I'm baaaacccckkkkk.....

[bald9eagle]

Lol.
So its been a while since picking the brains of seasoned elk professionals. My buddy has thrown out the idea of going to New Mexico with San Juan River Outfitters. What do we know about both New Mexico and this outfitter?

My dream hunt involves aspens, Rocky Mountains, dark timber, and bugling bulls....BUTTTT, an elk hunt is an elk hunt. What does the uninitiated need to know about NM?

[ElkNut1]

Looks like we have the same dreams! (grin) Glad to see you come back around. I've hunted NM & don't see any difference in hunting those bulls to any state we've hunted. What time frame are you considering?

ElkNut1

[bald9eagle]

Early bow season. My buddy is a big guy, 280-300#. He laughs and says that NM looks flatter. Here I am with heart issues wanting to hit the most rugged terrain and he's wanting flat land. Lol. I'll say this for him. For a guy his weight he isn't just really fat. Big barrel chested kind of guy.

I've studied CO pretty hard, as you know. I've read in Western Hunter that Idaho isn't as friendly to NR as other states. Wyoming and Montana scare my buddies cause of grizzlies. Utah is an option. Arizona may be out of range price wise.

For me it's not about harvesting. I just want boots on the ground. The other guys think to spend that kind of money you better come home with something.

[Passin Thru]

I don't really panic about the bring home the meat. Maybe I've hunted too long. It's the idea, the vacation, the living in the mountains that I Love. If I get a Bull fine but it doesn't mean I am pressured. Just sneaking around home farm last evening and saw 4 whitetail bucks. One was huge with a really nice rack and the other 3 were normal. Figure I can sneak up on an Elk. Got 2 weeks to scout and 5 days to sneak up. Lived in NM and some of it is quite rough including the Malpais.

[bald9eagle]

Maybe someone can answer this (too lazy to search for it). How many party applications can be submitted? Say I had the $1500 to drop on applications. Can I apply for one with me being the name on the application and my my buddy apply for another party permit with his name being on it?

Do all four applicants have to pay when application is submitted or just the one guy? Does that make sense?

[pointysticks]

no can do.

but just to get this straight..you want to form a party, and let your friend join. then have your friend form a party, and then you join his..so you can double your chances?

if so, no can do. when you apply for a tag, it ask you if you are joining a party or forming a party. you cannot do both. you can only enter once. and you pay when you enter. everyone.

and NM is some steep stuff. super steep.

[bald9eagle]

You nailed it. I assumed that was how it was.

As for the terrain.....hehe....I'm just going to let my buddy keep believing that it's flat. I had a pretty good idea but I wasn't going to tell him any different.