Outdoor writer

I just drew a tag for New Mexico elk unit 15 2nd season. I am looking for any info or tips from anyone that is familiar with this area. How crowded is the area? Good places to take an elk for processing? Amount and quality of elk in the area? Advice on where to go? Cheap motels? Is it worth buying a bear tag? Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

I live in Illinois and have taken several P&Y bucks and would be glad to offer advice to anyone coming here for whitetails.

THANKS!!!

mickeyelk

I hunted area 15A back in 2000 with a guide. If you need any assistance e-mail me with some questions.

handloader1

Unit 15 is a very good area to hunt; 400+ bulls have come out of unit 15. The Bunk House Bed & Breakfast is a good place to stay because it is in Apache Creek (Unit 15) Ph. (505)533-6949. You can also stay in Reserve at the Road Inn Ph. (505)533-6661, or Elk Country Camp Ph. (505)533-6615. What are the dates of your hunt or hunt code? Lonesome Dove outfitters will cold store your kill for you for a small fee Ph. (505)533-6533. I don' t know where you can have your meat processed; I know a bucher up north who takes care of my meat. I don' t know if it will be worth purchaseing a bear tag at this time, I purchased one last year and did not tag out. Is your hunt going to be a self guided hunt? I did not draw an elk tag in Unit 16D (Across the road from Unit 15) this year, but I think the NM Game & Fish might of made a mistake in my situation I will inquire tomorrow. Good luck on your hunt!!

Outdoor writer

Thanks for the info, Handloader. I will be archery hunting during the 2nd season and it will be self-guided. Do you have any areas within the unit that you can point me to?

handloader1

Take a look at Sand Flat Canyon. Good luck.

PaJack

I stayed at the Road Inn in Reserve back in 2001 for a pronghorn hunt! At that time it was $25 a night,nothing fancy but nice...

klshoe

Unit 15 is a good area, but can become crowded if you hunt from an ATV - so many do now a days. As pointed out earlier Sand Flats is a good area. My dad and I hunted in there for deer last year and found out we were only about a half a mile away from their usual hang out. But as for elk the best tip I can think of - I also have a tag for unit 15 - is to get a good topo map and another map that shows all the little roads and stick to the thick canyons and the tops of hills and mountains. The area hasn' t had much rain at this point in the year but the monsoon is coming so hopefully we will get some then. If you have any other questions email me at [email protected]

Ken