NM ELK unit 55 2nd season
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Strider JR
19-Jul-18
Has anyone hunted this hunt recently? I am looking for any useful information: best areas, camp site, hunting water, closet towns (gas & groceries), etc. Apparently it's a once-in-a-lifetime permit so I want to give it my all. Thank you in advance!
From: IdyllwildArcher
19-Jul-18
If you really want to give it your all, you should take a weekend and drive over there. It's only an 8-9 hour drive from Tulsa. Assuming you drew Valle Vidal as I'm assuming you're a NR from OK, pre-scouting the actual country may be impossible and perhaps someone who's hunted it can give you some info, but it certainly is a OIL tag so set yourself up for the best odds of success you can by getting to your hunt early so you're completely ready to go opening morning and hunt every day. You don't want to lose time looking for a place to camp or where to get groceries. Drive out there on a Saturday and home on a Sunday and you can have 3 places to camp and know where everything's at already so you don't lose a day figuring that out.
From: midwest
19-Jul-18
Damn....congrats on the tag!
From: Pigsticker
20-Jul-18
Concur with Idyll, I am going to 16C for my third time and I have talked with four residents, PMd and texted several more, and talked to the forest service about camping and access points, downloaded regs, and checked on 4 wheeler use. Leave no stone unturned to try to be prepared for anything. Asking poignant questions after some research will draw better responses than generalized questions. Whenever I talk to a guide or biologist I am wanting them to confirm my thoughts because they get plenty of questions on wanting to know where the are big bulls. It always amazes me to what tidbit of information can make or break a trip.
From: splitlimb13
20-Jul-18
Yes get out there and familiarize yourself with the country. The elk are not scarce there. Idk how many elk hunts you've been on but this is a OIL hunt due to the frequency of encounters and opportunities. Good luck
From: HDE
20-Jul-18
Unless you pack in, there are only two places to camp: Cimarron and McCrystal campgrounds.
When I went last year, I stayed at Cimarron as it was closer to where I was hunting the higher elevations.
Unless you want to get the lay of the land, scouting is pointless as there are probably more elk in that unit "per capita" than anywhere else in the state.
My hunt last year lasted 3 hours.
From: HDE
20-Jul-18
Valle Vidal
Valle Vidal
Valle Vidal
Valle Vidal
From: Strider JR
22-Jul-18
Fellow bowhunters - Thank you!
From: easeup
26-Jul-18
I am with idyllwild also on this one. for a OIL tag you need to go at least once to walk around and fall in love with that place, to plan and scheme and put it all together. leave nothing to chance and have at least one back up plan too. the valle is truly elk mans paradise.
From: Strider JR
05-Oct-18
Thank you again for all the helpful information. It was an incredible place. I was in bulls bugling everyday, and had seven encounters within 100yds of bulls. I connected on the lucky seventh. Safe hunting
From: Brotsky
05-Oct-18
Wow! Awesome bull Strider! I'd say you definitely made that tag count! Congrats!
From: smarba
05-Oct-18
Congrats, that's a beaut!
From: IdyllwildArcher
05-Oct-18
Wow! Great bull! Grats!
From: Inshart
05-Oct-18
Holy crap, couldn't find a big un I see. Outstanding!!!
From: midwest
05-Oct-18
Good Lord! Congrats on a fantastic bull and more pics, please!
From: butcherboy
05-Oct-18
Very nice bull! I loved my hunt there in 2013. Wish it wasn’t OIL
From: BigOk
05-Oct-18
Wow, congrats!!!
From: mrelite
05-Oct-18
Yes sir that's a nice one, congrats!
From: uteangler
05-Oct-18
Congratulations! Awesome bull!
From: Huntcell
06-Oct-18
Didn’t have any time left to find a big one?
Yoowzer Holy Molely!!!!
<~~~~~<<<< €
From: BULELK1
06-Oct-18
Holy ~~ Moly!
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
From: Lovehunt11
06-Oct-18
Nice, Congrats
From: Billyvanness
06-Oct-18
Outstanding! I had a feeling this thread would have a good ending but dang that’s a great bull!
