Gila Elk

[Trophyhill]

Not sure if some of you know about the Gila and this bull I killed there in 2012 during the first archery hunt but this unit is a special place. Very unique unto itself in habitat and terrain in SW NM. The elevation isn't what I hunt in CO and the landscape is mixed alligator juniper, pinon pine and a couple other types of pine. There is alot of up and down and at times very rugged terrain that will test even the most seasoned and in shape elk hunter. The rock will let you know right away if you made the right choice on your boots. The ridges aren't long and as defined as you will find in the CO rockies either. But for some reason the elk thrive and have bigger bodies than most other Rocky Mountain elk. The bull in the pic scored 328. For me hes a true trophy. But......while I was there I screwed up a couple opportunities on some bulls that made this guy look small. This was during the early part of September in warm/hot temps and elk weren't very loud and lazy bugles seemed to be the norm during daylight hours. (Although I did get a few bulls worked up that were guarding their harems)

Today I got great news! I'm going back for second archery elk. September 15-24. God I hope a cow doesn't step out and stand broadside at 30 yards

[WapitiTalk1]

Awesome David! Congrats on getting a repeat trip to the land of the big bulls. Now, I'd ask that you write on a chalk board, over and over, no cows..no cows..no cows..no cows 10,000 times

[otcWill]

Man, I'm jealous! Please don't shoot a cow in what is a dream unit for most of us:)! Just messing with ya. Shoot what you're happy with, just tell us about it! Good luck

[Trophyhill]

lmao Rory. I don't have a chalk board but I do have a whiteboard in my job trailer.

OctWill, yes this is a dream hunt and very tough to draw even for residents. I feel extremely lucky right now and on cloud 9. they did away with the 3rd hunt this year. my buddy drew that 3rd hunt last year and he said it was phenominal during this time i'll be hunting. screamin elk all over the place. he killed a nice 320 7x7 that he is still kicking him self for. opening day of his hunt lol.

[Huntmaster]

Good Luck! I've had great luck drawing tags in NM, I've been in the Gila twice in my four times applying... Now I can't say the same about killing elk...

[BrentLaBere]

Wow, Congrats! Have fun and keep us updated.

[Wapiti7]

Did you shoot that bull in his bed? Man, those elk love those thick juniper patches to bed. Only thing better than cutting wood in that country is killing an elk there. That picture reminds me of the country where we drew our 3rd choice this year (1st hunt).

[Trophyhill]

Did you shoot that bull in his bed? Man, those elk love those thick juniper patches to bed. Only thing better than cutting wood in that country is killing an elk there. That picture reminds me of the country where we drew our 3rd choice this year (1st hunt).

not quite in his bed but in his bedding area. this elk gave me a "lazy bugle". that was his mistake. he told me where his bed was. that was in the mid afternoon. I waited him out on the edge of the juniper and a large meadow during the all day drizzle and snuck in when the rain stopped and I figured he was up out of his bed after 4 pm. I found his bed and he was gone. I bugled from it and for the next 10 minutes the cat and mouse game began as he answered me back right away and wasn't too happy about it. he fell right where I took this picture. like he was meant to pose for me. I have to tell you guys that this was an awesome hunt and my first bull after several cows in previous years leading up to this. I've responded to more than a few threads on "silent elk" and you really can kill and get elk to respond early season when they are "silent". you just have to be patient and not rush it. it's almost like when the time is ripe, you know when it's time to get aggressive with calling and or your actions. I killed 2 bulls like this in consecutive years. 1 in NM and 1 in CO.

This solidifies my belief that no matter what state or area a guy hunts, elk are still elk and act like elk. whether in a draw unit or OTC heavily pressured unit. once we find the things that work, they can be used no matter where we hunt. Paul has talked about this a lot and I believe he started a thread a while back on the subject of are elk different or act different in different states or something to that effect. I wish I could remember the title of that thread.

disclaimer; by no means am I an elk expert but this obsession sure is fun and learning from the elk on every hunt is a blast!

[cantgetdrawn]

Thanks for posting. I can't wait to start scouting.

How were the streams when you hunted 16B last time. I plan to spike camp. Is there enough water in the streams or does one have to carry drinking water for the whole time they will be there.

[Trophyhill]

Thanks for posting. I can't wait to start scouting.

How were the streams when you hunted 16B last time. I plan to spike camp. Is there enough water in the streams or does one have to carry drinking water for the whole time they will be there.

Most of the tanks were dry where I hunted but there were pools in the rocks in the bottoms of some of the drainage. Elk will travel long distances for water if they ave to. You are gonna love this hunt!

[cantgetdrawn]

Thanks Dave

I was more concerned with packing water in so I could get in-between the horse hunter and the trail-head hunters. Your answer however answered my question.

Thanks Again.

[Trophyhill]

Thanks Dave

I was more concerned with packing water in so I could get in-between the horse hunter and the trail-head hunters. Your answer however answered my question.

Thanks Again.

Its going to depend on whether we get much rain or not. Packing water in a couple weaks early may be the way to go depending on where you will be. And it gives you a chance to scout the ridges and drainages you'll no doubt be looking at on GE

[slim9300]

If you shoot a cow, I will shoot you David!

I see a 350+" bull in your near future. Get back into those giants and don't give up!

[welka]

The Gila has giants. We were at the base and saw several 375+ bulls and then the cowboys moved in and pushed them. We found them on the last day, but too late. As far as hunting the Gila, hook up with an OF that goes deep or if on our own, get way back to avoid the crowds.