Anyone hunted the Gila?

[tboltjade]

I'm stoked to have drawn a unit 16c bow tag for elk in new mexico! Hoping that some of you have maybe hunted around down there before and can lend a little insight. It's the sept 11-18 hunt so I'm hoping the rut will be in full swing by then. I've never been to New mexico and am also wondering when the best time would be for a scouting trip. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[jackelope]

There's a few on here who have hunted it. You should get some responses. Make sure you post up a report and some photos when you're back.

[grousetracker]

that weeks a little early but you should do well on the sattelite bulls. hunted ARCO several times and saw thousands of elk but mostly on the private lands. if i go back i will buy a landowner permit.

[Alaskan]

I have hunted unit 17 twice and unit 13 once. Your time frame is early but still can be productive. Let me know if you need any advice

[nwhunter]

I went with my brother on his 3rd season hunt in 16A in 2011. The gila is awesome and I assume 16c is similar to where we were. Basically elk everywhere but they dont come to a call very well. During that 2nd season depending on the weather if its dry and warm finding water to sit on will be important. They should be bugling some in the am and pm and once you figure out their circuit from bedding to feeding and vise versa its a game of intercepting and chasing bugles. Scouting for water holes would be helpful and getting info from previous tagholders would be great. There was a huge fire down there last year , not sure if it affected your unit or not. From what I saw and have read the hype about huge gila bulls is overrated and 300-320 is a good bull with obviously bigger bulls possible but few and far between. Either way you will have fun and good luck, nwhunter

[bow4elk]

I drew 16c twice...great unit, saw some huge bulls but it was tough getting shot opportunities.  I called in a 352" bull for my partner on our second hunt.  Glad to share my insights if you want to talk. 

[heavy hauler]

i would not make a scouting trip. just show up a few days early. great hunting. good luck

[tboltjade]

Ya, thats what I'm thinking I'm going to do!

[heavy hauler]

keep us posted 

[PAW66]

A friend hunted that area last year, and the bulls were screaming.  Our guide killed a 350 typical the week before. We passed on three 320 bulls wanting one bigger. Had shots at a larger 340-350 bull and missed. Should be a great hunt, Good luck

[brianmtsinc]

I hunted NM for the first time last year with my grand daughter in Unit 15 and could not believe the amount of Elk I saw.  (Trying to get a land owner tag for this year for myself).  We hunted around Oct 9 and the bulls were screaming their heads off !!  It was a amazing! 

15 doesnt border 16c, but it really is not that far.  Beautiful country!  Looking forward to hearing your stories!! 

[tboltjade]

Thanks for all the replies. I will definitely let you all know how it goes.

[boneaddict]

I went without a scouting trip.   Invest in some maps and if you can read them at all you will be able to figure it out quickly. Go a day or two early.   With back to back seasons animals are moving all over the place so preseason scouting is kind of a waste when you can see it all on a map.      Its not like Washington or Oregon at all in regards to getting off the roads.   The animals are also different.  Young bulls grow FAST!  Less mass way more length.   Its AWESOME.  A TON of elk.  A lot will depend on when the rainy season comes through or wraps up.   Find water you will find elk.  Remember you are hunting in a desert, BUT, their green season is that time of year.  It looks like our May.    The elk were firing really good about the 18th when I was down there.  It seems like I killed mine on the 19th, but my memory is getting foggy it seems these days.   You will have a lot of pressure from big Hunting companies like US outfitters.   When I was down there they were hanging HUNDREDS of trail cams.  THey had them on EVERY water hole.  The way the soil is, a water hole maybe a mudpuddle in the road.  You'll find bull pits/wallows in the MIDDLE of the road.

[boneaddict]

Trees really start growing at about 7,000-8,000 feet.   Below that, is scrub.   It burned really bad down there two years ago maybe.   They may have lost a lot of cover.   A lot of folks like to hunt the open and ambush the bulls/herds moving through.  THey spot them, set up in front of and nail them.   

Wolves have established themselves well.  I hear it is starting to shut the elk up a bit.   Yes, you cant seem to get away from them.   

[boneaddict]

I think I took some scenery shots of 16c.   I'll have to check the map to be sure I have the right side(unit) and also find the pics on a harddrive somewhere.  It was pre fire and not sure what part of that unit if that part of the unit burned.   I noted a previous burn and after two years was mecca elk habitat with grasses and such.   Watching the elk herds graze through reminded me of footage of the Serengeti.  Pretty cool listening to that many bulls chorus as well.

[TheHunt]

I have hunted 17 & 15 before... 

There are  tons of elk.  I flew over the unit to find the water and then the next day found those areas on foot.  Over all you will need to call well and if you are going down with a partner you will need to be a better caller to get them to respond. 

[et1702]

I have hunted Unit 6B, which is the Valles Caldera in north central NM twice in the last 5yrs.  Shot my 360" bull there last year.  My hunt started on Sept. 14th last year and they were already screaming their heads off.  Several groups went to bedding areas and continued to bugle ALL DAY.  I shot my bull on Sunday the 16th.

When I went in 2008, my hunt started the day after Labor Day (5th that year, I think).  Shot my bull on the last day of my hunt, the 11th.  They were already talking at the beginning of the hunt and the activity just kept getting louder and longer each day as the week progressed.  So, you shouldn't have much problem locating elk.  Should be an awesome hunt.  Keep us posted!

ET

[TheHunt]

i would not make a scouting trip. just show up a few days early. great hunting. good luck

Great advice