New Mexico unit 45 Elk

I drew an elk tag in unit 45 in New Mexico for the first rifle hunt October 14-18. I am unable to go there any before that to do any scouting although I plan to get there on the 12th so I can familiarize myself with the country and get a lay of the land. I am going alone and taking two mules with me. If any of y'all have hunted
this area and have any advice please don't be bashful. Thanks in advance!

Whats 45 near?

I hope you have a lot of experience with mules.

Sounds like quite the adventure. Stay warm, try to have a good time, and take each day as it comes.

That is right in my backyard. Take 63 north out of Pecos to forest road 223. Then right on 223 and go ALL the way to Iron Gate campground. This is the staging area for going into the Pecos wilderness. Get your mules ready there then go north on Hamilton mesa. Lots of good vantage points to glass and hopefully the bulls will still be bugling. Be sure and take a 22 or even a pellet rifle as there are lots of grouse on Hamilton. Be prepared for any kind of weather, but usually very nice in the high country in October. 1 more thing 223 is ROUGH so take your time, nothing worse to ruin your trip than a broken trailer axle. Not that I would know.

Yelp hunt the wilderness.

NMGW thanks for all that I appreciate it!

congrats on drawing the tag! I wasn't as lucky. You packing in? or riding in and out each day and camping close to the trailhead ?

Dude, there's your guide to invite!! I'd take steak and whatever he likes to drink at camp

Oh, Welcome to THF

This above and

Sounds like fun but I will spending my time trying to fill my own tags. Off range Oryx and Mule Deer.

Nitro27 I am planning on packing in and staying out until I hopefully get a bull or the 18th rolls around.
Thank y'all for the welcome.
I am picking up the mules this weekend and am going to start riding them and will take them out over night a time or two to get familiar with them. These are my friends mules originally out of New Mexico. I am very confident in my hunting ability and camping skills. I have been riding horses my whole life so I feel like once the mules get used to me I should ok there too. I am nervous about the country though. I've never been in the mountains unless you can count the hill country lol , but I have been running and working out to try to prepare.

That's the right way to do it. One thing people always underestimate is adjusting to the altitude, if you can give yourself a few more days before the hunt starts you will be glad you did. If you are young and in shape you will adjust faster. You will be hunting at around 10,000 feet. Here is a link to Iron Gate details.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/santafe/recarea/?recid=75902

The whole unit has elk not just the wildness. Nastier the country better the elk hunting, wether it's 1 mile off road or 12.

That is absolutely true BOBO but October is still early enough for the elk to be high, unless we get early snow which has not happened the last few winters. So the elk will likely be in the high country.

I only hunt Archery. Find the nasty find the elk is best advice I'll give. I have literally watched bulls cut up an 80 cow herd. Great unit. I'd be excited if I had the tag again. Unfortunately I don't but did draw 17 2018 Mulie tag

I wish you luck. Me and a couple of buddies tried this once and didn't get much hunting in as the horses were more work than we expected and pretty much ruined the hunt. Since you know horses you will likely fair better. My advice would be to take an inreach,wall tent with a stove and a good cot.

Altitude sickness may slow you down until you adjust. May want to go to your Dr. and ask for a prescription for an inhaler to help those first days. Also carry plenty of water and drink more than you normally do. Don't ask me how I know.

I never really thought about altitude sickness, but I will definitely have to go talk to my doctor about that, thanks.

Also keep in mind that the mules might be affected also. Depends on how high you plan on hunting.

Looking out my window the Pecos is getting some rain right now. That's good news for elk and deer. Should be a good season.

I envoy your view

If your not over 9000 elevation i wouldnt worry to much about altitude sickness, if coming from Texas those 1st few hikes youll feel like you cant catch your breath, drink alot of water.

If I am able to shoot some grouse while up there, and wanted to cook them that night or something, what kind of wood is the best for grilling with up there ?

Unit 45 varies from 7000 to just over 13,000. So very likely to be hunting above 9000.

I will take a GOOD mule over a horse any time.

Your only choices are Aspen, Fir, or Spruce. If I had to choose I would stay away from Aspen "stinks" and probably use Fir. Gather the dry dead stuff up next to a trunk and not laying on the ground.

they will go a lot more places then a horse. Especially in blow down

I picked up my buddy's mule this weekend and have ridden her twice so far and have really had fun with her. She is a well broke well mannered mule. I wish it was cooler here right now I would like to take her and the dogs out hog hunting but it's just too hot for any daytime hunting right now. Even nighttime hunting is pretty warm right now.

I was talking to friend yesterday and I mentioned that I would probably shoot the first legal bull I see, he thinks I should hold off and be a little more picky. I have guided 100's of deer hunters and it seems the ones who would take the first shot I told them to usually left a lot happier than the guys who were always hoping to kill a perfect trophy. What are yalls opinions on this? I'm afraid if I pass up a shot I may not get one the rest of the trip.

Just have fun. Elk steaks taste really really good, but elk season only comes once a year, so it's hard to end the hunt quickly . In that unit I've seen 170 (5x5) to a 330(6x6), and bunch in between.

[quote=
I was talking to friend yesterday and I mentioned that I would probably shoot the first legal bull I see, he thinks I should hold off and be a little more picky. I have guided 100's of deer hunters and it seems the ones who would take the first shot I told them to usually left a lot happier than the guys who were always hoping to kill a perfect trophy. What are yalls opinions on this? I'm afraid if I pass up a shot I may not get one the rest of the trip. [/quote]


A lot of times what dictates a hunt in the Pecos is the weather. So pay attention to the extended forecast and if it looks like it is going to be nice "NO WIND, and no heavy snow" then hold off if you are seeing some nice bulls. You lucked out on the moon, new moon is on the 19th so should be pretty dark.