unit 16B
Contributors to this thread:New Mexico
From: Blazer
05-Mar-18
Seems like the first archery draw odds are better than the rest of the 16's.My question is are you hunting bulls that are quiet and looking for cows?Or are they already getting cowed up or is that later in the hunt.Also how is the deadfall in there.Thanks
From: splitlimb13
05-Mar-18
They were cowed up since the last week of August last year. . Deadfall is horrible ,most trails on the map don't exist anymore after the burn n floods.Keep shouting that out n the odds won't be for long.
From: mrelite
05-Mar-18
The reason the odds are better is because that hunt can be one hot SOB and it's a super tough hunt because of the terrain and if they are not bugling you start covering many miles to find them plus you really need to have a good meat extraction plan or you can be sure of loosing most of the meat if you get lucky.
I had to pack in my water last year and it wasn't enough, it was so hot and I was consuming more then I had planned to, so towards the end of my hunt I was really rationing and ended up pulling some water from a hot little mosquito infested pool......MMMMM. To add insult to injury I came back to my camp one evening to find some dude in my tent and he had drank my rationed water (long story) anyway I needed that water more then that POS.
I hunted 12 days and didn't get an elk!
From: ohiohunter
05-Mar-18
Wow, how did you handle that situation??? Isn't that the unit Newberg and Jacobson hunted and ate tag soup too?
From: Dyjack
05-Mar-18
Can you tell us the long story mrelite?
From: Blazer
05-Mar-18
I too would like to here the long version of that story.Talked a few guys into putting in here at work .If any of us get lucky we will have backup.
From: earlyriser
06-Mar-18
Ohio, Newberg was in 16E. I would also like to hear the long story.
From: trophyhill
06-Mar-18
Finding someone in my tent would be freaky. And I've heard the story. One reason to pack iron......
From: trophyhill
06-Mar-18
I hunted the first hunt in 2012. Tough hunt. I did get into elk early though. Since then I've refined and learned a few calling techniques and would love to draw it again. As JP said, water is at a premium. So make sure you have plenty of water both to pack in and at the truck.
From: Riplip
07-Mar-18
Water is at a premium..... unless of course it starts raining and keeps raining which happens often in the unit especially in Sept. Got stranded 10 miles back for few days, the monsoons are no joke. Small trickle stream next to our camp became a small river overnight.
From: Barrera
17-Mar-18
Don't shy away from 16b. Odds are good for both archery hunts. Know a guy who hunts it and he just hikes in some water a week or 2 before his hunt and stashes it. He's harvested often just a mile or 2 in.
From: splitlimb13
17-Mar-18
From: Ned
19-Mar-18
Hit and miss with the water, hunted one year there no problem, rained all the time. Following year it was the drought of the century. Drank water out of a small collection area in some rocks, using a filter of course.
From: Ned
19-Mar-18
can anyone suggest where to take meat for freezing or butchering here, haven't hunted this unit for quite some time ( in the event we draw of course)
From: mrelite
20-Mar-18
You can hang meat in a cooler in Winston and I believe you can do the same in Reserve, I don't know any butchers in the area.
I will try to do a write up of the camp intruder when I get a chance.
From: Barrera
22-Mar-18
Draws are in for 16b this yr. Odds are to good in 16b. Know about 12 different buddy apps in for 16b so we'll more than likely be in there. Can't wait. Good luck to everyone.
From: WapitiBob
22-Mar-18
I've never equated single digit nr odds to "good odds".
From: splitlimb13
22-Mar-18
^^^ I'm with you Bob
From: splitlimb13
22-Mar-18
I wonder if people who spill out draw odds on a public forum realize it's not just the 6 of us seeing it?? If odds are good for certain hunts WHY DONT WE NOT LET THE WORLD WIDE WEB KNOW?? So they can stay that way!!! Just a thought..
From: Barrera
22-Mar-18
Good I hit the right nerve in record timing. I wander what people expect out of sarcasm? Just a thought.
From: splitlimb13
22-Mar-18
You WONDER? Oh sorry wasn't trying to be sarcastic. I have no idea who you are? Or why you would want to strike my nerve? Or even why you think it's in record timing? Haha. .. I've noticed you trolling, my above post was intended to be broad. If people find hunts that are still out there that are fairly easy to draw(which there are) GREAT ! Why not keep them that way by not shouting from the internet Mountain tops for all to hear? They're obviously a reason they are . Sounds like you know nothing about this unit first hand. Kudos to "THE GUY YOU KNOW " though... Hahaha what a joke.
From: Bownarrow
22-Mar-18
16B along with unit 34 and 36 have the best odds of the top New Mexico units. Blazer, to answer your question, you have to be willing to hunt over water to kill a bull (in all 3 units). And don't expect a 380" bull. It is uncommon to kill more than a 340" bull in units 34, 36 and 16B. That's why the odds for drawing are so high-water and not many 340"+ bulls. Don't let these other guys tell you different. They are just keeping three great unit to themselves. If I were going to rank them based on odds, I would say: Unit 34, 16B and then Unit 36. That's how I recommend you apply.
From: splitlimb13
22-Mar-18
Yes listen to Bow, the odds are great in 34 . That's why it's the third hardest first season archery tag to draw in the state. 36 not far behind. Also in 16b let me know exactly where the elk are drinking from if you can ,they only have hundreds of miles of running water .
From: raceguy
23-Mar-18
There are a lot of elk, and there are big one's in 16b. IMHO 16b has better odds because it's mostly wilderness.
A big unit with no roads, no campers and no ATV's allowed. You have just eliminated hunters who prefer to do it that way, hence better odds. It's not because there are small bulls.
From: priley
23-Mar-18
The only easy draw units are the ones you reach in your wallet and draw out enough green to purchase a LO tag.
From: splitlimb13
23-Mar-18
Raceguy , if they are any better that's exactly why. It's hard to hunt even with half a dozen horses and 3 mules. I see entire bulls wasted every year! Guys on foot 13 miles back.l! I mean, get real! For the record priley , I believe you are correct! Haha that's awesome.
From: raceguy
23-Mar-18
Yep, that's why I no longer put in for 16b. I've developed a bum knee but mostly hunt solo on foot. There's no way I could haul 300 pounds of meat out if I get far in without something spoiling.
If it wasn't for my knee, 16b would be on my app every year.
From: Norseman
23-Mar-18
Sounds like he is a 16c or 16D guy.....
From: trophyhill
24-Mar-18
Thanks Raceguy! My odds are better because of you :)
From: raceguy
24-Mar-18
Can you extend the courtesy and not put in for 16c? Pretty please?
From: splitlimb13
24-Mar-18
Or A or D haha
From: Blazer
24-Mar-18
So hundresds of miles of running water but we have to pack water in??
From: wilhille
24-Mar-18
Lol blazer....
From: priley
24-Mar-18
The Gila River runs through the middle of 16b. I don't know if you want to drink it but I do know you will want a drink of water before you get to it.
From: priley
24-Mar-18
Raceguy I don't put in for 16b anymore either but 16d is another storie.
So is the power ball.
From: raceguy
25-Mar-18
Lol Priley, good luck! Someone has to win, right?
From: trophyhill
25-Mar-18
No worries Greg. 37 and 34 are my other choices lol
From: raceguy
26-Mar-18
Go hammer them Dave! Good luck!
From: ohiohunter
26-Mar-18
Dang it! I put in for all 16b 2nd hunt b/c of this thread... and now you're telling me I shoulda put all in for 34 or 36... GREAT!
From: splitlimb13
26-Mar-18
^^^haha
From: trophyhill
26-Mar-18
I like all those units Ohio. 37 is a tough draw but there are some monsters in there. If I don't draw 16b, I may as well plan on CO cuz 34,36&37 are highly sought after too......
From: trophyhill
26-Mar-18
You too Greg!
From: ohiohunter
26-Mar-18
Dave, what unit did you shoot your deer in?? That deer looks familiar.
From: priley
26-Mar-18
you poor guys that drew the Valle Vadal
sucks having to settle for 16b , 34, 36 or 37
From: trophyhill
27-Mar-18
Lol Priley
From: splitlimb13
28-Mar-18
Priley ,that was sarcasm right? Haha ,lol, lmao!
From: ohiohunter
29-Mar-18
Yep, after hunting the Valle its all downhill from there...
You should try it sometime! Hahaha
From: trophyhill
30-Mar-18
53 is as close as I've got to 55. Hunted the edge for a day or two.
From: priley
30-Mar-18
I've been close also. Greenie Peak comes to mind. Anyway I got a peak at it over the fence.
Haha , looks like a rookie unit...
From: trophyhill
31-Mar-18
Funny Priley. I killed a cow on top of Greenie. 100 yards from the road that goes over the top.
From: DakHunter
31-Mar-18
Yeah that Valle hunt is terrible. Hope I can see how terrible 16b or 34 will be too. I dont think anything will compare to VV...but I'm eager to give it a try.
From: raceguy
01-Apr-18
Stay out of 16c Throphyhill, I don't want you killing all the elk. You machine!! lol
From: priley
01-Apr-18
Trophyhill You forgot April Fools....
From: trophyhill
02-Apr-18
Lol
From: BillL
03-Apr-18
Good odds is relative - they just need to be good enough. My buddy did his first ever big game hunt for elk in Valle Vidal, and he's a non-resident. Draw odds were good enough for him (295" 6x6 at 100 yrds farther than his home range is long). An example of why VV is an OIL hunt is that I saw more bulls in three days in the VV than I've seen in more than 10 years hunting elk (and deer) in 6a/b, 9, 13, and 16a/b (not that I'm a great hunter). I say almost because the Valles Caldera hunt several years ago was kinda the same: Hoot loads of bulls. I honestly recommend to my NR friends to only apply for fabulous hunts like VV or VC because a unit 14 elk hunt isn't really worth the NR effort/costs.
I don't have any unit-wide land-owner authorizations for VV or VC, but I do have excess preference points I can sell you . . .
From: splitlimb13
03-Apr-18
Unit 14 elk hunt? I just don't see the quality in the VV to justify all fuss. Beautiful country that's for sure.
From: ohiohunter
03-Apr-18
I've seen the quality... on the hoof.
From: splitlimb13
03-Apr-18
I hear you Ohio. Personally I've never hunted it. Elk numbers are good for sure. The guys I know that have hunted it took some decent bulls. A guide there told me if a guy has a shot at a 320 bull he better take it. His client passed on a 330 type bull and said it was a huge mistake. I've seen the occasional slob put down , but this guy says 330 is a definite shooter there . Is this true?
From: ohiohunter
03-Apr-18
A 330" is a shooter in my book always, but my book isn't on everyone's shelf. You are correct it wouldn't be wise to pass on a solid bull as described simply b/c the VV isn't the biggest unit in NM and those big boys know where to go when the pressure is on.... hint hint.. another "V" word. I undoubtedly saw one slob and a few other solid bulls (bits and pieces), one of those solid bulls was a toad but looked to have been a 5x6. Had he been 6x6 he would easily eclipse 330", as he stood he was probably every bit of 330. He had a huge harem in the wide open, far from my (and most) capabilities w/ a bow.
My hunt's harvest report is posted (2016), you can see it wasn't the best of years for archery in the VV.. esp in regard to the satisfaction rating. After talking to the 1st hunters my excitement was slightly fizzled, but as for being over hyped... eh.. depends on the year and of course the person. My year was a so so one and it was still a good hunt, I can only imagine what its like on a good year.
From: splitlimb13
03-Apr-18
"A 330" is a shooter in my book always, but my book isn't on everyone's shelf."
Couldn't have said it better. Most don't realize how big 330" is. From what I hear that's a " top end " bull up there. There are units where 330" is more than doable that aren't OIL is all I was saying. Still a beautiful place to hunt elk.
From: HDE
03-Apr-18
I passed up a 330 bull in VV on opening day, 1st hour of the hunt. Well, ok, he passed by me and wouldn't stop.
The problem I had with VV is that it ended too quickly ;^)
From: splitlimb13
03-Apr-18
Hahaha hate it when that happens HDE ! We did see several bulls at the 330" mark last year , actually did pass 2. My dad wanted to choke me!! Haha
From: ohiohunter
03-Apr-18
How cold did it get during your hunt HDE? The lowest temp I saw was 19*
From: HDE
03-Apr-18
Mid 30's. Stormed the night before opening day and was kind of windy the entire weekend.
From: priley
04-Apr-18
Three more weeks....three more weeks....three more weeks...
From: splitlimb13
04-Apr-18
I'd wager we find out by the end of next week
From: Barrera
05-Apr-18
I'll go with split on this one for end of next wk. All Green...
From: HDE
05-Apr-18
The results usually surface on a Wed, so the 11th. After last year being so early, there is really no excuse to not get it done and posted quickly.
From: Blazer
20-Apr-18
We ended up drawing the second hunt on 3 rd choice time to start scouting .
From: Barrera
20-Apr-18
Blazer, Congrats on a awesome tag. Good luck in there and have fun.
From: Blazer
21-Apr-18
Thanks,Barrera hopefully we can get into them
From: splitlimb13
21-Apr-18
^^^ nice save. Farquaad is better then minimi for future reference. ;)
From: Ned
21-Apr-18
I still miss the good ole days when unit 34 was a sleeper unit and listed as unlimited. I would put 2 Gila units and 34 as my third choice. Killed 4 good bulls out of 34 , 4 years in a row. Now as a non res it’s a pipe dream just to draw a tag boo hoo.
From: Blazer
21-Apr-18
Jinxed him that's about 12 years of bad karma. http://www.tmz.com/2018/04/21/verne-troyer-dead-at-49/ :-)
From: trophyhill
22-Apr-18
I hope you're going to "unjinx" him before that 12 weeks is up. All he needs is his bow to break or something ;)
