Buddy and I are seriously considering an OTC 2nd Rifle hunt in 36, 33, 24, or 35. 33, 24, 35 is probably around my favorite areas of Colorado but he hunted 36 a couple years ago.

I sent you an email, but you happen to know if any of those would be worth trying over the other? We'd probably hike in and hammock camp so could go in a bit. Just don't want to out hike in what I don't want to pack back out lol.

I see your email, will respond later tonight or tomorrow. I only know 24 and would recommend it. Just know that is some tough hiking though if you dont have horses.

Hoyt Ag said:

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I see your email, will respond later tonight or tomorrow. I only know 24 and would recommend it. Just know that is some tough hiking though if you dont have horses.

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My buddy lives at elevation in Ruidoso and about liked to have killed me last time we hunted near Cloudcroft in NM.

Sounds like he's out to try and finish the job

Great pic. I've been eying 49 for a long time. The amount of points that unit has jumped in point Creep is crazy.

I had to give up on 1st rifle out there. It's been 1 or 2 points out of each for years.

Unsuccessful for WY antelope (3rd application)

How many points did you have?

OwlAg13 said:

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Alright guys, need some advice as I am likely not going to be able to make three trips from Houston out to NM..
What are your thoughts on these hunts and am I crazy for not doing anything I can to make all 3?
My thought is to go for the pronghorn with rifle in Sept as my odds of success are likely pretty high, skip out on the late season archery elk hunt, and then go back for the early Jan 2027 archery deer hunt and maybe hit the rut/get lucky. Can't believe I'm considering skipping a chance for an elk, but I think that will be a tough hunt.

1. DER-2-310
BOW | Jan 01-15 | FAD
Bag Limit: Any fork-antlered deer
Unit 32, including Prairie Chicken WMAs

2. ELK-2-355
BOW | Dec 19-23 | APRE/6/A
Bag Limit: 1 w/ 6 points on one side or antlerless
Unit 34

3. ANT-1-169
Any Legal Sporting Arm | Sep 26-28 | MB
Bag Limit: 1 mature buck
Unit 31 south of US 380

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I was drawn for Unit 36/37 for New Mexico pronghorn for early October. These units basically are west of Roswell, go north from Ruidoso up above the Jicarilla & Capitan mountains. Huge area. Lots of hunting area within the Lincoln National Forest and then lots of BLM land on the eastern edges of the units (towards Roswell). There is also BLM area north of Tularosa.

Better to try on the eastern side closer to Roswell or go into the Lincoln National Forest? Anyone have suggestions?

Bumping this up for the guys going hunting this fall. How are your summer workouts going? It's getting pretty dang hot, getting harder to log afternoon miles. I've just about shot my target to pieces!

I haven't hunted pronghorn in those units, but have hunted elk and mule deer in the northern foot hills of the Capitans. My suggestion would be to scout the north and north east parts of 37. More grasslands up there for pronghorn.

One of the larger pronghorns I've seen in person was just on the north side of the Capitans where the foothills meet the grasslands. Highway 246 north out of Capitan goes through some state land where it mixes with large ranches running cattle (and have water tanks for them). Big boy was right there where 246 makes a 90deg east turn towards Encinoso.

I'd start there and then work toward the blm land north and east of there.

Workouts are slacking but shooting a lot! Hurry up September

That's great! Keep up the good work!

Good for you! Im hiking daily with a weight vest, the problem is I live at 41ft.

Good luck and have a safe trip. Im heading out Friday morning for Utah.

Good luck gentlemen! I'll be watching (reading this thread) from the sidelines again this year. Smoke some big ones and please post your trips, regardless of if you kill anything or not.

Ill be heading to unit 45 in Colorado for archery elk. We shall see, never been there before.

Camp Hale would be a great base of operations. You backpacking or base camping and glassing from vehicles/sxs? Good luck!

Opening day tomorrow and high of only 75. Stay home and work or sit up one one these 3 wallows I found last week?

No bull pics so apparently you chose work?

Spent this weekend camped about 120mi north and 1k ft lower than where I'll be hunting Saturday. Heard elk bugling early and late, timing may be perfect. So psyched!

They are starting to talk in unit 12, 24, 23 in CO.

Sooo many dead bucks (including one bullwinkle in velvet) dead along 24 west of Woodland Park

Charismatic Megafauna said:

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No bull pics so apparently you chose work?

Spent this weekend camped about 120mi north and 1k ft lower than where I'll be hunting Saturday. Heard elk bugling early and late, timing may be perfect. So psyched!

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I did go and just got out for the 3rd visit since opening day. It was 30 I had to throw a hoodie on. Only seen muleys so far. Did find a new rub today and heard one faint bugle.

Next week I am with my daughter who tagged in WY. Hopefully have a nice bull pic about a week + hunting the Ghros Ventre east of Jackson next week.

Driving up tomorrow night, hiking in Saturday morning!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!

Report: Just back from archery in New Mexico 16C.

Very little sign. Few elk even seen. I saw bears and coues deer and plenty of mulies. I was surprised at how little elk sign there was. They were not in there. Got same report from all other hunters I spoke to. Tough hunt. Had a great time in the woods though.

Bummer! Gila is a magical
Place I hear

Seems weird to me that A&M wasn't "expected" and was just on the list.



Goodluck!