Contributors to this thread:
Long time listener.... First time caller. I have appreciated the information I have gained over the years from all who have contributed. I hope to share my knowledge that I have gained with all who visit this site. In the meantime, I was hoping to find someone who would share some info on NM Archery Elk Unit 13. I was one of the lucky ones and now begin the process of gaining more knowledge. Anyone want to share?
Did you draw the early hunt or late hunt?
Captain, shoot me a PM when you get a chance.
I have been a long time hunter and guide in area 13 and hunted again in 2016. I think its time some one told the truth about this unit. Being a muzzle loader and archery area the public is lead to believe that its a unit were they mite have a quality hunt . However that is not the case. Area 13 has been shoot out buy the long range muzzle loaders for years and the information given by the New Mexico Game and Fish Dept about the unit is 100 % false, as to success of bowhunters and number of elk in the unit. the mature bulls last year even on private ranches averaged about 310 to 320 all very young.One group of nonres hunters (9) on a huge private ranch I was on did not even get a shot. I did see 3 bulls killed on the forest 260 to 320.bottom line expect lots of hunters and few elk on the forest. This unit needs about a 5 year rest but there is to much money changing hands with game and fish and private ranches. I hunted on the forest for several weeks and can honestly tell anyone I would save the gas and stay home. I am sure someone will comment they killed a bull or they hunted there6years ago and disagree with me. but the bottom line is the sameunit 13 is done.
Idk about done, but I will agree it needs rest. It is one of the hardest units to hunt for sure. It's never certain what to expect from this unit. Master is right though it's tuff.
Big unit. You only can shoot one bull per tag. Put the work in and you'll find a shooter.
Hunted it five years ago with a pretty respected outfitter. I had a tough hunt. Hunted in the middle of September (2nd season if I recalll) and heard one bugle all week. That P&J can really hide an elk. My buddy hunted it too, and he had a better hunt as far as quality and quantity. But we both came home with unpunched tags.
I hunted it last year first season. It is a tough hunt but I applied for it again this year. I got one good shot opportunity on an 11 day hunt and got lucky. I think the quality is pretty good but it is not non-stop action. As with all SW hunts you should focus your hunting around water. Easy to give up on a hunt like 13..... stick with it and you might end up with a nice one. Got mine on day 9. Mike TN
I hunted Unit 13 way back in '99 when you had to apply but everybody who applied drew a tag so it was 100% guaranteed.
There were 4 of us on that hunt for almost 2 weeks and we saw 2 elk, both of them at water holes during the entire 2 weeks. One of the elk was a raghorn that my buddy killed and the other was a big 6x6 that me and another guy saw at a water hole.
Granted, I was a rookie back then and I would probably do better if I hunted it now, but it's hard for me to imagine applying there again. I've had much better hunts in CO OTC units. Over the years I've read numerous threads and posts about Unit 13 and I figured that it must have changed a lot and be a lot better now than it was when I was there, but I have a hard time imagining that it is a highly desired unit to hunt. But like I said, I was a rookie when I hunted it so it might not have been as bad as I thought it was...
Add up the number of tags issued to landowners, SCRs, and the drawing. The total number of tags issued for this unit may be of interest. http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/hunting/maps/e-plus/E_PLUS-Landowner-List-2016_2017.pdf http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/hunting/maps/e-plus/E_PLUS-SCR-Landowner-List-2016_2017.pdf http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/hunting/license-information/application-draw/2016-Drawing-Odds-Summary.pdf
Thank you to all who have reached out and shared your experience. I drew the early archery tag. I have received some great information and hope to come back and share my experience here on Bowsite.
Good luck, Captain....I hope you kill a giant!