Unit 53 New Mexico solo. Bad idea?

[jadkins223]

I made the post last week about other units. I think I’ve found a landowner tag in 53 for rifle that I want to buy.

Everything I read says that place will kill a man if you truly want to find elk.

I’m 35, in good shape. But this would only be my 2nd elk hunt ever.

Is this unit too much without horses and going solo? Thanks for insight.

 

[brownbear932008]

I don't care if you are 25 and do crossfit daily. Packing an elk out of nasty country is hard and doing it solo with camp is even harder. Can it be done? Of coarse it can. A lot of factors to think about before you pull that trigger and you have a big task laying on the ground. Trust me I've been there. It can be rather hot in the NM rifle seasons. I personally would talk a good friend into going with me if possible.

 

[Nick87]

I don't care if you are 25 and do crossfit daily. Packing an elk out of nasty country is hard and doing it solo with camp is even harder. Can it be done? Of coarse it can. A lot of factors to think about before you pull that trigger and you have a big task laying on the ground. Trust me I've been there. It can be rather hot in the NM rifle seasons. I personally would talk a good friend into going with me if possible.

A lot of truth here. Also, your not going to die (at least I don't think) so I'd say go for it. Or buy me a tag too and ill check in on you.

 

[kiwi hunter]

I say shoot the biggest bad boy and then worry on the small print.

 

[Robert N]

Just because you can…doesn’t make it a good idea.

As a general rule: If something has a reputation, it probably got it for a reason. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done…or that you aren’t the person to do it. Rather, it’s probably a caution worth considering.

Now, at 56, I can tell you that packing even a TN Whitetail out (quartered in the field) is still going to suck, even if it’s just a 400 yards of uphill (*it’s a lot steeper than I ever think). And it’s a whole lot easier with two people. But, and here’s the real BUT…

Why squander the opportunity to bond with another decent human being in the crucible of pain?

My best friends and I bonded in some hellish conditions…and it’s those stories we cherish the most.

 

[THINKIN6X6]

It should be downhill to your truck once you get one. Getting to them will be the hard part.

 

[jadkins223]

Just because you can…doesn’t make it a good idea.

As a general rule: If something has a reputation, it probably got it for a reason. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done…or that you aren’t the person to do it. Rather, it’s probably a caution worth considering.

Now, at 56, I can tell you that packing even a TN Whitetail out (quartered in the field) is still going to suck, even if it’s just a 400 yards of uphill (*it’s a lot steeper than I ever think). And it’s a whole lot easier with two people. But, and here’s the real BUT…

Why squander the opportunity to bond with another decent human being in the crucible of pain?

My best friends and I bonded in some hellish conditions…and it’s those stories we cherish the most.

In my circle of “friends” I cannot get anyone to go. Everyone likes the idea but when it comes down to it they make excuses. Soft generation lol

I did find a pack service to get me out today so that’s a plus

 

[jadkins223]

A lot of truth here. Also, you’re not going to die (at least I don't think) so I'd say go for it. Or buy me a tag too and I’ll check in on you.

Haha let’s go man. Meet you at the trail head. I found a pack service today to get me out so that’s good

 

[Robert N]

In my circle of “friends” I cannot get anyone to go. Everyone likes the idea but when it comes down to it they make excuses. Soft generation lol

I did find a pack service to get me out today so that’s a plus

Yeah. I get that. Different situations but I’ve been there.

My next thought is “how do I mitigate risk”. The pack service is a good idea. Superb idea.

What else can you mitigate? Sat phone? InReach? Weather notifies? Emergency flight rescue?

not saying it would happen but: how do you protect yourself of you blow out a knew? What are you doing to prevent these things from happening?

I do get it. Where I hunt I have a strict phone on rule and my wife knows my plan. I call it filling a flight itinerary. Someone needs to know.

What’s yours?

 

[jadkins223]

Yeah. I get that. Different situations but I’ve been there.

My next thought is “how do I mitigate risk”. The pack service is a good idea. Superb idea.

What else can you mitigate? Sat phone? InReach? Weather notifies? Emergency flight rescue?

not saying it would happen but: how do you protect yourself of you blow out a knew? What are you doing to prevent these things from happening?

I do get it. Where I hunt I have a strict phone on rule and my wife knows my plan. I call it filling a flight itinerary. Someone needs to know.

What’s yours?

I have the Garmin in reach for sure. It’s a must. I have a few locals within an hour of the unit that could bail me out if I needed. Lots to consider

 

[WapitiBob]

It should be downhill to your truck once you get one. Getting to them will be the hard part.

This is the right answer, in multiple ways

 

[Nick87]

Haha let’s go man. Meet you at the trail head. I found a pack service today to get me out so that’s good

Just a thought but if you've got the money for the tag and the pack out service and the tag. Can you shop around a little more and spend it all on the tag and find a place a little less rugged? Or better yet save the money and cut your teeth on a cheaper or otc tag?

 

[jadkins223]

Just a thought but if you've got the money for the tag and the pack out service and the tag. Can you shop around a little more and spend it all on the tag and find a place a little less rugged? Or better yet save the money and cut your teeth on a cheaper or otc tag?

My hunt last year was as pretty rough. Packed in 7 miles. Killed my bull at 12k feet.


I like your idea though. I’m actually considering just doing a late season cow tag and taking my 10 year old son with me. An easier type of hunt maybe in a different unit.


I’m not sure what cheaper OTC options exist outside of Colorado rifle.

Im in Oklahoma so New Mexico is only 9 hours from me.

 

[brownbear932008]

If you have a way out buy it and get that bull man!

 

[jadkins223]

If you have a way out buy it and get that bull man!

I will most likely end up doing this. I’ll be sure to update the group with a recap. I’ve got a decent amount of time to dial in my training too

 

[Nick87]

My hunt last year was as pretty rough. Packed in 7 miles. Killed my bull at 12k feet.

You've already got that under your belt, You'll be fine. Enjoy it.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

It’s hard to really expand on what everyone already covered, but I’ll try.

I’ve had two types of friends hunt 53.
Some based camp down below and tried to wake up every morning to get ahead of them on their way up the mountain or try to catch up with them on the way off.
Not my favorite tactic and can get the best of people fairly quickly. Especially those who aren’t mentally conditioned for the suck. That’s saying you are that way, just a general statement. Sometimes having a pal around helps keep you motivated. However solo hunters who aren’t callused with “the suck” yet seem to tap out earlier than those who learned to push. Gotta start somewhere though.

Other group of friends bivy’d on the mountain and resupplied as needed. That would be my recommendation for the hunt, but again could be overwhelming for a “second elk hunt.”

I like Nick’s input.

If it was me I’m holding out on the chance to find a better tag and possibly cheaper. Then my backup plan is a cow hunt. They are pretty easy to find tags in good units…. Some that you mentioned in your other thread.

Go ahead and get you a late season cow tag in a unit you plan to hunt in the future years. Now you’re hunting and scouting for future hunts.

If you had some buddies I’d say have at 53.

 

[jadkins223]

It’s hard to really expand on what everyone already covered, but I’ll try.

I’ve had two types of friends hunt 53.
Some based camp down below and tried to wake up every morning to get ahead of them on their way up the mountain or try to catch up with them on the way off.
Not my favorite tactic and can get the best of people fairly quickly. Especially those who aren’t mentally conditioned for the suck. That’s saying you are that way, just a general statement. Sometimes having a pal around helps keep you motivated. However solo hunters who aren’t callused with “the suck” yet seem to tap out earlier than those who learned to push. Gotta start somewhere though.

Other group of friends bivy’d on the mountain and resupplied as needed. That would be my recommendation for the hunt, but again could be overwhelming for a “second elk hunt.”

I like Nick’s input.

If it was me I’m holding out on the chance to find a better tag and possibly cheaper. Then my backup plan is a cow hunt. They are pretty easy to find tags in good units…. Some that you mentioned in your other thread.

Go ahead and get you a late season cow tag in a unit you plan to hunt in the future years. Now you’re hunting and scouting for future hunts.

If you had some buddies I’d say have at 53.

That’s a great viewpoint.

I would be more of the pack up the mountain and hunt them that way. That’s what I did last year.

I saw guys hike in an hour after daylight because they camped only 2-3 miles in. I packed in right at 7.

Although, today I talked to a few locals that said once about muzzle loader hits the high mountains aren’t near as good because they get pushed down “lower”.

Haven’t determined where “lower” is yet.

I’m not experienced enough to know the validity of this yet either. Lots to learn.

Late season cow hunt is definitely on the books.

Does anyone know if I can have a cow tag and a bull tag? Both would be LO tags.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Does anyone know if I can have a cow tag and a bull tag? Both would be LO tags.

To your last question - you can only have one or the other.

 

[schmalts]

I have hunted 53 at least 5 times, maybe more but my memory sucks. If it is a rifle tag and snow comes weather might have pushed them lower into easier terrain but that is not a common thing. If not, you can find them up higher still but also down low as a lot live in lower terrain year round and also drop down for the rut. I was shocked that the pinion juniper areas had a decent elk population. But I have sat on my buddies porch in Questa many times and glassed up elk and sheep above timberline 4.5 miles away and always dreamed of going up there and finding a horse afterwards. Elk densities are low in that unit compared to other units but that is why your landowner tag cost less. I was a lot younger then, and hunted stuff I would not attempt now pushing the 6-0. At your age, and if not a fatty I say have at it! Here's my best 53 bull, muzz hunt, I was in the best shape of my life and ran my ass off to get in front of him and his cows as he was pulling the same stunt 2 days in a row so I knew where he was going. And yes, I did outrun a herd of walking elk believe it or not.... but again I was a lot younger