Headed to NM Unit 51A later this afternoon with my two boys to scout muleys and get a lay of the land.

Good luck to everyone afield!

Starting to get pumped my for Idaho Elk hunt (Elk City Unit). Got family that has been on and off scouting for us. Looks like it might be a tough year.

Came home early. No bugles to be found. No movement other than dinks. Will go back out another day when it isn't 93 degrees

NM Unit 51 Scouting Trip Report:

The hills were alive, as they say. Some areas with LOTS of people. Prolly just Labor Day camping trips. Lots of dirt bikes and UTVs.

Visited a lot of what I'd identified on Google Earth and GOHUNT Maps. Some places were inaccessible due to down trees or road washout.

Biggest disappointment was that we didn't see a damn thing. No elk. No deer.

I'm not sure I have a better plan after being here than I did before I came.

Will call USFS and NMGF for some pointers when they open tomorrow.

What are your hunt dates?

Oct 29 - Nov 2

The hunters renting a few rooms at my house showed up an hour ago. They looked like they just spent a month in the Gobi. Red as can be from the sun, dehydrated and frustrated. They sat over water holes in gmu24 for three days and didnt hear a bugle, see more than a few cows and are convinced they saw every dirtbike in CO. They hiked close to 35 miles since Friday. They are coming back the last week of the season I think, so maybe they can redeem themselves.

I rode up to YellowJacket Pass last night and talked to a few folks. Nothing going on there it seems. Saw two very nice mule deer kills at camp but no elk. I had never really been back there too far and it sure is pretty but I can see where it would be asses to elbows in rifle season. There are still a lot of sheep up there, so I imagine elk are long gone till first snow or for a while at least.

Who are you hunting with up there? I leave in 2 weeks for the same.

Yukon Stone Outfitters. I head north Wednesday evening. I'm packed and ready! Probably shoot my rifle one last time this evening.

Awesome! I'm goin with Blackstone. Good luck!!

Isn't it a good thing that it worked out for both of you?

Maybe I'm missing why the thumbs down.

Leaving for a Colorado bear hunt in the morning. will be my entrance into Western hunting and i don't think I could be more excited.

STL_aTm said:

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Leaving for a Colorado bear hunt in the morning. will be my entrance into Western hunting and i don't think I could be more excited.

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Welcome to the sickness.

AgLA06 said:

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STL_aTm said:

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Leaving for a Colorado bear hunt in the morning. will be my entrance into Western hunting and i don't think I could be more excited.

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Welcome to the sickness.

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Oh ah ah ah ah

It's hot, the elk aren't talking, and I'm down to my last hunt….

When all else fails, go after them in the deepest, darkest, nastiest stuff. And hope for the best.

AgLA06 said:

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Isn't it a good thing that it worked out for both of you?

Maybe I'm missing why the thumbs down.

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That was a error on my part, but loosing my hand is going to put a serious dent in the time I can get away.

BradMtn346 said:

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AgLA06 said:

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Isn't it a good thing that it worked out for both of you?

Maybe I'm missing why the thumbs down.

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That was a error on my part, but loosing my hand is going to put a serious dent in the time I can get away.

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Oh, I get that. Sorry man.


BTW, I love how that dude styled his hair to match the muly's antlers.

Yep, Its supposed to cool off here this week so maybe they will get to talking. Sucks for me, I had outpatient surgery today with some complications, so I lose this weekend to hunt. Good news is that my new pup is arriving to CO by the generosity of a fellow OB'er bringing him up.

I forgot about you and the dog. Had I known about going on this hunt more that 3 weeks ago, I would've gladly helped out. Good luck!

AgLA06 said:

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BradMtn346 said:

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AgLA06 said:

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Isn't it a good thing that it worked out for both of you?

Maybe I'm missing why the thumbs down.

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That was a error on my part, but loosing my hand is going to put a serious dent in the time I can get away.

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Oh, I get that. Sorry man.


BTW, I love how that dude styled his hair to match the muly's antlers.

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All I can say is California.

AgLA06 said:

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Hey now.


Occasionally we accidently find ourselves in the right place and kill something. There's no antidote for that.

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I don't believe it. That's just a story all of us addicts tell ourselves (and our wives) to justify the obsession!!!

harge57 said:

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All chips are in for tomorrow as its my last day. Hopefully the front blowing in will get them talking tomorrow.

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Good luck. My Nevada hunt just wrapped up. Headed to smoke filled Idaho.
Nevada was absolutely incredible. I share some stories when I get time.

Stuck another night inWhitehorse. Bad weather for the float plane.

How high were you? That was probably just an elk at elevation. At least that's what we try to tell the tourists here- deer turn into elk above 9K, and elk turn into moose above 11K.


Sorry for the tag soup so far. You will never regret the miles or memories. Quite a cool thing to sneak in that close to a big bull of any species. I've never gotten to see a moose on the hoof yet- so I'm a tad jealous.

Saw 2 cows where your are going last night. They will be firing up next week I think

Between the warm early September, new moon and solstace I'm feeling significant pressure to make a kill