newalleye

I'm in agreement that you can't go wrong with Leica, but if you're like me and budgeting to get the most equipment for your $$ the Nikon Riflehunter 550 isn't a bad model either. They're light, compensate for incline/decline which makes shots in rugged country much more doable, read accurately at close range for spot on archery hunting, give distances to over 600 yards (further than I'll probably ever shoot with a rifle), are very simple (only 2 buttons without all of the needless features that many models have), and are also quite affordable at around $250 from many online stores. I have these and am super-satisfied. Good luck with your decision!

Very neat.

Coues'n'sheep - I just meant to differentiate between depredation killing and fur harvest. I too, actually, have trapped many seasons (and continue to do so) as a means of earning extra money, paying for school, etc... and completely agree that it's hard work and a way of life for some. The hardest work I've ever done in fact, but a labor of love. I hope you'll admit, as a trapper, that learning about animal behavior, sign, and just plain being outside all serves as a form of enjoyment/entertainment/education. No offense intended, I just think some ways of making a living can also be enjoyable too. Sorry your trapping days are over... and I'm with you, born 100 years too late.

Last year I don't think they were announced until early August. They posted it on the NMDGF main page as soon as they were made available. Sure hope something is left.

Biologically speaking, deer populations should suffer little consequence as the result of a healthy bear population. Bears prey much more opportunistically than lions do and aren't as capable of taking down deer in their prime. They are more apt to feed on the sick, old, young, or already dead. Likewise, much of their diet consists of plant matter and their populations ebb and flow with the ecological effects of drought and hard winters (i.e. food availability). Lions are a whole different story.. Just my 2 cents.

Very neat. I wonder if anyone has any other specifics about this cat - male? female? Government agent or sport trapper? Few females were reported from this country, especially during the 1900's. Thanks for posting!

Great story and thanks for sharing. A fortunate year for sure!

I love the optimism in this tag, and that helped to clarify where benbrown was talking about. I'll take a careful look north of Winston...I'd hoped to stay away from pressured animals and a lot of competition. I assumed (and often do) that the further back in the sticks I was able to get the better my chances would be. I realize this is often a false assumption and results in overlooking some easy pickings. I noticed a lot of tanks/water in the northern part of the unit which left me hopeful. Is that country mostly pinyon/juniper and gentler than areas further south? I guess I'll find out when I scout, but I'm grateful for the pointers.

Hi guys - I'm a student at NMSU and haven't had any advice worth giving so haven't joined the forum until now. I love the pictures, stories, and advice offered and would like to ask for some help from you seasoned NM archery hunters. This will likely be my only opportunity to hunt elk in NM and I'm willing to do it right. I drew a tag during the late archery season in unit 21A (last 1/2 of September). I'll be hunting the hard way...on foot with no mules/4-wheelers, have put on many miles near Hermosa, and would like to know about the elk's patterns in this unit during that time. Are they still high (near the divide?)? Are any areas better for solo hunters like myself? Can water be found during this time of year? Should I expect bugling bulls and spot/stalk opportunities? Any advice for a beginner who knows little would be appreciated. There are likely some tips/strategies/questions that I didn't address and would appreciate feedback! Thanks in advance, greg

Thanks ben - that helps a lot. I'm not sure where you're talking when you say "through mimbres", but my approach in the past has been from the North through Winston/Chloride and then a long, rough forest service road to Hermosa. I think the divide is roughly 6 miles from that point, and like you said, some rough terrain. I struck out on drawing tags last year so felt fortunate to draw even under the realization that this hunt would be a lot of work. I'll be interested to know where the cabin you're speaking of is, just for the sake of the water and a starting point. Feel free to pm me if the details are tricky, and thanks for giving me a general idea of where to start my scouting/foot work! -greg