any DIY elk and mule deer hunters on here

[huntingfanatic]

o you have Google Earth? That is one neat piece of scouting!

X2 X3 X4.............

[IDAHO_BOWMEN]

I have a 12 by 60 Nikon I think it set me back about 800 but it is worth every penny, and my Binos are 8x42 Monarch ATBs they are great glass for the money. Whatever you do dont be cheap on optics,buy the best ones you can afford. I promise you they will make are break you trip.

[JTeLarkin08]

I was told unit 34 is a good unit to apply for.. Everyone on AT is saying how hard it is to get a NM elk tag. But a guy on there said he has gotten a mulie and an elk the last 3 years for unit 34. I want to go shoot a mulie more than an elk but i want both tags wherever i go so if the oportunity presents itself. I really dont care what state i hunt i just want to go run up the mountains.

[rtread]

I was told unit 34 is a good unit to apply for.. Everyone on AT is saying how hard it is to get a NM elk tag. But a guy on there said he has gotten a mulie and an elk the last 3 years for unit 34. I want to go shoot a mulie more than an elk but i want both tags wherever i go so if the oportunity presents itself. I really dont care what state i hunt i just want to go run up the mountains.

thebomb6_99 is overseas now but he was stationed at Alamogorda and is real familiar with elk hunting in unit 34.....might check with him for info.

[Dc78]

We have put in for 34 elk two years now have not draw. Put in for mule deer this year. Was disapointed in deer population. Saw 6 bucks in 7 days. 5 where shooters, one was whitetail.

[ladrones]

If applying for a NM tag you will have to get a customer id number. Really easy process. Non residents application fees have gone up to 12 dollars. Soon all of the hunt applied for will have to have the cash up front to apply for the hunt. May help with odds a bit.

Info on ID number:


ALBUQUERQUE - The Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters to obtain a customer identification number - new this year - before applying for hunting licenses or permits in the annual drawings.

The department plans to make Customer ID Numbers available beginning Jan. 12 - online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by visiting a department office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Las Cruces or Roswell.

Customer ID Numbers are free and are required whether applications are made online or on paper applications.

Deer and elk hunters also are reminded to submit mandatory hunter harvest reports or risk having their applications for all hunt drawings rejected.

Harvest reports must be submitted before the drawing application deadline or by Feb. 15, whichever is earlier.

Reports can be submitted online at www.newmexicohunt.com, or by calling toll-free, 888-248-6866.

The next drawing application deadline is Feb. 4, for oryx draw licenses, bear WMA permits, population management hunt, and turkey draw permits.

April 8 is the deadline to apply for public deer permits; and elk, pronghorn antelope, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and bighorn sheep draw licenses.

Online applications must be made before 5 p.m., Mountain Time, on the deadline day.

Paper applications must be delivered or postmarked on or before the deadline day.

New rules this year

Also new this year:


Full fee up-front: Everyone applying for a pronghorn, bighorn sheep,
ibex, javelina or Barbary sheep draw license must pay the full license and application fee when applying.
Online applicants will be charged for the full license fee, plus the nonrefundable application fee at the time of application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive refunds.

This requirement will expand to include deer and elk license applications in 2010.


New application fees: The new nonrefundable application fees are $9 for residents and $12 for nonresidents.
For more information about big-game hunting in New Mexico, consult the 2009-10 Big Game & Trapper Rules and Information Booklet, available at all license vendors, department offices, and online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Information also is available by calling 505-476-8000.


Commission meeting
The State Game Commission will open the new year with a new chairman and vice chairwoman at a special meeting Saturday, Jan. 10, at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

The commission ended 2008 by electing Jim McClintic of Albuquerque as chairman and Sandy Buffett of Santa Fe as vice chairwoman. McClintic replaces Tom Arvas of Albuquerque and Buffett replaces M.H. "Dutch" Salmon of Silver City. Arvas and Salmon will remain on the commission.

The Jan. 10 meeting was called specifically on a Saturday to allow more opportunities for the public to participate in an effort to better define rules regarding hunting, fishing and trapping on private lands.

The meeting will address proposed amendments to state hunting and fishing manner-and-method rules, and the responsibilities of landowners, hunters and anglers in obtaining or granting permission to hunt or fish on private land.

The land access issue is the only item on the agenda, and no decisions will be made about the issue at the meeting.

The meeting will be from 1 to 4 p.m., Jan. 10, in the first-floor multi-purpose room of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, in Albuquerque.

The draft rule proposal is available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Call 505-476-8008 for more information.

The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state's diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

Current members are Chairman Jim McClintic, Albuquerque; Vice chairwoman Sandy Buffett, Santa Fe; M.H. "Dutch" Salmon, Silver City; Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; Leo Sims, Hobbs; Tom Arvas, Albuquerque; and Oscar Simpson, Albuquerque.

[JTeLarkin08]

so where would you guys that have done public land elk and mulie hunts go?? I dont really care about size of animals. I just want to go somewhere that i will see animals and get a shot at something. I would also like to be able to buy a bear tag over the counter so if i see one i can try to get a shot.

[ladrones]

34 is a good unit with alot of elk numbers. Lot of hunters also.

[scubasteven25]

I live in New Mexico currently. Units 34 and 36 are tough to draw even for residents. Almost any unit in the center of the state is a tough draw. I have many friends who hunt for elk and two in particular goes to unit 51. One has been there for 5 years straight and come out with 3 cows and 1 bull all taken by bow. The other has been going for 3 years straight and tagged out each time on cows. He had chances at bulls, but couldn't close the deal with his bow. Not a lot of hunting tracffic in that unit. You shouldn't expect to get a monster bull in that unit, but it has plenty of animals and some bears to boot.

If you PM me, I can crunch the numbers and determine good draw odds for non-residents (25% or better). I have the entire numbers downloaded and highlighted in front of me. A couple of questions I have:

1. What's the weapon of choice?
2. What kind of success rate are you looking for? (20%, 35%, 40%+)
3. Would you be interested in an anterless only tag?

Just send the answers in a PM if you want me to do this.

[ladrones]

Steve how long did it take you to get drawn for resident antelope?

[scubasteven25]

Steve how long did it take you to get drawn for resident antelope?

Actually I bought a unit wide tag last year from someone I found through a friend. I might do the same thing again this year. Slim to none are the chances on the antelope tags as you probably know, but I keep putting in each year.

Check your PM box ladrones.

[chongo]

Also - look into a packer - if you are a couple miles in and you smoke an elk - you are looking at at least 4 trips - to get all the meat out and your run the risk of losing some meat - I hear llamas are popular and some folks will rent them out.

Also if you are going muley hunting pickup the book "Public Land Mulies, the bottom Line" by David Long. Reall good read with tons of info.

[bowhuntingw]

what is a good spotting scope that is 1000$ or less?? I need a good one but im not paying for a sworovski

check out Vortex. excelletn spotting scopes. better than my buddies leupold we used to use in montana.

[Bill]

To answer your question, on National Forest lands you can camp pretty much anywhere you want, depending on how dry it is there may be open-fire prohibitions. Colorado and Oregon both have OTC archery elk tags. You can find out a lot about the areas if you start early and call the game department in the state, talk to wildlife biologists and game wardens in an area, call local wild-game butchers and taxidermists who have a vested interest in your being successful hunting.

[Bilbo]

Good luck drawing a tag in Unit 34 or even 36 for that matter. I put in for 52 and 55 last year and didn't get drawn. You may look into Colorado. They have OTC archery tags as well as rifle. Then, all you have to do is pick a spot and go.