My hunting partner and I were fortunate to draw 2nd season archery elk tags in Unit 34 (bear unit 12). First hunting trip for either of us in New Mexico. According to the regs, if we want to purchase OTC bear tags, the bear tag must be purchased a minimum of two days prior to our hunt dates.
Hunting partner loves bear hunting and has been successful in multiple states and Canada...all spot and stalk. Pretty much expect him to buy a bear tag for this hunt. I've arrowed one bear in my life...on a salmon stream in Alaska. Got lucky and shot a good bear late on that trip (roughly 300lbs), but most of the bear I saw were half that size. Had zero intentions of shooting those bear. Really on the fence about the bear tag myself. Having never hunted NM, absolutely no idea what to expect? Thoughts?
Planning to arrive a few days prior to the opener with no intentions of coming home early should we get fortunate and tag out. An extra tag is just insurance to keep us hunting. I'm not yet sold on the idea of a bear tag...although the color phase opportunity is something I had not considered. Looks like a OTC archery javelina tag is also available for the same timeframe (only because of the archery elk tag)...and I've never hunted javelina. Barbary sheep (west side of 34 only) and turkey tags are also available.
If I'm reading the regs correctly, only the bear tag must be purchased prior to the hunt (two days prior minimum). Pretty confident my hunting partner will go that route...while I remain squarely on the fence! Decisions....decisions...
I've had bears come into water while I was waiting for elk but never a shooter.
From what you've said, I probably wouldn't spend the money. It's highly unlikely that you will just run into a big bear and get a shot. If you find a big one, he probably has a food source that he's tied to and you could get a tag, wait 2 days and give it a try.
Bummer about the javelina. Didn't expect to see javelina while elk hunting, but assumed there might be a huntable population at the lower elevations near the Air Force base.
As stated, you only need to purchase a bear tag 2 days before you hunt bears. So hunt elk, if you kill early, then buy a bear tag. The other "problem" with NM is our bears typically don't have very good hides/hair - it's HOT here! So trophy-quality pelts are uncommon, in addition to few large bears compared to other states.
Smarba makes the best points.
Second most elk I've ever seen on a hunt (Book Cliffs, UT in 2010 was #1).
Highest bull to cow ratio ever experienced. Bugling bulls everywhere. Bulls would bugle back...but had no interest in closing the distance.
Stalked three bulls definitely bigger than my personal best (330"). Got within 80 yards each time, but cows always got in the way.
Passed six bulls under 25 yards. Best being a young 6X5 at 15 yards. Had a 300"ish bull in range on day four, but another hunter spooked him before I could get the shot. What sucked is the other hunter knew I was there...but that's public land hunting.
Elk bedded early and got up late. We had maybe 2-3 hours in the AM and 2 hours PM. Did stalk some bedded bulls and got into range a couple times, but no shots.
Lots of rain during this hunt. I don't really like sitting water for elk anyway, but all the rain made that a moot point. I did sit an active wallow one evening...zero elk seen.
On day eight, I shot a decent 6X6 (estimated between 260"-280"). The shot was 35 yards downhill and quartering to. Had him broadside, but he saw me draw. Arrow entered the rib cage and exited in front of the opposite hind leg. Waited two hours before looking for blood at the last spot seen. Saw elk hide less than 100 yards into the timber. Could not tell if alive or dead. Closed the gap to roughly 60 yards and the bull got up. He walked off slowly, attempted to climb, but side hilled out of sight instead. Found the arrow in the bed and backed out for four more hours. Fully expected to find him dead in his next bed, but never found that bed. Spent two days grid searching to no avail. Not a good way to end an elk hunt...but it happened. Only the second bull I've ever shot that I didn't watch fall. If I had it to do over again, I would have backed out once I saw the elk hide. Based on his limited movements, figure he would have died in that bed had I not got him up.
My hunting partner was using a longbow. He had one shot opportunity at a good bull on day two. Extreme uphill angle and the arrow sailed high. Had other elk within range throughout the hunt, but always something in the way of a shot opportunity.
I know it is extremely difficult but any time you have an animal hit in the guts, even thow you might have gotten one lung due to the angle, you have to wait longer. If you bump them once, you almost never see them again. Let your heartbreak be a lesson to all the rest of us.
It sounds like it was a great time, aside from the ending. Good luck on the next hunt.
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