Got drawn for archery Elk in unit 45 and could really use any info anyone might want to throw out. I will be making a couple trips up there over the summer but can always use an upper hand. Thanks.

You lucky bass lol.. Have never hunted there but best of luck.. Try bowsite or rokslide.com

Used to know that area really well. Let me dig around a bit and see if any of my contacts still work the area.

First of all, congrats!! That unit is very rough and vertical... Plan on backpacking in a bit to get away from the road hunters... It is truly a wilderness hunt, since the roads are quite limited.. I have never hunted there but have had quite a few friends that have and those that hunted hard and long can be successful... Make sure you're in shape, as the mountains there will test you to the limits for someone who lives in TX... I will be hunting for elk at the Valles Caldera this year!!! Only got a cow tag, but I have a cabin near the hunting area which will make it a luxory... Also drew a Unit 2b muley tag and hope to bring home a monster!!

Thanks guys....any info I can get is great! I currently live in Albuquerque so a friend and I will plan on doing as much scouting as possible between work and family.

Yemtig.....that mule deer is going to be awesome! That is THE premier mule deer unit in the New Mexico. If you need any info let me know. I have been putting in for that unit for two years now and have stock piled a good bit of info in case I ever got drawn.

Hamilton Mesa and Elk Mountain for Unit 45

Thanks for info... I have put in for Unit 2b the last 2 years but came up empty until the draw on thursday... Any help would be appreciated, since I am totally unfamiliar with that unit... Assume that I should hunt the boundary line to the Jicarilla indian reservation and hope for snow to drive em down from Colorado... Anyways, any help would be appreciated... You can contact me at yemtig@yahoo.com

Here's a pic of a friend's muley from that unit last year....



[This message has been edited by yemtig (edited 5/5/2012 8:13p).]

[This message has been edited by yemtig (edited 5/5/2012 8:20p).]

Yemtig.....email sent. Your assumptions are correct but be careful hunting the edge of the Jicarilla as they seem to think they own more land than is theirs in certain areas. Keep a map with you and know where you are at all times.

I know a little bit about that area..............

Well help a brother out Log....I know you have had success and if I remember correctly there was a big bull that was able to avoid an arrow.

If anyone would prefer you can email me at ctomanec@gmail.com. Thanks for all the help guys!

[This message has been edited by HCHunter (edited 5/6/2012 12:23a).]

We went in at Iron Gate and hiked along Hamilton Mesa up to Beatty Creek/Cabin. From there we continued up to the confluence of the Rito del Padre and Chimayosos Creek. Hunted and camped in that area in 2007 and 2011. In 2007, there were bulls bugling all around us. In 2011, there was the one bull that I missed and maybe one or two more. As we were hiking out last year, we called in a bull and heard about 20 more bugling down in the valley below Hamilton Mesa along the Pecos near Beatty Creek.

Short version, lots of bulls in that area, but they move around quite a bit. Very remote areas might have very few elk, and areas fairly close to trailheads and campgrounds might be covered up. Or vice versa.

[This message has been edited by Log (edited 5/6/2012 11:38a).]

Also start a Jacks Creek and hunt Grass and osha mountain too, along Hamilton Mesa and Elk mountain

[This message has been edited by Burnetaggie99 (edited 5/6/2012 12:33p).]

Thanks guys....I can't wait to get out there and check some of these areas.

Hamilton Mesa as others have said, and the north side of Elk Mountain. Dig around for fire info on fires from 2005-08.

If you can hike it pretty well, Spring Mountain.