I was drawn for November hunt at Black Gap.

Anyone ever been and have some pointers? Are you allowed to take a buddy to help out if said buddy didn't draw a tag?

From what I have seen it looks like a pretty tough hunt but has rewarding scenery and experience.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Never been to the place, but have been drawn on a lot of other hunts. The only other people allowed with you is whoever you put on your application. But you can always call ahead and ask the folks that are running the hunt. My guess it will still be no.

highfly... I was also drawn for the November archery hunt at Black Gap. I've never hunted in the Big Bend area but I've been told it is pretty rugged.

Have fun! I drew a rifle deer tag at Black Gap about 10 years ago. It was a great hunt. I shot a nice 3x3 but saw bigger deer in other compartments. Saying it is rugged is an understatement. I was pulling the tips of Spanish daggers from my shins 6 months after that hunt. The scenery is second to none and at that time the staff was excellent. They had a few skulls from bighorns laying out behind the office that they let me look at and take pictures of. For some reason I found that really cool. A good 4x4 truck will really help you out as well.

highfly and OLRUSTYDOG I would call Black Gap WMA and ask what is available there and what is near by. I went there with my son on a Youth hunt 20+ yrs ago and the only thing close was a RV park/store several miles away. We pulled a small camper trailer and stayed in it. Some people camped at the WMA. Make sure you are full on fuel as it is far and few between in that area. Good luck.

I went last year and I can tell you that it's tough. That actually might be a huge understatement. It was cool to see that environment. I will not do it again.....ever. I learned that in the desert most critters live their lives at night. It's too hot and they do not have enough water out there for animals to survive in the daytime. We camped in our compartment and I loved the experience.
My buddy from Idaho went with me. After two days and him buying the out of state tag I said "get in the truck" I've had enough! We drove back to Bryan and I put him on a nice 8pt whitetail the next morning in 20 min. That hunt is not for me.
I'm headed to Idaho in 2 weeks.

Scooter: Where you headed to up here???. Good luck and hope it's a great hunt for you.

If they let you choose your compartment, get one with a water source.
Call the biologist for Black Gap prior and ask what units do have water so you are not going in blind.
I hunted there many years ago and wish I could take the knowledge of the area I have now and hunt there again.

There are some very big deer out there. November (early) can still be warm but sitting the first half of your
hunt over a water source (all day) can be very productive. After that if no success be ready to hike- there are some
very rugged units out there and some milder rolling ones too.

I hunt in the Payette National Forest about 2 hours North of Boise near the small town of Council. That where my buddy lives.

It was super hot in November. They really should move the bow hunt to the first week in January. We hunted one of the first units on the left as you approach the ranch. We found an awesome scrape/rub and lots of foot prints. Our unit had two of the guzzlers on it. Every morning we would go by and smooth out the footprints around them. We hunted till dark. Never did we check the guzzlers to find any footprints until the next morning. We saw lots of Peckery and one Muley doe with two fawns. Never saw a buck. We did see an enormous bull Elk about 40 miles North of the ranch and two herds of speed goats on a ranch about 70 miles north.
The guys that worked out there are awesome. They are a class act for someone that lives in such a place.

Has anyone heard a report from the October archery hunt?