16D - 3rd Archery - DIY and need advice
New Mexico
Contributors to this thread:
I was fortunate to draw 16D archery for the 3rd season. I am a NR and will be going DIY. Was looking for any input and advise on the unit, where and how to hunt. Also, good places to camp. Thanks much in advance.
IMO get a guide, don't waste a once in a lifetime tag trying to be diy hero..
Would love to, and have been successful on numerous guided western hunts over the years. Drew an AZ unit 8 hunt and have a guide hired for that hunt this fall. Simply can't afford the expense to do both.
That is an incredible tag! It sounds like you've got some elk hunting experience, so I think you'll do fine without a guide. You took my tag, so make good use of it!!!
eagle peak is your BEST choice! good luck
I agree Eagle peak biggest bull i never shot still running around down there good luck
Find secluded water sources on topo's and hope the monsoon quits just before your hunt. The elk should be going nuts during that time, listen for bugles (even in the middle of the night) and hunt them in the morning. "Run and gun" in the morning sit water in the evening.
Thanks to everyone for your comments!!
Thanks to everyone for your comments!!
Go just east of the town of Aragon to the north side of Wagon Tongue mountain find the Continetal Divide and go south. There is some great country back there with some 370 to 400 class bulls that stay on that north slope and drop down to the flats in the evening and go back in early morning. They should be screaming there heads off on that third hunt and you will have the time of your life. Just better be in great shape to keep up with them.
Has anyone been down there recently? I've been tracking the weather online and D is getting showered on sporadically but who knows without actually being there. Enjoy your hunt Bjella, it goes quick. Unless you kill early there is no time for relaxation. I had the 3rd hunt before and i'd leave camp before dawn and stumble back after dark. I think this hunt is way too short considering the draw odds. Do not pass up too many bulls unless u r willing to eat tag soup. I've got the early 10day hunt this year but i will still hunt balls to the wall because we are fortunate to be hunting this unit with the trophy potential.
Was down there yesterday and it rained pretty good over most of the unit for a couple of hours. Some areas are greener than others.
Hello Guys, I just found out that I was lucky enough to draw a 16D Sept 15-24 archery tag for New Mexico. I understand this is a great unit with a number of roads and access. I am willing to walk/pack in and I don't need a guide, although I would be willing to pay for one just for daily services. There are lots of different maps out there including google earth. If you have any map preferences to suggest I would appreciate it. Any thoughts on areas to start scouting or contact names would also be greatly appreciated. Willing to do some horse trading for good information. If you know of someone I could speak to let me know. Thank you
Great tag, I would still use the advice mentioned above. those areas are tried and true. have hunted the unit many, many times. moisture is key to where you find the elk. this spring has most of the tanks with some water. if the summer is dry water will be key. the bulls will be wondering and screaming looking for cows. I would drive late at night to locate bugling bulls for the next mornings hunt. locate the areas with no roads. find the water in those areas and you should do well. Good luck. We have two rifle tags in the same unit so will be out in the unit this summer.
Ebelljr, I was down there a couple of weeks ago. Saw at least 100 elk passing through on my way to 16a, the first dozen within five minutes of being in the unit. A guide can make things easier, but it's so easy (for someone with basic knowledge and minimal experience) already it's not going to be a great return for the money.
That part of the Gila has a lot of roads, from state roads to old logging roads (no paved roads at all besides 12 on the northern border of the unit). It is WET! And it has continued to rain since I was there. Late but heavy monsoon. Hunting water is out I would say. But rut will be in full swing and you should be able to call in plenty of bulls.
Speaking of the rain, be very careful where you camp. Don't camp in Colins Park, it can turn in to a lake. Avoid any low or even flat areas. In 2014, a friend of mine woke up to his camper sinking 1 foot into the mud. Got his truck stuck trying to get the camper out. Someone helped him get the truck out the next day, but took two more trips to the Gila to get the camper out. Didn't happen until December when the ground froze.
Thank you for the advice sir. I'm looking forward to hearing the sounds. Appreciate the comments on Collins park. Drove through there and it definitely has stuck truck potential. Any thoughts on the north east end of the zone? Thank you.
North east (if I understand where you mean) is a lot of private land and open country. But the area south of Apache creek and Aragon is good, Eagle peak is good as mentioned above. The areas on either side of Bursom rd once it turns into the unit are easier (flatter) country with plenty of animals.
Great FREE maps and GPS app form NMDGF and BLM is here: http://www.nm.blm.gov/huntingUnitMaps/fullSite/fullSite.html
Thanks again for the notes. I'm leaving Sunday headed that way. Gonna look south east of Aragon ft hen head towards Apache creek.