The Tags are in &I'm pumped to say the least, I'm headed to NMon Sept 3rd for 10 daysfor my firstElk Hunt and packing my Stick n String at that.
I got an either sex, and a Mule deer tag to boot, my bow's tuned, I've started running my butt off and shooting in the evenings.

Might I mention I'm going without an Outfitter, camping in Carson National Forest in a tent and eating MRE's for over a week!

I've been flipping thru Cabelas & Bass Pro looking to pay a light bill for them. Picked up a nice pair of Danner Boots in the Bargain Cave, collecteda few Elk calls & ended up with agreatpack frame from an auction.

Anyone have any words of wisdom for a Greenhorn Elk Hunter or have any experience in Unit 51 ? Typical Weather Conditions, terrain,Spot & Stalk versus stand hunting routes or water holes.

Lay it on me cause I'm like a dry sponge on crackright now !

Thanks
Vance

If you have not been to the mountains before I highly suggest you take care of your feet. Make sure you wear sock liners under your socks. Avoid blisters at all cost.Run your a$$ off to build up your lungs and legs. Get your weight down as low as possible. Get ready to hunt aggressively, chasing elk down, getting ahead of them. Easier than trying to call them in solo, especially if moving away.

I will be hunting nearly you in unit 52. First elk hunt for the girlfriend.

Amen on the working out, there is a huge difference in running around at under 1000 feet vs above 5000 feet. Get use to drinking a lot of water because it is mostly high desert in NM and you will get dehydrated in a hurry.

I have not hunted that unit so I can't help on that but your conditioning will help when the time comes. Just remember to pace yourself and keep extra batteries for your GPS, you may need them. It's not hard to get lost in the mountains. Depending on the weather it could be any where from T-shirt warm to snowing in the mountains so be prepared either way. Early Sept is more likely to be warm but you never know. Good luck on your hunt.

BTW, I'm hunting bulls and bucks in unit 15 this year.

Vance,

Just came back from camping trip. Saw 60 head of elk. Day time temp. was 71 high low 40 make sure to prepare to bear proof your camp. Lots of bears we did have one visit during the night bit nothing was avaliable except a bar of soap... Good luck! i WILL BE CHASING BULLS IN UNIT 15.

jVB NEW MEXICO

I saw a comment "Make sure you wear sock liners under your socks. Avoid blisters at all cost"

I.m heading out to New Mex Unit 6A on a 6.5 day guided hunt (Sept 7 -14) mostly on foot. I've been running and am pretty lean, but not sure on exactly what gear to bring. Planning on wearing my Danner Pronhorn non-insulated boots; and bringing Irish Setter 600 gram Thinsulate bots too - will they be too warm?

What kind of liners do you reccomend?