New Mexico Elk hunting?

[DFM]

Anyone try New Mexico for elk hunting ? Thinking about checking it out , Thanks 

[wildwoody]

a few on here do

[tomgobbler]

Depends on were ya go - / outfitter you use - some private land you have to watch out for - there is no bonus point system so the draw is the same chances every year ….. except if you put in through an outfitter then odds go up because your in a separate pool and the odds are better through the outfitter - but if you do put in with them you have to hunt with them I think it is at least the first 3 days of the hunt . Muzzle loader rules changed. Few years ago , to no scopes - you have to read up on it - if there are other limitations I can’t remember off the to of my head  …. Prices increased the last few years as well - but like anywhere depends on the unit you go the hunting can be good …. 
 

[knothead]

I have hunted unit 9, 34 and Valle Vidal.  Unit 9 & 34 have lots of private land issues for my liking.  I prefer an "average" AZ unit to anything I have ever hunted in NM.  It's too bad too. They have more elk, habitat and less people.  NM is a beautiful state but Land owners and outfitters rule the hunting.  The draw is a straight draw so you don't have to worry about having a bunch of points.

[DFM]

Okay thanks appreciate the info. Going to also call NMGand F . Look at the units bordering AZ . Maybe get some info on Coues also 👍

[yotebuster]

I’ve never hunted coues over there, but have hunted several of the units in the Gila.  The archery hunts can be great, the rifle and muzzy seasons are usually tail end of rut.  I’ve found they’ll be in the cows decent until the second the hunt starts and that’s their cue to get out of dodge.   They’re all super hard to draw anymore, the big tag cut about 8-10 years ago made it tough.  We used to draw a couple tags a year between me and my family, now it’s a tag about every 5 years between all of us. 

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

We put in the last 6 years with no tags, not high demand area either. I believe they only do 2 percent tags to non res.

[naturebob]

8 minutes ago, MULEPACKHUNTER said:

We put in the last 6 years with no tags, not high demand area either. I believe they only do 2 percent tags to non res.

I used to hunt it alot . Since they changed the odds and raised prices I haven't put in in 10 years . It's like 4 or 6% odds but very few tags for non resident and you have to buy a licsense.  Almost not worth it. I did Turkey hunt the Gila last Spring and it'S dry as could be.  Gotta be worse this year . Good Luck......................BOB!