Unit 16B - Archery - Outfitter?

[CastAndBlast]

I got drawn for the second half of archery in unit 16b this season! I am looking for any outfitter suggestions that yall may have.

TIA

[Reasonable]

New Mexico I assume? If so, I drew the tag last year and can provide some feedback.

[CastAndBlast]

New Mexico I assume? If so, I drew the tag last year and can provide some feedback.

Yes sir

[CastAndBlast]

The list I have so far:

Desert Meadow Outfitters
LOH Outfitters
Gila Trophy Hunts
Gary Webb Outfitters
New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting Inc.

[C R Cox]

You can give

H&A outfitters a call they’re in 15 & 16 every year and have some really good guides

[CastAndBlast]

You can give

H&A outfitters a call they’re in 15 & 16 every year and have some really good guides

Thank you. I will give them a shout

[Reasonable]

Congrats on the tag!

I talked to LOH last year and they were not guiding in the wilderness. They might be this year, but they were up front with me on that, didn't string me along, etc. I would recommend visiting with them, but can't speak to their services.

I hunted with New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting and the experience did not meet my expectations. I chose them because the family has hunted the area for decades and I wanted someone with very local knowledge. They originally told me we'd be day hunting from an adjacent unit with a couple of other hunters and a few guides in camp (1x1 hunting). Two weeks ahead of time they switched it up and I ended up riding in on horseback with an unprepared/inexperienced 21 year old who was guiding for them for the second time. My guide's phone worked...he talked to his girlfriend and his dad a few times...but not once did he reach out to the outfitter to see if they were on the elk where they were. Over the course of 7 days we saw two decent bulls (from afar) but had zero opportunities.

Fortunately, I planned to hunt the entire two-week season and on day 8 (my first day solo), I shot a nice bull 8.5 miles from the truck. I will give credit where credit is due - I reached out to the outfitter and he was able to connect me with a packer.

After 1st and 2nd archery season were over, I got in touch with the outfitter. I let him know that I hired them due to their family name and experience in the area...and that I felt like I had not gotten what I signed up for when they put me with an unprepared 21-year old who had only hunted with them once. They said that I asked for a 1x1 hunt, and they gave me a 1x1 hunt.

Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic, but they fell way short of them. I felt like I needed to get an outfitter on this trip because it's a rare tag. If I were to draw it again I would certainly not get an outfitter but I might get a drop camp. If you are willing to put in the work - fitness, calling, archery, mental - I would say that a 1x1 guided trip is a risky move unless you know exactly which guide you will be hunting with and you're comfortable with them. I'm more than happy to share more info if you'd like. It's a fun hunt!

[Muleyhunter]

David Silva at Gila DNA, grew up there knows 16 like the back of his hand.

[Wolfpack0311]

Second H&A outfitters, Andy Salgado is top notch

[CastAndBlast]

Thank you! I will call him next week when I get back in town.

[CastAndBlast]

Congrats on the tag!

I talked to LOH last year and they were not guiding in the wilderness. They might be this year, but they were up front with me on that, didn't string me along, etc. I would recommend visiting with them, but can't speak to their services.

I hunted with New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting and the experience did not meet my expectations. I chose them because the family has hunted the area for decades and I wanted someone with very local knowledge. They originally told me we'd be day hunting from an adjacent unit with a couple of other hunters and a few guides in camp (1x1 hunting). Two weeks ahead of time they switched it up and I ended up riding in on horseback with an unprepared/inexperienced 21 year old who was guiding for them for the second time. My guide's phone worked...he talked to his girlfriend and his dad a few times...but not once did he reach out to the outfitter to see if they were on the elk where they were. Over the course of 7 days we saw two decent bulls (from afar) but had zero opportunities.

Fortunately, I planned to hunt the entire two-week season and on day 8 (my first day solo), I shot a nice bull 8.5 miles from the truck. I will give credit where credit is due - I reached out to the outfitter and he was able to connect me with a packer.

After 1st and 2nd archery season were over, I got in touch with the outfitter. I let him know that I hired them due to their family name and experience in the area...and that I felt like I had not gotten what I signed up for when they put me with an unprepared 21-year old who had only hunted with them once. They said that I asked for a 1x1 hunt, and they gave me a 1x1 hunt.

Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic, but they fell way short of them. I felt like I needed to get an outfitter on this trip because it's a rare tag. If I were to draw it again I would certainly not get an outfitter but I might get a drop camp. If you are willing to put in the work - fitness, calling, archery, mental - I would say that a 1x1 guided trip is a risky move unless you know exactly which guide you will be hunting with and you're comfortable with them. I'm more than happy to share more info if you'd like. It's a fun hunt!

Thank you for the heads up! I was afraid of that with NMPBGH.

[Vargas 1695]

Are you gonna be able to do any scouting in the unit this summer?

[TheGreyGhost]

I hunted With LOH a couple of years ago. If they are guiding in those units I would highly recommend getting in touch with them. The guides were extremely knowledgeable of the area we hunted. Me and my son both got bulls. We each had our own guide and both equally great. Jerry Blake one of the owners of LOH is a great guy. He’ll be upfront and straight with you. Highly recommend.

[Bulldawg87]

The Black Fire last year burned up a lot of 16B. If it gets good rains, should be some really good forage in there.

Even last year by elk season, in some areas in 16C it already had good growth. I do think some of 16B burned hotter and got scorched too.

But should be an awesome hunt with lots of elk!

[gburk]

Congrats… I would hire San Francisco river outfitters if I had that tag.