I will have to check out new Mexico as well, never even looked there yet. Is there a good population of public land? Main thing with colorado is I know it has the highest elk herd but also has the highest hunter population and I'm only really familiar with unit 521 and that was during rifle and it was like a pumpkin patch out there, Kind of want to stay away from the crowds as much as possible. Any units you suggest for NM? Any idaho hunters here want to chime in about the pioneer zone.
Unit 49 in the Pioneers has a lot of elk but there's a lot of private land. Most of the private land is owned by the Flat Top Sheep Co. and is open for hunting without requiring permission but closed to camping and vehicles. It's walk-in only...and it can be a long walk if you don't have pack stock.
