I flunked in CO How about NM?

[navet]

I hunted elk in CO this bow season and got skunked as in nada nothing. I have a chance to archery hunt New Mexico unit 34 late season..as in dec 13-17. It would be bull with at least 6 points on one side. My questions would be.
1. How would you hunt bulls not in the rut and part of a herd? No calling or use cow calls?
2. Are there enough 6x bulls in that unit to spend 600$ on a tag?
3. I hunted steep country in CO. is New Mexico less steep?
4. Guide or no guide?
Thanks for the help guys
Nathan

[rowdycwby1]

There's plenty of 6x6 in unit 34 and it only has to have 6 on one side now and how steep all depends on where you hunt that unit some places are steep but there's plenty of elk that aren't in steep country. Good luck getting a tag they go on sale Oct. 29 for residents and Nonresident the 30th and there usually gone before NR'S can get them. During late season I would glass a bunch and then spot and stalk. If you get a tag I can suggest a few places to go and a good place to stay for pretty cheap.

[pointysticks]

you going for one of the leftover tags?

200 unit 34 tags, right? they offer it to the residents first..and us non-res all get to fight for the remaining five.

that unit is huge. describing the terrain is difficult. it kinda has it all.

[easeup]

I've heard those tags will sell out in about 45 seconds.

[cantgetdrawn]

That hunt is a tough hunt since they are not bugling. I hunted Barbary sheep there in-between an elk and deer hunt in unit 36. They made most of the unit OTC for sheep. The part of the unit I hunt is right where the mountain turns from pine to juniper and pinones to a desert type landscape so its pretty step. They've had a lot of rain this year so in all tanks will probability still be full come December even without snow on the ground.

We saw plenty of bulls (about a dozen or so) mainly 5x5s, but we did see some 6x6s. One day while glassing for Sheep we spotted a big 6x6 (I estimate about 370) bedded in a deep canyon right at the edge of where I would say elk country ends and sheep country begins. He did not start moving until about 15 minutes before legal shooting light ended. For anyone who shot him in that canyon would have a heck of a packing job out, but it would be worth it.

[navet]

I figured my chances were slim to zero.
I will hit you up rowdy if I get lucky.
Pointy..you gonna try for one of those also?
Is there usually snow by that time of year?

[pointysticks]

Unit 36 is my stomping ground.

Unit 34 was my mtn biking Mecca.

I will be on vacation during that time. So no. I can't even try. I have before and the non res has almost zero chance. Fun to try.

[navet]

Pointy..where is the best mountain bike trails there? I would love to ride there in the summer.
I road Telluride this year(gentleman's loop) after my elk hunt and it was awesome
Own thread hijack over.....

[pointysticks]

Rim trail
Brutal. Near cloudcroft.