Unit 53 New Mexico solo. Bad idea?

[seeth07]

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

Here are my thoughts on this comment:

Just because everyone behind a keyboard tells you something is going to be hard, doesn't mean it will be to you. The only way you will know is if you go yourself and give it a go.

I've been humbled before at hunts my "internet persception" has made look easy and also hunts where everyone told me I was going to die doing it turn out to not be as bad as I expected. I've learned to just plan for the worst regardless and enjoy the experience, type 2 fun and all

 

[jadkins223]

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
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This is awesome and thanks for sharing your experiences. That’s a great bull as well. I’m jealous you live out in that country and have those frequent encounters. Makes me wonder if I’m making the most of life! Sounds like I have a challenge ahead of me if I want to go the 53 route. Thanks again man

 

[jadkins223]

Here are my thoughts on this comment:

Just because everyone behind a keyboard tells you something is going to be hard, doesn't mean it will be to you. The only way you will know is if you go yourself and give it a go.

I've been humbled before at hunts my "internet persception" has made look easy and also hunts where everyone told me I was going to die doing it turn out to not be as bad as I expected. I've learned to just plan for the worst regardless and enjoy the experience, type 2 fun and all

True, won’t know until you try it. I’m physically ready for it!

Life is short, just get out there as much as you can seems like the best approach

 

[schmalts]

This is awesome and thanks for sharing your experiences. That’s a great bull as well. I’m jealous you live out in that country and have those frequent encounters. Makes me wonder if I’m making the most of life! Sounds like I have a challenge ahead of me if I want to go the 53 route. Thanks again man

I live in Wisconsin..... Not out there. So even non-resident can do it. I found that when people have more investment in a tag they hunt harder.

 

[rjthehunter]

Just get after it. You can't kill them from the couch!

If you're in good shape, you'll be just fine. Especially if you have stock lined up to help pack out if needed.

 

[jadkins223]

Just get after it. You can't kill them from the couch!

If you're in good shape, you'll be just fine. Especially if you have stock lined up to help pack out if needed.

Get er done. I like it man. I think it’s a go for me

 

[BDH]

I hunted 53 from 2015 to 2023, minus 2018 and 2021 ( kids ) a wind storm in 2022 took out honey holes and lots of trails. My hunting partner and I killed 5 bulls in 53. There are easy to reach places in 53 that one could do solo, but the wilderness areas and the wind damaged areas ( look at google earth or onx) don’t go in there with anything less than a Ranger PLT. The pictures are the same location. You can see the rib cage of that bull in the deadfall pic. I will forever love 53, but I go to other units now. It still feels like I am cheating on 53 when I don’t put it on the application.

 

[Jnasa]

Whether you can or not physically you need to have a plan for the meat.

Will the temps allow you enough time to make multiple trips in and out before spoilage? Can you get it all out in a night and morning? Having a pack service might be a good idea.

 

[jadkins223]

I hunted 53 from 2015 to 2023, minus 2018 and 2021 ( kids ) a wind storm in 2022 took out honey holes and lots of trails. My hunting partner and I killed 5 bulls in 53. There are easy to reach places in 53 that one could do solo, but the wilderness areas and the wind damaged areas ( look at google earth or onx) don’t go in there with anything less than a Ranger PLT. The pictures are the same location. You can see the rib cage of that bull in the deadfall pic. I will forever love 53, but I go to other units now. It still feels like I am cheating on 53 when I don’t put it on the application.

Man those are some great memories you have in 53. Some sweat and tears into that area as well. That wind blown area looks like it will make you earn every bit of it.

Heck of a bull you tagged too. I hope to find success like you did. Thanks for sharing

 

[Aerosith]

I hunted archery in the unit last year. If you want me to be completely honest...

Do not buy the tag!

This unit is as rugged and nasty as it can get anywhere, expect heavy snow and thunderstorms anytime after the start of september. The elk density is fairly low and the country they live in can be tough to glass. By rifle season most if not all of the bigger bulls drop below treeline and are in nasty thick canyons near impossible to kill. There is a reason the rifle success rate in the unit is sub 10%. Not to mention I was 22 last year and the best shape of my life, and the unit still kicked my a$$. The deadfall is the worst you will have ever seen.
This is a terrible choice for a second year elk hunter, better value would be an otc elk tag in colorado Imo.

 

[Reporchie]

When is the hunt? The elk migrate away from the snow late season and you can find them in easy country. I’ve hunted 53 in December and October… very different hunting experiences.

 

[jadkins223]

When is the hunt? The elk migrate away from the snow late season and you can find them in easy country. I’ve hunted 53 in December and October… very different hunting experiences.

I haven’t bought the tag yet. Still considering it man. I’d like to give it a try

 

[Valley1320]

I haven’t bought the tag yet. Still considering it man. I’d like to give it a try

Do it! I wanna follow this on a live hunt