Help needed - NM Unit 15 Elk hunt w/ Grand daughter

[brianmtsinc]

I received a call last night from my 14 yr old grand daughter asking me if I could come along and help her fill her Unit 15 either sex youth elk tag!!   

I have never hunted NM, just returned from 2 weeks hunting here in WA and am slammed at work, so I don't really have any time to do much research.  We only have 1.5 days to hunt - Oct 6th and 7th.  Her Dad is not much of a hunter and will be staying back at camp with his younger son, so it will just be her and I out looking for elk. 

She has never shot anything, so any elk will probably due, but I am wondering for those that have hunted there before:  Can I be successful calling in NM in the same manner I call here?  We call a lot, and some think that is a bad plan, but we kill elk consistently, so I believe aggressive calling works.  But will that work in NM? 

ANY input at all is greatly appreciated!!  I am so excited that my Grand Daughter called me and asked me to be a part of this!  I think she has high expectations of me and I want to make this very short hunt a hunt of her lifetime! 

Thank you in advance! 
Brian

[boneaddict]

Lots of elk in 15.  It will look different to you as their rainy season is right now, or wrapping up.   Very green.   Find water and you will find elk.  They make traps to hold water, big pits.    There will be alot of people sign as the USO guides are all over looking for big bulls.  THEY DO NOT OWN the waterholes.  They had some big fires down there last year, so not sure what the landscape looks like now.   Most of the timber is about 7-8 thousand feet (THeir mountains start higher than ours)  Some very open country with juniper.  You'll love the difference in country

[brianmtsinc]

Thanks Bone!!  I appreciate your input very much!!

I have always wanted to hunt there, and wish I had a lot of time to prep, research and plan, but I don't so I will make the best of it!  I know there are some guys on here that have hunted there and I was hopeful you were one of them! 

I assume they will still be bugling pretty good?  This might be a dumb question, but will I need snake boots?  Not a snake fan at all 

[Maligator]

Well congrats on the draw to your grand daughter and good luck to you both. Some of my best memories are of me and my grandpa out hunting together. I can't help you with info but I sure can wish you well 

[boneaddict]

We camped at 8,000 and I killed my bull at exactly 10,000 feet.   Though its the desert, I never really thought of snakes.   Its much like our woods on the eastside at about 4-5,000.   I suppose since I live in snake country and have my whole life, I always have one eye  looking for them, but didn't see any.   I hunted across the road from 15.   I'll see if I have any photos to give you an idea of the terrain at least.    The elk start earlier down there than here.   Not sure when they quit.   

Be mindful of wolves believe it or not.  You'll note cages built alongside the road.  I asked why or what they were for. (it looked like at bus stops)  Sure as hell, its because the wolves introduced there went after some school kids while waiting for the bus.   Most of the wolves were in the east quadrant of 16D.  Shortly after I left, a rancher shot one gutting one of his cows.   Thats where I saw all of the sign.   I think they are a different species than the ones we have. "Mexican Grey" 

[cjensen]

I just got back from New Mexico hunting in Unit 6A.  The bulls are very vocal.  We called in 20 or so bulls...we challenged some bulls that felt like fighting, and others came screaming in to cow calls.   Towards the end we ended up being able to just sneak up on bulls that were going nuts without calling.   We were also hunting at above 10,000 feet, and surprisingly enough it wasnt as bad as I thought.   Several of the satellite bulls there were well over 300+ 6 points.    Just nuts!  Have fun!

[brianmtsinc]

Bone,
Again, thanks for the input!  I guess I will be wearing my boots vs my preferred hiking shoes.  I will keep my fingers crossed that I don't see any snakes, but will keep my eyes focused in case I do. 

I sure wish I had more time and info from her dad.  He tells me not to worry about it that she will have fun, and I know thats true.  But this sounds like a tag I would give my right arm for and he is acting like it is no big deal 

Either way, I can't wait to spend some time with my grand daughter in the woods!!   

Cjensen,
Sounds like you had a great time!   Do you think they will still be going 2 weeks from now?  She has a muzzle loader, that I don't believe she has shot much, so I am really hoping to be able to get her close - like bow range! 

I will update this when I get back. 

Thanks again!
Brian

[et1702]

Just filled my NM tag in Unit 6B (Valles Caldera) last week.  Bulls are going CRAZY!!!  Unit 15 has some great elk hunting opportunity.  Sorry I can't point you to more specific location.  But, as others have mentioned, find a secluded water hole to hunt and you will see elk.  FYI, NMGF have a lot of small tanks in some of these areas.  These small tanks aren't much bigger than a bathtub and are usually fed by a nearby spring.  Good spots to set up if you can find them.  Also, there are lots of earthen dikes across washes which fill up when it rains (as its cattle country too).  Lots of these hold water most of the year.  Again, try to find a secluded one and set up there for an afternoon hunt.

[Ridgerunner]

Let's see that Valdez caldera bull, that place is a dream

[et1702]

Let's see that Valdez caldera bull, that place is a dream

I've been trying to post all afternoon, and can't seem to get the pics uploaded.  Will try again when I get home.

ET

[brianmtsinc]

Well, I am done with work down here in FL for the last week+ , and will be flying to NM tomorrow.  I can't wait!!  I talked to my Grand daughter today and she is SO Excited!!! 

I hope they are still talking when I get there Saturday.       If they are, I would like to think I can get her close enough for an opportunity.

I will post up stories and hopefully pics early next week!!!   
Thanks!
Brian

[carpsniperg2]

GL

[brianmtsinc]

I am happy to report, that not only was it an amazing 2 days of hunting, but my grand daughter was successful and tagged her first animal!!  She had a chance at a 340+ at 40 yards on our first morning but she could not find an open lane.  Then several other opportunities later that night.....

I will post up the full story later (I have to tell my hunting partner the details first )     

Thanks to those that offered up your advice!  pics and more stories later....

[Bean Counter]

yay! way to go 

[TheHunt]

Unit 15 has lots of access and a pretty big unit.  I hunted years ago.  If you are rifle hunting you will not have a problem.  There are lots of elk the last time I was down there.  Just remember red clay + Rain = red snot.

SHould have a blast.