So after 13 years putting in I finally drew an archery mule deer hunt at Black Gap WMA . Its gonna be a tough hunt with a long bow so any help anyone has who has hunted there is appreciated. Any particular areas or compartments, tactics etc.

Congratulations on the draw.

What are the dates? It's going be tough if it's hot

Starts November 14 so should be nice weather. Course it could be cold as well.

Hunted out there in 2007 and saw plenty huge deer while stalking.. but I would not do that again. I shot a small buck while driving to my blind because we saw it feeding near the road.. was a younger deer.. the big boys wont give you that chance, very small chance and they know you are there.. Put a couple blinds up near or on water. It doesnt make for a great viewing hunt of the area.. but something will come to water.. there are those who will say contrary. I have hunted that method twice in the western wma Black Gap and Elephant mountain and both times came home with game.. Hunted this way last year on Elephant mountain and was flat at told by other hunters who had hunted there before, "dont waste time on blinds and water" .. I did just that and saw animals each sit.. Shot a Bull Elk off of water first night last year in Oct. Sit and wait them out.. makes for long hunt but more chance of successful shot and shot opportunity.. Not sure the rainfall they had out there this year.. when I went was a normal rain year and filmed a nice 180+ mule deer near side of road just outside my compartment. they have Big deer there. a nice one was taken last year there with a crossbow.. not sure the method. check the link to facebook.. there is a post with a nice mule deer buck and my elk.. the mule deer was taken with a crossbow on Black Gap. Good Luck

https://www.facebook.com/1667817606...iHj2m7ew7hmxmuZ1WtuqTxqTSa2zF4F2Eel/?d=n

https://www.facebook.com/TransPecosWMAs

Congrats. Definitely looking forward to getting the report back after your hunt.

Congratulations! I also drew (with my nephew). However, we are hunting the second hunt, beginning November 29-December 2. I've never visited this property before, so this is a new experience for me. I did hunt Elephant Mountain, five years ago on a rifle hunt and was fortunate to take a nice buck. I am assuming that this property is going to be similar to Elephant Mountain, as far as terrain goes. But I would definitely agree with safdm44, with regards to spot and stalk vs. hunting from a pop-up blind. If it's anything like Elephant Mountain, there is not much cover tall enough to help with spot and stalk. Good luck to you.

Up to top. One more week to go and I'm headed out . Have a question on the areas they assign, do they have you select the areas, or do they select them for you on this hunt? Still trying to decide if I'm gonna get up high glass, spot and stalk, or sit by a guzzler ( better on my 63 year old knees) as it looks like its gonna be dry . Any other info on the area appreciated.