CritterGitter

Nice buck!! Congratulations!! It's nice to know that there are still some nice bucks and good genetics out there. Hopefully I'll be half as fortunate during my November hunt in the same unit. I don't have a lot of time to be out this year, but with some luck it will be a great hunt. In any case, nice job.

Ernesto's got it right. You no longer have to have a permit for another species in order to hunt bear in the same unit, however the your choice of weapon must be the same. I can remember a few years back, a person could not hunt bear where an elk hunt was in progress etc. This is no longer the case. I called the G & F just the other day to ask that very same question. My problem is finding a bear. This is the first time I've really put in a considerable effort for bears, but for some reason am having trouble finding them.... at least in the pears. I have no idea how to hunt them other than glassing, but finding the right elevation is giving me fits. I'll keep trying.

I have to agree with Bull Widgeon on that one; nearly every New Mexico plate I saw had a truck load of hounds in it. I even saw USO stickers on some of them..... no doubt taking full advantage of what our quality state has to offer. Glassing is by far the most rewarding method to use.

Wow!!! Congratulations! You guys must have had the hotspot. I was up in 27 over the weekend in the higher elevations, but no luck. There were alot of guys running dogs all over the place which kind of made things more difficult. In any case, congrats---by the way, were you guys glassing them up or calling?

Hey Ya'll, Although I had a bonus point from last year, I am still thankful for a 3rd choice tag in uit 29 for November. I have spent very little time in this unit and the spots I have been to are pretty thick with vegetation and the unit seems to have a lot of private property. Is anyone familiar with this area? I prefer to glass and glass and glass rather than beating the bushes. Any ideas or help on areas to try would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gungho Coues Nut

Scottyboy, I have hunted 33 extensively over the years and agree with Bullwigeon that you have to be willing to get away from the roads. A couple of years ago I had a 33 tag and hunted mainly in the Happy Valley area. The roads were crowded and full of camps, but hiking in a few miles allowed me to see plenty of deer including a couple of monsters. I passed up 53 bucks that year. The peppersauce area has some good bucks too. Most of the hunters stay where the hiking is easy, but if you're patient, there are some good ones up there. Back to the happy valley area....try checking out the little rincons to the east. Access is limited and most of the hunters won't hike in very far. I agree with Redman that driving the roads during the October hunt can be beneficial. Most of the hunters during the Nov hunt will probably be in the same general area, and alot of spots are overlooked. I've seen these overlooked pockets hold lots of deer that have been pushed 1 or 2 ridges away from the masses. Good Luck! Gunho Coues Nut

I've hunted this unit a few times, both in the patagonia mtns and the northern part of the canelo hills. There are some good bucks in both mountain ranges. If you can get down for a weekend to scout it would be helpful. Water availability seems to be most important based on my experience. Normally the big tanks are dry in the hills but depending on where the ranchers are running cattle, they may fill some of them. Check out a forest service map and check the troughs connected to the windmills. Some spots to try are around Duquesne in the patagonias and red rock west of the canelos. Red rock seems to get considerable pressure down low, so get in as far away from the roads as you can. Good Luck, Gungho Coues Nut