Which one to hunt, the Gila or Chama areas?

[SilverDollars]

Which one of these two areas do you prefer to hunt for 340+ bulls, the Gila or Chama areas of New Mexico, and why? I will be applying for tags and seriously looking into private ranch hunting. Either way, I want it first rate with an outfitter, guides, etc. It will be my first (and sadly perhaps only) hunt like this in my life(finances/age). I got a $8000 budget for the outfitter and hunting fees.

[Vanish]

Good luck with your hunt! I think most of the guys on here are DIY type, so I'm not sure how much help we'll be!

[Indian Summer]

Is the 8 grand for the hunt or door to door including travel, taxidermy etc.?

Not sure how you narrowed it down to those two spots. Both are incredible places to hunt. I've crossed paths with plenty of outfitters from all over. One from "down there" that comes to mind, but is out of Arizona, is Big Chino Guide Service. Google their reviews. Through the grapevine I know they are really nice guys to hunt with which is important right.

Remember.... killing elk is NEVER easy. You mentioned age is a factor. The Gila is tough country and there's some competition. You'd have your work cut out for you with no guarantees. Never a guarantee in real hunting so keep that in mind. Big Chino has a really high opportunity rate so I think you'll cross paths with a bull that you decide is worthy of your goal. But I'll caution you... 340 isn't something anyone can guarantee an older fella in 7 days of hunting. Guys hunt a lifetime looking for a bull like that. But they have them and their prices are well within your budget. They have public and private land hunts. Make a list of questions and give them a call. Hope that helps.

If I had to pick from the other two it would be Chama.

Good luck.

[cantgetdrawn]

Gila without question.

If you are looking for quality bulls the Southern part of the state is where you should be. Now the Chama area does have some good bulls, but not in the numbers of the Gila.

My impression is most of the bulls around Chama are in pretty much what you get in the OTC area of Colorado to the North (unit 81), again there are good bulls but no with the numbers that you see in the Gila.

[SilverDollars]

Thank you everyone! I am a public school teacher in Texas( I've been saving for awhile) and the budget I have is only for the "hunting rights", tips, and actual hunting expenses if you will. The transportation, taxidermy, meat processing with shipping, and other costs are not included in this amount. I will drive up from Central Texas as I am very familiar with New Mexico having been there many times through the years. I am mostly interested in private land hunts as it may fit my age limited abilities best(age 57 next yr) as well as being a "flat-lander". Yes, I know there are no guarantees, that is why it is called hunting and not shooting. I am just setting goals. I have narrowed it down to these areas because it seems that some of the other areas seem to produce more numbers of spindly looking racks compared to the mass I see come out of the two areas I listed. That is not to say there are not exceptions, but looking at years of harvested elk photos (from other parts of the state) indicate less mass regardless of the number of points. I want heavy mass versus spindly and perhaps more points. If you were down here Whitetail hunting, we wouldn't want you to shoot an immature buck unless there was reason to cull it. I just want to hunt and harvest an old one! When I'm Whitetail hunting, I want to find the oldest one to harvest. An old warrior is the prize for me on my hunts! Thanks again to everyone for your valuable input!!!

[Pmixmaster]

I live in New mexico and i will be hunting the Gila this year. Chama is predominately private land covered by outfitters and the GIla itself doesn't have much private land mostly NF there are some ranches but not like chama. And i don't agree with last poster about overall elk numbers chama is very plentiful with elk and has well established ranches that are in your price range, now he was right about the size your not going to find your 370-400 class bulls that you may come across in the gila but your not going to have a problem finding elk taht are worthy of your bullet or arrow. take a look at the lodge at chama or timbers or the fishtail ranch all are world renowned and will be amazing. If your into the gila which is slightly more gentle country take a look at trophy ridge outfitters. There are also several good ranches around unit 12 area easier terrain and have monster elk. NM is in my eyes the best state to elk hunt for quality the terrain is unparalleled in beauty. LEt me know if you additional questions

[cantgetdrawn]

SilverDollar:

You may want to consider units 34 or 36, if you find a landowner tag at a reasonable price. The Bulls in these units come very close to those of the Gila.

There is also unit 35 which is the best unit in the state (Grin). That is the Mescalero Apache Reservation, but it is very pricey. I think bull tags were going for around $15k and you still have to go through their drawing process.

Just to clarify when I said the numbers were better in the Gila than around Chama, I was referring the quantity of big bulls not the total number of elk.

[SilverDollars]

Yes, the Gila seems to be the area for size, not necessarily numbers. And, if I can find the right outfitter....

[cantgetdrawn]

I forgot to mention, units 34 and 36 will save you around 4 hours of driving from most places in TX compared to the Gila.

[Trophyhill]

Are you kidding me? Gila for sure. You may as well hunt just north in a CO OTC unit if Chama is on the list.

[SilverDollars]

Thanks Pmixmaster, cantgetdrawn, Trophyhill, and others!!!

You are right in the saving driving time, but in this area the bulls look spindly, when I check the outfitter's image galleries. And I've heard about everyone lining up for those bulls leaving the reservation.

I think you are right about the Chama area. I could just ease on into CO and do exactly that.

The Gila is looking the best so far! If it were you, which hunting area would you chose? If you were in need of an outfitter, who you would use for this hunt?