Gila Wilderness Unit 16B
 

I am headed to NM for my first elk hunt. Has anyone hunted 16B? I would like some tips on camo, packs, terrain, etc.

Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

a great unit in the Gila.

archery? which season?

Third week I believe, Sept. 19-24...archery hunt. packing in on horses. Could not be more excited. Have you hunted 16B? Thanks for the help

hunted 16 B, 3rd season archery a few years back, no luck though.

I stand corrected, I did hunt 16B!

I thought 16D was the wilderness for some reason.

by 3rd season most of the rains were done, the cover was quite green, unlike much of the rest of the gila.

the wilderness tends to be higher altitude I believe than the other 16's and stays greener etc...it has some rough country,

best of luck!

no luck...did you just not see any animals or just could not get shots? were they bugling the third week? i have heard the third week is when the bulls are most vocal.

Heard bugling everyday, some mornings more than others, actually day 1 was probably the most bugling, course that was the coldest morning of the week.

I think that 3rd week has the most noise, but probably the most bulls with cows too, can be tricky once they're with cows etc...

rather than saying be in the best shape of your life.... the better shape you are in the better it'll pay off.

we saw some elk, heard many more than we saw, my guide supposedly saw a 350 and could have shot it, I however only heard it, a lil mis communication, which did bumm me pretty hard, had he been where we discussed I probably would have killed that 350".

They're out there, hunt hard all week and I think you'd get a chance, of course that shot always comes when you're least prepared. I'd really be looking for a 6x6 300"+ there...they say every year my guide/outfitter views a 400", some other guys we were with saw some big boys, one guy saw a big 7x7, 1 guy got a shot and missed, and 1 other guy killed a 340" kinda non-typical.

I am definitely going to be prepared when I go. I am only 22 years old and stay very active but I realize it is much different than what I am used to. I have heard from multiple sources that the terrain is rugged. I am going to be sure that I can walk all day if need be. I have already looked up the moon phases and it is going to be very dark the week we are hunting, which should help with the bugling. Hopefully they will be vocal longer into the morning and rest all night. I am sorry to hear about the bad luck. I am sure you had a blast even though you did not get a shot. I am looking forward to this trip. It keeps me up thinking about it every night!

Not sure what the altitude is there but I take meds to help with altitude sickness when i go to Colorado. My first year hunting at 10,000 plus resulted in severe flue like symptoms and I had trouble breathing with asthma like symptoms. Since then I take a pill for 3 days before I get there and a day or two after and no more problems. I took my wife out there and she had the same problems her first trip which was in the summer. We have been back 2 other times and no more problems since we both took the pill.

Altitude is usually no more than 7800 that we recorded..mostly 6500-7500 is where we hunted

We camped around 7,000 feet, and hunted around 8,000 feet.

16B is higher than most of the other 16's I believe.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Keep it coming!

tsarge,

I believe we spoke last night, if you like, do a search under my user name of "Threads Started" you will read the positives of 2009 and the issues of 2010 (which you shouldn't have since your hunting with someone else)

The pics are posted on the threads as well
Rob

You better hope they stop that wallow Fire in Arizona and burn up 16b. It's already taken two of the best elk hunting units in Arizona.

Not sure 16B is in danger from the Wallow Fire. Though there are some spot fires near Diamond Creek, but nothing to be overly concerned about at this point.

The first year I went out 15,000 acres was burning during the summer, still plenty of ground to get lost in.

I suppose for this year if the fire doesn't stop that may be bad, but I've only heard good things about hunting burned areas...

Yes they move back into the area's almost immediately. Unfortunately with the drought we are currently having here in Arizona and New Mexico antler growth this year will not be nearly as good as the past few, if we get good moisture the next few years you could very well see some monster elk coming from those burned area's. Three years after the Rodeo/Chediski fire in 2002 (largest fire in the state until the now current Wallow fire) the area I live near there have been several 380 to 400 class elk taken even into the 2010 season.

Hey guys...i have been out of town all weekend. set up some trot lines and caught some nice blue and channel cats. anyways...elkhuntinut i will check out your posts. Thanks again for chatting with me the other night. The fire is definitely a concern at this point. I was not aware that the lack of moisture affects antler growth. That is a little discouraging. Regardless I am sure there will be some big boys in there.

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

Ya NM isn't looking too good this year on moisture...but of all the gila units I think I would want to hunt the wilderness in a dry year...it tends to be higher/wetter/greener.

It has been a dry spring, I really wouldn't worry though, what are you gonna do, not hunt? I don't think so.

I believe he shouldn't waste his time hunting this year with the drought, he should sign the tag over to me so I could waste my time.:s2:

Sorry lars...I think I will hold onto the tag! HAHA. I was fortunate to talk with elk a couple nights ago. He gave me some great tips (duct tape, sunscreen, air mattress, etc.). What other tips do you all have for hunting the Gila?

After talking to him I thought about asking..lol but with his excitement I doubt money would even pry that tag from his hands.

Elk..I am glad we are on the same page! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity...grandfather, father, and son! Three generations and three 300 class bulls! HAHA

Should be a good hunt for you. I've never hunted it, but the units around it are great so you should have a good time. Good Luck!

are you packing in or hunting out of camp?

We are packing in on horses and setting up a spike camp.

I'm certainly not the best elk hunter in the world but here are a few tips I have learned over the years.

first it makes no sense at all to be wasting time hunting elk where they are few and where theres little chance of seeing one!
do your homework, talk to the game and fish biologist and game wardens. don,t ignore the low elevations, if theres good water and cover elk can and do go into rolling hills and even creek bottoms at times.
elk can cover a vast area especially prior too and during the rut, you need to locate the herds, and hunt the areas the herd is currently in that day to be successful on a regular basis
you need to move camp and follow the herds.
locate the water and food sources, especially in dry areas as this tends to hold the herds to some extent at least during part of the day locate natural travel restrictors, like rivers,canyons,highways, high fence lines, saddles on ridges, steep cliffs etc.... while they may not stop elk they tend to route the herds watch the wind and stay out of prime bedding areas or you'll be likely to push the herd out of your immediate area don"t push the cows a bull may circle, spook a cow badly and she may travel to the next drainage. Start practicing your elk calling now. glass constantly, travel light, be prepared to move as needed. boots that fit, and have good ankle support are extremely important. learn to use topo maps they can give you a good deal of info if you understand elk.
generally north and east facing slopes and thick timber will be where elk hang out rather than the more open and less timbered south and west facing slopes no matter what physical shape you think your in it's often not enough. constant walking at 7000-11000 ft of altitude are common to elk hunting. I carry a good military poncho with a liner which is typically what I use to sleep in. Don't get caught up in the trophy madness a lot of hunters get caught up in and end up not taking an animal enjoy your hunt and if you like what you see take it.

have fun and good luck

LARS...I surely appreciate all of your tips and advice. I am extremely excited to get out there. Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I have heard from multiple sources that it is important to walk, walk, walk, especially with your pack. I am definitely going to do that!

Do you know where you will be going in at and where you will be setting up base camp? Who are you using for the mules?

I consider the Wilderness as my home unit. I hunt deer, elk when I or a friend is lucky enough to draw and spring turkey every year. During spring turkey I often see well over 200 elk and find some pretty nice sheds. A couple years ago my BIL drew out and he got a couple shots at a 370"+ class bull. The thing was huge and I think he is still out there. Backpacking in this year for second rifle.

Let me know I will try to point you in the right direction.

sanjuanfly

san...we are going with Gary Webb Outfitters. As for the exact location I am not 100% sure. I will try to look into it more. Thanks for your help. Good luck during rifle!

sarge,
that should be a very great hunt, especially with a great guide like Gary. Do you have any friends that are interested in hunting with you? I'm trying to sell an 16B archery tag for the Boy Scouts.

sanjuanfly

san...right now I do not know anyone looking for a tag. I would send a PM to elkhuntinut...he mentioned being interested to me about a month ago. hope this helps!

Sarge

sanjuanfly....PM Sent