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First Trip to SE NM
#8961097
11/24/23 10:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196
q-all
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196 |
Hello All, I am preparing to go hunt New Mexico the end of this week for the First Time. Hunting all Public land, After studying OnX and reading reports I think I am going to base out of Hobbs and hunt south and west towards Carlsbad. I have 3 experienced wild bird Dogs that have been on all the Prairie Birds from North Dakota down to Kansas so I hope they can figure out the Blue quail decently fast.
Anybody have any reports on numbers out that way this year or any general tips or advice?
Thanks to All.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8961115
11/24/23 10:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,617
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,617 |
I’ve never been, looking forward to a report when you get back.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8961172
11/25/23 01:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 444
brownthunder
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 444 |
Quality boots for you and your dogs. Bring plenty water.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8961460
11/25/23 07:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21
roadscholar
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21 |
Just spent a few days there last week. Sent you a pm.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8965002
12/01/23 01:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,385
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,385 |
Screw in a full choke. Those birds are wild. If the cover is as thin as it usually is the only dog work you’ll get is picking up dead bird. I haven’t been in the last couple of years but in 2015 we were flushing 50 coveys a day. That’s the amount of bird you need to hunt that country. It’s declined a lot since then we haven’t been since 2020. I’d always just bring one dog. My best dead bird dog.
The way to hunt it is to drive around and shoot them on the run to bust them up out the window if you can get close enough. Sometimes you can get a few points after they bust up good.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8968995
12/07/23 12:42 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196
q-all
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196 |
Report;
Went and hunted 2 full days mostly south of Hobbs. First day was decent hunting. Found 8 Coveys and got most pointed then got really nice dog work hunting singles. Second day was tougher. Only found 5 coveys and they ran like crazy. Overall good trip and fun to learn a new area, bird numbers weren’t great and probably wont go back until numbers are better again. Will probably venture further west next year to get into Gambels as well as the Scalies.
Thanks for all the help.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8969027
12/07/23 01:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,617
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,617 |
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8969028
12/07/23 01:29 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,260
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,260 |
Report;
Went and hunted 2 full days mostly south of Hobbs. First day was decent hunting. Found 8 Coveys and got most pointed then got really nice dog work hunting singles. Second day was tougher. Only found 5 coveys and they ran like crazy. Overall good trip and fun to learn a new area, bird numbers weren’t great and probably wont go back until numbers are better again. Will probably venture further west next year to get into Gambels as well as the Scalies.
Thanks for all the help. See any muleys?
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: Jgraider]
#8969544
12/07/23 10:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196
q-all
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196 |
Didn’t see any, but did pick up a pretty nice mule deer shed.
Saw tons of coyotes. Like over 10 each day.
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8975340
12/19/23 08:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183
ScrapIron
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183 |
i was on a mule deer hunt in November between Silver city and Lordsburg. i saw LOTS of coveys, all on public land. by lots i mean 10-15 a day just riding in the hills. they all ran and scattered fast, the only i saw that wanted to hold was literally between my feet, and i got it with my walking stick. sure was a good eating bird, and made me wish i had my shotgun instead of rifle
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Re: First Trip to SE NM
[Re: q-all]
#8980100
12/30/23 07:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,904
Biscuit
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,904 |
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