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I have some stupid e-tag questions for New Mexico. I almost got tripped up in NM 14 years ago for missing a stamp, and if it weren't for a very cool game warden, I'd have had to pay a fine.
Want to make sure I don't do something stupid again. I have the NM E-tag app. I had to redownload it, but now the tag is showing up in the app. It says "E-tag Unavailable", but the next screen just shows I have a tag, but it's not within hunt dates.
Am I good to go? I'll try to post a screenshot with my phone next.
Thanks. Sorry for stupid questions
If you log into the website that should confirm if you have an etag or not. I assume you didn't get a paper tag in the mail. I don't think it will work until your hunt dates. Just remember even though you e tag it you still need a physical paper to put on the animal. I wasn't aware of this last year and luckily had some paper maps in my pack and a pen. I used flagging tape to put the tag on the antler. Actually ran into a warden and my note with e tag number on the antler was fine.
I honestly don't know why anyone prefers the e-tag. As huntabsarokee notes, you'll still need to use your phone to generate a number after the kill, write it on something, and then attach it to the animal as required. So why not just use the mail-issued peel & stick version instead of relying on your phone? I'm just old-school I guess...
I’m right there with ya Carl!
It will change when the season opens. If your tag is on your phone you will never leave for the hunt without your tag. I think it's a good option.
Yes, as stated above, your tag will become "Available" at midnight on Oct 7. Just make sure you're logged in as you are now before you leave cell phone service. Once you kill, select the fill tag option (or whatever it's called) and it will auto-populate the carcass and horn tag number. You write that down on a piece of flagging tape and put it on your animal.
Personally, I prefer the E-Tag option. You can easily leave your tag at home, but you will never forget your phone...
I have the same hunt and was wondering the same thing! What if we dont have internet? I googled "NM Etag" and your question was the first relevant post. What are the odds that one of the other 17 hunters (we have 3) with a tag would have the same question???
I don't love e-anything but one thing good I see about them if you have to electronically check your kill the state has a much better data on success rates and number of animals killed.
I'm with Carl. Having to physically tag the animal defeats the purpose of e-tag. They can continue to print my tags.
John, it probably helps some with data collection, but NM has mandatory harvest reporting that is enforced with the ability to draw, or not, future tags. I imagine that gives them pretty solid stats. I'm always surprised when states don't require reporting.
Really are you just bragging that you have a tag? Good luck sorry I can't help.We used to have to wait until we got stopped in NM and game warden would write our permit down on a business card then we would have our permit when we got home.
Dammit, Blane! Every time I've forgotten you drew that tag, you post something about it and my jealousy rears its ugly head again!!
J/K buddy. I'm super excited to hear how your hunt goes!
Hopefully that horseshoe doesn’t start festering, Blane ;-)
I’m with Nick. Looking forward to the hunt report!
Getting close now. Getting stoked. Need to get caught up and have one trial next week then I’m on the road
Bake, which campground do you plan on staying in?
I will probably stay in Cimarron if I don't pack in and camp. Unfortunately I have let my physical conditioning slip, so I don't know that I'm going to be down for 2-3 mile hikes in every morning. I have been meaning to call and see about a reservation, but I've been swamped and haven't gotten around to it yet. I did some internet sleuthing but could never figure out how to reserve a campsite online.
I'm taking a bigger tent and cot and some bare essential camp gear if I stay at the campground, but I'm also taking a pack with the essentials to pack in and set up a spartan spike camp. I have some leads that are a couple miles in, so we'll see. . . .
Where are you planning to stay?
We are going to stay in Cimmaron campground. There will 5 of us going, 3 tags and 2 guests and vary in age and condition. I may spike in for a night or two. I believe, somebody correct me if I'm wrong, the campgrounds are first come first serve during this time. Also, I spoke with US Forrest guy and they may be doing a prescribed burn at the McCrystal cg during or just before our hunt... just fyi
Awesome! Thanks for the info! I'll make the rounds and try to look you up! I may be rolling in around 6 a.m. on the 7th :) I'm hoping to be there the morning of the 6th, but I got a work thing and may have to drive all night the night before. . . .
Good luck! Also, you might look into getting a bear tag as well. Bear hunting is limited to people with an elk or deer tag, which is not very many. There are a lot of bears there, so if it interests you, take advantage.
