New Mexico - Unit 2 - Archery Elk

[kyledoskocil]

I was curious if anyone is willing to share any pointers, tips, etc. for New Mexico Unit 2 elk hunting. My brothers and I have done a little bit of elk hunting but not near this area so this will be our first time in the NW New Mexico area. I know a lot of oil field activity is in that area and have heard finding water is the key. This hunt will be during the rut which I think will help but since it is such a big unit/area was hoping some people could help point me in the right direction or if they had bad experiences in a certain area share that information as well. Not looking for any secret spots or anything just a general direction to help kick start e-scouting before we put boots on the ground this summer. Thanks!

 

[WapitiBob]

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Bring tire chains. On the off chance it gets wet that place will mud up like you wouldnt believe.

 

[seeth07]

It isn't an easy place to find elk. A vast majority of the unit is void of elk that time of year and the outfitters and locals in that area don't freely give up where the elk hang out during that season. That also means that where the elk are, its pretty packed with people

 

[wweaver79]

Find water, you will find them out in tall sage and tree pockets if there is water. They are not all up high in the trees like you would think.

 

[jaybone]

If my NV bull tag doesnt burn up every last bit of PTO i have, I too will be in unit 2 for the late archery elk hunt. Hope I have a few days at least.

 

[kyledoskocil]

If my NV bull tag doesnt burn up every last bit of PTO i have, I too will be in unit 2 for the late archery elk hunt. Hope I have a few days at least.

When you refer to the late archery hunt are you talking about September 15-24th hunt?

 

[jaybone]

When you refer to the late archery hunt are you talking about September 15-24th hunt?

Yeah

 

[kyledoskocil]

Yeah

Private message me, I tried sending you one but it wouldn’t let me

 

[willcifer13]

Private message me, I tried sending you one but it wouldn’t let me

How did you guys do on this hunt? I drew the late archery tag for this year. I hunted mule deer in 2A 4 years ago and found more elk than deer.

 

[jaybone]

Hunted a day and a half. Didn't kill one. Found some elk but there was a fair number of hunters in that area.

 

[willcifer13]

Hunted a day and a half. Didn't kill one. Found some elk but there was a fair number of hunters in that area.

Would you go back? I really want to avoid people. We were in Utah last year and there were people everywhere.

 

[jaybone]

Yeah id go back. Will be easier to avoid people if you focus on the desert country and leave the ponderosa and jicarilla borders well alone. Probably would have been a great hunt, but after 19 days of elk in nevada, and a good colorado first rifle tag after nm, i just didnt have much in the tank for it. I did not apply for it this year because with the new tag costs, i just dont think it would be worth that for me.

I also had the jan 2a mule deer this year. Saw more elk than deer too. Didnt shoot a buck. Couldnt find a grown up one.

 

[willcifer13]

Wow, that's a lot of hunting! I plan to hunt that much when I retire though. So, I was concerned about a ton of people on the eastern side of the unit. I'm never afraid to go deeper than everyone else though. I could have killed a couple bulls on the desert side of the unit, lots of rut action in late September. Almost no deer sign though. I only saw elk in one canyon though.

 

[jaybone]

Wow, that's a lot of hunting! I plan to hunt that much when I retire though. So, I was concerned about a ton of people on the eastern side of the unit. I'm never afraid to go deeper than everyone else though. I could have killed a couple bulls on the desert side of the unit, lots of rut action in late September. Almost no deer sign though. I only saw elk in one canyon though.

Yeah it was a busy year. 4 elk hunts, 3 deer hunts, pigs, and archery lope if you include hunts i took other people on. Im really looking forward to fishing more this year lol.