Area 15B, New Mexico
09-09-2002, 08:29 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bardstown Kentucky USA
Posts: 109
Area 15B, New Mexico
In my second year of applying, I have drawn my second muzzleloading tag for elk in New Mexico. Last year, I took a nice 6x6 bull north of Ruidoso in October while the bulls were still bugling. This year, I have drawn Area 15B (Gila area) for the November 9-13 hunt. I am using United States Outfitters again this year. Is it always this easy (
) or am I getting terribly spoiled? Any info on this area would be appreciated.
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) or am I getting terribly spoiled? Any info on this area would be appreciated.Work is for those who don't hunt (or those of us who must work in order to afford to hunt!)
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09-10-2002, 07:48 PM
#3
Fork Horn
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Location: Bardstown Kentucky USA
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RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Out of state and using a guide namley USO yes almost always will draw under the current regulations. I would try to get the Valle Vidal next year (Once in a lifetime hunt) BIG BULLS.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
Just curious, how does being out of state and using an outfitter increase my odds of drawing a lottery tag? I understand that they are only entering my name in high quality areas, so that if I do get drawn, it is to a good area. But I don't understand how that increases my odds.
Work is for those who don't hunt (or those of us who must work in order to afford to hunt!)
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Out of state and using a guide namley USO yes almost always will draw under the current regulations. I would try to get the Valle Vidal next year (Once in a lifetime hunt) BIG BULLS.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
Just curious, how does being out of state and using an outfitter increase my odds of drawing a lottery tag? I understand that they are only entering my name in high quality areas, so that if I do get drawn, it is to a good area. But I don't understand how that increases my odds.
Work is for those who don't hunt (or those of us who must work in order to afford to hunt!)
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09-10-2002, 09:51 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Scottsdale Arizona USA
Posts: 527
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
I have hunted NM in a poor unit for several years. I think they have an outfitter preference for the draw because they ask on the app if you are using an outfitter. So much private land and tags for sale that outfitters use them but have clients also put in for the draw so they can save $$. I think you are hunting the Gila and have a super chance for a trophy bull. Best of luck and put the photos on so I can be REALLY jealous. Good luck. By the way I did kill elk every year and a 340 bull in my cheap unit.
09-10-2002, 10:55 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Posts: 3,516
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
Unit 15B is a very good area to find a good bull. I drew a bull tag in 16D just across the street from unit 15B. My cousins use to guide for USO, but they refuse to guide for them anymore for reasons I will not get into. My advice to you is to get a hold of topo maps for 15B, and study them hard. Make sure you have clothes for all weather. Make sure you have all your supplies Apache Creek, and Reserve are very small towns. Make sure you are in good physical and mental shape it is a rugged area. A cousin was mending fences and said, "There are elk everywhere". Good luck.
Edited by - handloader1 on 09/10/2002 23:57:05
Edited by - handloader1 on 09/10/2002 23:57:05
09-11-2002, 02:17 PM
#6
Fork Horn
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bardstown Kentucky USA
Posts: 109
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
Here is my attempt to post a picture of last year's elk. Scored 334 3/8 B&C.
Work is for those who don't hunt (or those of us who must work in order to afford to hunt!)
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Work is for those who don't hunt (or those of us who must work in order to afford to hunt!)
NRA Benefactor Life Member
NWTF Member
Buckmasters Member
RMEF Member
09-11-2002, 02:25 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Aztec NM USA
Posts: 63
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
DOC -
Current regs in NM allow 20% of the licenses to out of staters. Out of that 10% goes to ones that are guided. More applicants from out of state apply for non-guided hunts so your actual chances of drawing is far greater. And even though 80% goes to residents the percentage of drawing is low because of the number of applicants. Hopefully this clarifies the system for you. It may be the last year for this restriction due to the AZ judges ruling.
Anyway I am in 15B with a muzzleloader in OCT. Going scouting this weekend. Hope to spot some rut crazed bulls.
Current regs in NM allow 20% of the licenses to out of staters. Out of that 10% goes to ones that are guided. More applicants from out of state apply for non-guided hunts so your actual chances of drawing is far greater. And even though 80% goes to residents the percentage of drawing is low because of the number of applicants. Hopefully this clarifies the system for you. It may be the last year for this restriction due to the AZ judges ruling.
Anyway I am in 15B with a muzzleloader in OCT. Going scouting this weekend. Hope to spot some rut crazed bulls.
09-12-2002, 08:51 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 3,516
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
dperry:
I will be scouting 16D this weekend also maybe we can meet each other. If you have a cell phone #, E-Mail it to me [email protected]. I will be staying at The Elk Country Inn (in Reserve). I will be leaving Friday morning at 9:00 AM., and will be in Reserve about 2:00 PM. Hope to see you there.
I will be scouting 16D this weekend also maybe we can meet each other. If you have a cell phone #, E-Mail it to me [email protected]. I will be staying at The Elk Country Inn (in Reserve). I will be leaving Friday morning at 9:00 AM., and will be in Reserve about 2:00 PM. Hope to see you there.
09-13-2002, 06:09 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: hartland wi USA
Posts: 116
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
DOC -
Current regs in NM allow 20% of the licenses to out of staters. Out of that 10% goes to ones that are guided. More applicants from out of state apply for non-guided hunts so your actual chances of drawing is far greater. And even though 80% goes to residents the percentage of drawing is low because of the number of applicants. Hopefully this clarifies the system for you. It may be the last year for this restriction due to the AZ judges ruling.
Anyway I am in 15B with a muzzleloader in OCT. Going scouting this weekend. Hope to spot some rut crazed bulls.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> Actually its 12% for guided, 8% nonguided. Thats one reason USO is hated by nonres hunters who dont want to spend money for a guide. Uso lobbies for everything they want. And i talked to lots of guides who worked for them in the past and say they are "users"
DOC -
Current regs in NM allow 20% of the licenses to out of staters. Out of that 10% goes to ones that are guided. More applicants from out of state apply for non-guided hunts so your actual chances of drawing is far greater. And even though 80% goes to residents the percentage of drawing is low because of the number of applicants. Hopefully this clarifies the system for you. It may be the last year for this restriction due to the AZ judges ruling.
Anyway I am in 15B with a muzzleloader in OCT. Going scouting this weekend. Hope to spot some rut crazed bulls.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> Actually its 12% for guided, 8% nonguided. Thats one reason USO is hated by nonres hunters who dont want to spend money for a guide. Uso lobbies for everything they want. And i talked to lots of guides who worked for them in the past and say they are "users"
09-15-2002, 11:53 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 3,516
RE: Area 15B, New Mexico
DocHunter:
I went scouting this weekend (13th-15th) in Unit 16D (accross the street from Unit 15B), and it is very wet. It rained four days before I arrived there and continued to rain, and is supposed to rain all this comming week. They are not rutting, so they are not vocalizing. We did not see any elk at all; we saw some track and a few rubs. The bow hunters are not very happy due to the rain. I saw one guy with a satellite bull, and that's about it. Good luck.
Edited by - handloader1 on 09/16/2002 00:55:53
I went scouting this weekend (13th-15th) in Unit 16D (accross the street from Unit 15B), and it is very wet. It rained four days before I arrived there and continued to rain, and is supposed to rain all this comming week. They are not rutting, so they are not vocalizing. We did not see any elk at all; we saw some track and a few rubs. The bow hunters are not very happy due to the rain. I saw one guy with a satellite bull, and that's about it. Good luck.
Edited by - handloader1 on 09/16/2002 00:55:53