NM unit 21A archery - advice?!

[newalleye]

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

[Benbrown]

I will preface my remarks by saying that I haven't hunted this unit since the last time (before this year) that I drew an elk permit in New Mexico (in 1995). The elk will be high. If you come in through Mimbres, there is a road that goes up to a Forest Service cabin that was right on the divide of the Black Range. At the time that we hunted, it was first come, first served. I wouldn't have spent a night in that cabin on a bet, but there was water there: a spring and a corral. We saw a fair number of cows in the the mid-elevations, but the bulls were still scattered up high in all-male groups. They were starting to bugle, but would not come to a call. Fortunately, it was thick enough that one could approach fairly closely if you were cautious and paid attention to the wind. On the other hand, it was so thick that it was difficult to find a lane for a clean shot.

 

The east side of the divide is a Ladder Ranch allotment and they do a pretty good job of keeping people out. It is a pretty precipitous drop-off and if you went down there and killed something, it would be a bear to bring the meat and antlers out.

 

I scouted the north end with a friend about seven or eight years ago, and we found a lot of elk sign and saw a lot of cows and calves, but the bulls weren't bugling yet. We busted a few out of the thick stuff, but wouldn't have had a shot, even with a rifle. I know some folks there in Las Cruces that hunt that unit from the north side, but they haven't divulged any of their secrets. I will find out who is hunting this year and maybe I can pick up some specifics. The elk are there, but you will have to earn your bull. Hopefully, the rut will have started when your hunt gets under way--that's how the Las Cruces guys get their bulls...

 

I still think that it's a good draw for a bow hunter.

[newalleye]

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

[hunter4life]

In my experience there are more elk in the portions of the unit north of Winston. There is more road access and the pack out would be a lot easier than in the bigger country down by Hermosa. Benbrown is talking about coming up to the top of the divide from the west side in unit 24 by Mimbres and then up the McKnight canyon road which goes all the way up to the black range divide and is the border of 21a and 24. You will have to work for one on this hunt, but it can be quite good if the rut is going on.

[newalleye]

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.