New Mexico Unit 2B

[silasd]

Doing some looking over computer at Unit 2B, look like unless you are on the 527 or 64, it's dirt. Also looks like a crap ton of oil and gas sites. Does anyone know if the major dirt roads, like Rosa Rd or the County Roads, like County Rd 513, open or are they gated off for oil and gas? I put in for this unit and trying to figure out how to crack the nut if I draw. Appreciate any info folks might have. Thanks!

 

[Nick87]

Been along time but roads were pretty decent iirc. But this was in the winter.

 

[silasd]

Been along time but roads were pretty decent iirc. But this was in the winter.

Thanks. I used to snag salmon some years ago, and I remember traveling some dirt roads - pretty hard packed. I put in for the November draw. Fingers crossed. Appreciate the info.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

rosa rd,513,310 rd are dirt,,gets bad when its wet///chains for all 4 is good insurance//the main travel rds are not gated,,but several side roads off the mains are gated,,was there last year.

 

[hank4elk]

Roads are terrible in that area. Deer hunting is nothing like it was in past. IMHO

 

[silasd]

rosa rd,513,310 rd are dirt,,gets bad when its wet///chains for all 4 is good insurance//the main travel rds are not gated,,but several side roads off the mains are gated,,was there last year.

Thanks - not a lot of experience with chains, but I'll make sure to make the investment. I'd rather pay the extra money and never use them than to be sitting there stuck in the muck wishing I had!

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

when dry the roads are pretty decent,,what they do is put a small layer of natural dirt and oil crews apparently grade the main roads for the tanker trucks that run to all the wells,,,but when it gets wet its bad.

 

[silasd]

when dry the roads are pretty decent,,what they do is put a small layer of natural dirt and oil crews apparently grade the main roads for the tanker trucks that run to all the wells,,,but when it gets wet its bad.

Thanks - I'm not take make chances and will bring chains if I draw.

 

[seeth07]

@silasd did you draw? I did and just always looking for others that have the same tag

 

[silasd]

@silasd did you draw? I did and just always looking for others that have the same tag

I did indeed draw.

 

[silasd]

I did indeed draw.

Hey, I did draw but not that unit that year. I did draw it this year. Would appreciate any pointers before I head out to scout. I'm planning to work the east side of the lake but am also thinking about the Carson NF.

 

[silasd]

Unit 2B Mule Deer Recap (TLDR: did not tag out)

Hi All,
First I want to thank everyone who shared info and pointers with me on this unit. Your advice was invaluable. I did not connect, but it wasn't for want of deer. Just want of bucks at the right place right time. I have hunted a lot of units in NM and never seen as many animals in one unit as this one.

I went up a few weeks early to scout - thanks to all who said be sure to bring chains. YOU ARE NOT KIDDING. I was unable to fully scout the area because it rained almost all weekend and the roads were a mess. Without chains, I would have lost my truck over a drop off, no doubt. For those not familiar, the soil is a fine power/sand that fills your treads and then cakes your wheels. When the sand/clay donut that used to be your tire is in contact with the same wet sand/clay surface, you have no traction. In my case, I was scouting a forect road off 64 with some steep grades and got caught in a shower on an already wet day. I did not notice my tires had slicked up until I tried to brake and continued sliding. Luckily, the truck came to a stop and I got out and chained up. After that is was no problem. Still slow going but no more sliding. I'll also say this. I had used chains before so I know how to put them on. If you haven't doe it before, be sure to do a dry run. When your truck is perched on the side of a 7-8 degree slope, you want to know your system.

For everyone who said find a locked gate and pursue game at least a mile beyond it, thank you. That is what I did, and I saw deer every day. The day before my tag opened, I saw a shooter buck I'd have been happy to take, but try as I might I couldn't find him. Or any other day for that matter. Every day I saw a least three does - 9 on the last day.

BRING BEAR SPRAY. I was putting a predawn sneak on an area and jumped a mama and her Gen x cubs. I say Gen x because they were so big, they must've gone to college and came back home to live. Mama was even bigger, and I have seen a lot of NM bears. She was pissed and started at me. For those veterans who crave that combat zone adrenalin rush when sh*t's getting real, this is how you get your fix. I was about to start feeding her 45 caliber bruin snacks when she turned and hightailed it after her "cubs." Ironically, I had a bear and cougar tag but NMDGF closed the unit to bear harvests a few weeks back. If you're wondering why I didn't spray her, I was downwind. They were by a well and I was on my ebike with a green light headlamp, so I am guessing they couldn't smell or hear me. They exploded out of the sage brush when I rolled in. I dumped the bike, and started walking backwards like Michael Jackson moonwalking at the Grammys - just as smooth and as fast as the laws of nature would allow. Suffice it to say, the predawn sneak was aborted.

There are lots of road hunters. The winner of NM road hunter of the year goes to the dude in a lawn chair with a suppressor on his rifle riding in the back of his bud's truck, which was loaded with kids. Why to raise em right, dad. Again, find a spot off the road and start hiking in. Find the game trails and read the tracks. You will see deer. On my last day I saw 3 does at noon and three more at 4 PM. They were pretty relaxed. I believe the 9 on my last day is because the road pressure pushed them in. If only they'd brought their boyfriends.

As for the roads, the oil and gas roads are well maintained. The guys who work there are good dudes. I pulled over when the sand trucks and water trucks were coming at me or behind me and got a thank you every time. We're there to hunt for recreation; they are there to get a job done.

Bring EVERYTHING you need. There are no stores for miles. So bring a jerry can of fuel just in case. That said, I fueled up in Chama every trip and made it in and home on one tank (27 gal - 2014 Dodge Ram Diesel).

I also brought an ebike. Don't bother. The terrain is pretty rugged and the hassle of humping around locked gates, while doable, ain't worth it. Adding a rifle to the mix just makes it harder. You'll get to the end of the well pad and have to to ditch the bike in the bushes. And if you leave it on your truck, you'll worry about it.

Camping - I camped right off the road near my spot. Plenty of spaces for tents. Bring earplugs because if it ain't the fracking ops, it's the sand trucks, or the rigs. It's noisy.

Also - fire ban in effect.

That's all, folks. Disappointed I didn't harvest but I had a great time. Rugged country that tests you, and bears that remind you you're alive.

Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations, and you'll have really good days. RWH
IZ 10-11
Q8 15-16

 

[Valley1320]

Headed up there today

 

[BDH]

Thanks for the after action report. It was a good read!