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Feb 12th, 2024
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 New Mexico unit 45 Elk
#6849679
08/08/17 08:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39
Stxflood
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39 |
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!
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6851910
08/10/17 06:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833
sparrish8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833 |
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6851994
08/10/17 07:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
I hope you have a lot of experience with mules.
Pee on Photobucket
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6851997
08/10/17 07:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503 |
Sounds like quite the adventure. Stay warm, try to have a good time, and take each day as it comes.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852022
08/10/17 08:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
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. 
Last edited by NMGW; 08/10/17 08:20 PM.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852027
08/10/17 08:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427 |
Yelp hunt the wilderness.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852047
08/10/17 08:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39
Stxflood
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39 |
NMGW thanks for all that I appreciate it!
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852095
08/10/17 09:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659
Nitro27
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659 |
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 ?
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852096
08/10/17 09:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034 |
NMGW thanks for all that I appreciate it! Dude, there's your guide to invite!!  I'd take steak and whatever he likes to drink at camp Oh, Welcome to THF
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln
Dennis
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Western]
#6852100
08/10/17 09:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,854
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,854 |
NMGW thanks for all that I appreciate it! 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 
Last edited by Stub; 08/10/17 09:47 PM.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Western]
#6852299
08/11/17 12:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
NMGW thanks for all that I appreciate it! Dude, there's your guide to invite!! I'd take steak and whatever he likes to drink at camp Oh, Welcome to THF Sounds like fun but I will spending my time trying to fill my own tags. Off range Oryx and Mule Deer. 
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852321
08/11/17 12:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39
Stxflood
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39 |
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.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852348
08/11/17 01:16 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
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
Last edited by NMGW; 08/11/17 01:16 AM.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852352
08/11/17 01:19 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427 |
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. 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.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#6852363
08/11/17 01:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
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. 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.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: NMGW]
#6852409
08/11/17 02:03 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427 |
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. 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
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852731
08/11/17 01:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659
Nitro27
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659 |
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.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6852743
08/11/17 02:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,766
spacejunkie
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,766 |
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.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6853057
08/11/17 06:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39
Stxflood
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39 |
I never really thought about altitude sickness, but I will definitely have to go talk to my doctor about that, thanks.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6853215
08/11/17 09:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,766
spacejunkie
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,766 |
Also keep in mind that the mules might be affected also. Depends on how high you plan on hunting.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6853217
08/11/17 09:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
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.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: NMGW]
#6853467
08/12/17 01:26 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,427 |
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
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: spacejunkie]
#6854930
08/13/17 08:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833
sparrish8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833 |
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. 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.
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: Stxflood]
#6855852
08/14/17 04:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39
Stxflood
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 39 |
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 ?
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Re: New Mexico unit 45 Elk
[Re: sparrish8]
#6857756
08/15/17 11:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729
NMGW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,729 |
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. 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. Unit 45 varies from 7000 to just over 13,000. So very likely to be hunting above 9000.
New Mexico: Not Really New, Not Really Mexico
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