddly until you get your boots on the ground. Part of the fun is scouting and hoping the big buck you saw will be there a few months from now. I can tell you that 18 is tough and will not give up anything easily. I'm glad I drew it again this year because now I can put what I learned from my first failure to good use and hopefully find a big'n.

 

[Mykeyb01]

Do your research. Use google maps, OnX if you have it, or some other type of mapping software. Find some spots and go check 'em out. I got a few tips here and there, but you won't know diddly until you get your boots on the ground. Part of the fun is scouting and hoping the big buck you saw will be there a few months from now. I can tell you that 18 is tough and will not give up anything easily. I'm glad I drew it again this year because now I can put what I learned from my first failure to good use and hopefully find a big'n.

Thank you for the reply. I’m a non-resident coming from Florida. So I have to do ”virtual scouting” . I applied for 31 based on draw success and harvest log and then 18 cuz my outfitter mentioned it has a second option. I missed 31. And the more info I gather on 18, makes me wonder. cause I’ve noticed it’s not exactly the best. Thanks again, and any other tips youd be willing to share I’d greatly appreciate.

 

[Wallydeuce]

Outfitter? You didn't mention in your original post that you are going with an outfitter. His primary job is to get you on the game you're hunting.

 

[zjzeuske]

Do your research. Use google maps, OnX if you have it, or some other type of mapping software. Find some spots and go check 'em out. I got a few tips here and there, but you won't know diddly until you get your boots on the ground. Part of the fun is scouting and hoping the big buck you saw will be there a few months from now. I can tell you that 18 is tough and will not give up anything easily. I'm glad I drew it again this year because now I can put what I learned from my first failure to good use and hopefully find a big'n.

Westxhunter,
My dad and I drew unit 18 New Mexico for archery elk this year and am hoping you could share some info with me on this unit. Any information would help! We're traveling from Wisconsin so we have no way to do any scouting on the ground. My dad's been hunting elk for 45 years and I've been lucky enough to hunt with him the last 10 years. This is our 5th state hunting together and were just happy to have a pair of tags that we get to burn together.
Thanks

 

[Valley1320]

Westxhunter,
My dad and I drew unit 18 New Mexico for archery elk this year and am hoping you could share some info with me on this unit. Any information would help! We're traveling from Wisconsin so we have no way to do any scouting on the ground. My dad's been hunting elk for 45 years and I've been lucky enough to hunt with him the last 10 years. This is our 5th state hunting together and were just happy to have a pair of tags that we get to burn together.
Thanks

Welcome to HT

 

[Dave N]

Westxhunter,
My dad and I drew unit 18 New Mexico for archery elk this year and am hoping you could share some info with me on this unit. Any information would help! We're traveling from Wisconsin so we have no way to do any scouting on the ground. My dad's been hunting elk for 45 years and I've been lucky enough to hunt with him the last 10 years. This is our 5th state hunting together and were just happy to have a pair of tags that we get to burn together.
Thanks

45 years should be enough for your father to have a good idea of what he's doing. Who picked the unit? Looks like you both need to look at maps and use his knowledge instead of joining a forum to ask for help.

 

[zjzeuske]

45 years should be enough for your father to have a good idea of what he's doing. Who picked the unit? Looks like you both need to look at maps and use his knowledge instead of joining a forum to ask for help.

Dave,
Thanks for the completely unnecessary and pointless response. So because my dad and I have more experience and skill than you, we shouldn't be allowed to ask people for advice on a unit that we've never been and a place we can't scout on the ground? You've never asked for hunting advice on a unit you've never been to? You understand how hunting forums work right? I hope you're not this rude to your boyfriend.

 

[Dave N]

 

[Dave N]

Good luck with that, sparky. You're about the 7th or 8th person to join and ask for help since the draw. Look around. You're going to see that newbies with a new tag asking for help 2 minutes after joining get bashed because they almost ALWAYS never come back to post results or thanks.

By the way, you really shouldn't insult people when you first sign up. Doesn't get you very far. I'm out!

 

[seeth07]

I'm sure that his reaction and attitude will have people now jumping right in to help him...

He should have went with the hot chick avatar approach. I bet that guy has 10 honey holes already via PM's