Unit 34 Bow Tag
Contributors to this thread:New Mexico
From: Madman88240
27-Jul-18
Hello All, first time bow hunter here and i drew a Unit 34 tag for Sept.1-14. I'm heading up to scout next weekend and have a few spots in mind to check out but would be interested in what others with experience and knowledge of the unit have to say.
From: ohiohunter
27-Jul-18
Do you plan on hunting 1-14?
From: Madman88240
27-Jul-18
Going up the 5th through the 10th. I wish i could hunt all 14 days.
From: WapitiBob
27-Jul-18
I have 34 experience and knowledge but I don't say much.
Bugling will be good if you're in the right spot. In 6 years I sat water twice. Most of the same canyons get passed around as the go to spots. Roads and houses are not a problem.
From: Madman88240
27-Jul-18
Not sure what would constitute the right spot other than the spot that has elk in it? There is only 250 tags i believe on each hunt but prefer to be away from other hunters. I'm sure there are particular areas that are hunted a little heavier.
From: Barrera
27-Jul-18
Good luck man. I've never hunted 34 but have been doing tons of online scouting for a couple months now. I hoping to pick up a late season tag in 34. I recommend you get on x maps, and start also doing research on eplus ranches in the unit. Don't think the areas I'm looking at for Dec will be much help for you in Sept other than getting away from hunters. Welcome to bow hunting and hope you get a shot at one.
From: ohiohunter
27-Jul-18
I would push your dates later. 34 tags don’t come often.
From: trophyhill
29-Jul-18
Good luck getting away from other hunters. There are no secret spots in 34, and you're never more than a mile from a road. Good unit but don't have unrealistic expectations on hunting pressure. Find the unpressured pockets, and you'll likely find elk. These pockets can be a stone throw from a road ;)
From: Madman88240
30-Jul-18
Not looking for a secret spot, just looking to talk about areas i was interested in looking at.
From: ohiohunter
30-Jul-18
I don't think people are trying to be too obscure. 34 has one of the most dense herds of elk, there is a reason it is in ultra high demand. Push your dates back, they will be more vocal as sept progresses. There are elk literally everywhere in this unit. Take a trip to cloudcroft sometime, drive threw about 7pm............. they are everywhere.
If thats your zip you are literally 2hrs from 34, maybe less. Go check it out.
From: KHunter
31-Jul-18
What Ohio said.
As a first time bowhunter you should have a significantly better experience (rut activity) if hunted the last 5 days instead of mid season.
Work and life can certainly get in the way of our preferred hunting schedules of course so perhaps you are hemmed in.
Given the accessibility of the unit I’d skip a scouting trip IF it gave me days at end of season.
Have not hunted 34.
From: trophyhill
31-Jul-18
You made a comment about areas hunted a little heavier, did you not? The "secret spot" comment was to let you know, you could be seeing hunting pressure wherever you go in the unit. Get with the program man! Better yet, go put some boots on the ground and learn the unit.....
From: Muddyboots
03-Aug-18
In addition to the 250 elk hunters there are 780 deer tags, plus 1/2 of west Texas will be camping around Labor Day weekend. So finding solitude will require some effort. Hint- look for places that ATVs just can't go by physical limitations ( by official decree means nothing to some ATV "hunters"). I suggest you look at steep north-facing mountainsides, big enough to cause pause for most hunters to consider working over. Once in the hell spots, you will usually find a game trail or two that lead to something interesting. Good luck.
From: Madman88240
07-Aug-18
Weekend trip was a success. Mountains are green, appears to be quite a bit of water, saw over 60 elk and a few bulls. Can't wait.
From: Barrera
07-Aug-18
That's awesome I bet your getting excited. At least you got a starting game plan which will help you a lot. Keep us posted when you get one down. Have fun man.
From: ohiohunter
11-Aug-18
It’s hard to go “wrong” in 34 for elk.
From: Madman88240
14-Aug-18
Well i feel like a lot could go wrong Ohio. Not quite sure what the best approach to hunting them is; especially if they are not bugling. But i guess if you can find the cows then you should fine a bull.
From: mrelite
14-Aug-18
Madman, I don't think the bulls will take to kindly to being fined.........:)
I believe you are right on track by finding the cows then you should watch, listen and get yourself in position, when they are not bugling hunt like a lion and think like a bull elk fixing to make a move on some sweetness.
From: ohiohunter
14-Aug-18
You will hear bugles, especially if you stick around until the 14th.
From: WapitiBob
15-Aug-18
If you wait for something to happen, you might be waiting a long time.
From: Madman88240
15-Aug-18
I don't like to wait and don't plan on it unless it's the best option.
From: splitlimb13
15-Aug-18
Just park your atv ( leave it running) start by cow calling, then bugle 20 times in a row ,and I guarantee a bull will come right up to you. Then just shoot him n go home ;^)
From: Dyjack
16-Aug-18
Good game plan, Splitlimb. You've swayed me with your secret I'll never have to hike again.
From: splitlimb13
16-Aug-18
Jack , All the guys that I see doing it every year ,IT HAS TO WORK!!! HAHAHA
From: Madman88240
17-Aug-18
Splitlimb i hope i don't see any of those guys.
From: smarba
17-Aug-18
Bingo splitlimb13! It HAS to work because so many do it that way LOL
From: splitlimb13
19-Aug-18
Carl ,don't even bother turning the vehicle off haha many a "400 bulls hit the dirt that way!
From: Madman88240
21-Aug-18
saw some video of a scouting trip in 34. Looks like there is water everywhere.
From: Madman88240
13-Sep-18
Took a nice 5x5 last Sunday at water. Shot was about 40 yards. Saw some nice 6x6's that had cows with them but couldn't get within 200 yards. Awesome hunt for a first time bow hunter!
From: swampokie
14-Sep-18
Congrats Madman!
From: Barrera
15-Sep-18
Congrats. Glad your able to put one down.
From: ohiohunter
18-Sep-18
Congratulations! Like I said, hard to go wrong in 34! Now you're hooked, welcome to the addiction.... Elkaholic Anonymous class is at 7
From: mrelite
18-Sep-18
Congrats! sounds like it was an awesome hunt, need to see some pics!
