Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting New Mexico unit 36

Ok I want to put this to bed on many levels. I pulled a muzzleloader tag for Unit 36 NM start date of 10/10/20.

I would like first hand knowledge of that zone, what size elk are typically coming out of that zone in regards to inches, at what point do I say pass or let’s go after it, I don’t need “all elk are trophies” what I need is good information on what to expect hunting hard, good shape, five day hunt with an outfitter.

Thank you in advance.

Ask the outfitter?

Great unit for 330-350+ elk. U may catch a late rut.

Thanks muy.

Deadhead you say something?

Opened this to share some info but for a new guy on here asking for info you’re pretty much an azz.

Yep, me too....

Never go full retard

Gentlemen,
GUSandRIP is my hunting partner and he is going to NM with me. He and I drew unit 36 and we chose unit 36 as our first choice on our application based on what the outfitter told us at the time. Now the outfitter seems to be giving us "different" expectations so he AND I are looking for some real world experience. Everyone is entitled to a bad day and GusandRIP had a bad day after arguing with me over some differing opinions on what to expect out of unit 36. When we booked with our outfitter, we did it based on bigger expectations then what we are getting now. I'm not going to say that our outfitter is doing anything wrong or that they have mislead us, it's just that we have talked to the outfitter and now we would like some real world experience on unit 36 from guys who hunt it or have hunted it. What do you see, what is an average bull size, is it steep as Idaho etc..... We are getting excited and we just want some info from those that have been there done that and aren't outfitters.....
I'll apologize for any offense that my buddy may have caused but please give him the benefit of the doubt. It was just a stressful day and he turned to you guys here for some info after arguing with me.... he may have came across wrong but he turned to the wealth of knowledge here.....
Any real world experience for unit 36 would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Bob

Yep, Can be Steep as [bleep]. this is the area where the ski area is, so that should give you an idea, but also goes down to sage, juniper.
That might look like a small unit, but it is huge
Good to great bulls, Big country.
It is where the Mescalero Indians shoot the crap out of elk every year.
There are no specific places to go from me, but there are elk everywhere in there, some need horseback to get to.
Who is the outfitter? If he is worth anything you should come out of there with a 340-380 bull.
Best be in shape...

Gonna be a long hunt if you guys are arguing over that stuff....

Good luck...

Who’s the outfitter and how many bulls you have you guys killed?

Hey Bob, super green up there right now, but it’s all monsoon grass. We were very dry all spring, so I’d say growth will be a little down this year. great unit, great dates. like someone mentioned same country as the Mescalero, but I believe they only average in the in the 330s. The wilderness is steep. Please don’t take offense, but I’ve got some honest questions. How big is yours and your buddy’s biggest bulls? If you you’re trying to best several 350 bulls or if it’s 370 or nothing, you’re gonna have to pass a bunch and you might be disappointed. Not impossible by any means, but if you have goals then you know what it’ll take to achieve them. Another honest question, and I don’t know y’all from Adam so I can’t say, but can you and your buddy tell the difference between a 330 and a 350? How about a 5 year old and an 8 year old type bull? Again, no offense but I have so many guys show up in camp and say they want a 350 bull but in reality they just heard that number and couldn’t tell the difference between a second year 6x and and 350. You sound like you’ve a good attitude which I promise your guide will appreciate and work hard for. They can’t control antler growth but a good positive attitude will keep them positive, we all want the biggest bulls on the mountain. I’m sure you do, but you should be thankful you drew a tag and are even getting to hunt, as there has been talk our beech of a governor has considered closing the hunting season somehow. Good luck and maybe you’ll kill a bull bigger than your buddy ! Hahaha

I appreciate the info....all of it! He and I are new to Elk hunting. We have been on one other hunt (Idaho) where he was successful and I wasn't. We chose this unit because we were told there were big bulls in there.... lately we have been told the average is 320. He started this thread for reassurance from guys that have been there and could speak from experience. I'll reply more later as I am late for work....
Thanks again to everyone.....this is what we were looking for and it's reassuring that we made the right choice.

I would agree but the only thing we have argued over is the differing info from outside sources.... We've had each others back since childhood. It wasn't my intention to make this seem like more than a difference of opinion.

To answer a few of the questions... I have killed bulls in Idaho 310”. Would we know the difference between 330”- 350” I would say no however have been reading a lot about field scoring hopefully the guide will be well experienced in field judging.Really looking for 350” I’d say would be my/our “goal”

The whole point of the discussion was/is to determine what to pass on and when to pass, do we want the biggest bull...sure we do however size will not determine our success and enjoyment of the hunt. The guide (not outfitter) said there are a really good amount of 330”-350” and there are 370”-400” but there like ghosts but they are there.

Jokingly I said to guide if you pull a 350” in front of me day one I’m taking him and he said I’ll remember you said that..

Really appreciate all the replies!

I'm not sure I'd be that choosy unless you are ok with eating the tag or a meat bull. The more you wait for the right antlers the higher the chances of the above, especially on a 5 day'er. 5 days of hunting is minimal for trophy expectations and unknown bugling. If it's been dry, the rut may be more spotty as this does effect elk health which effects cows cycling.

You'll get a feeling on day 1 how it's gonna go. Adjust from there...

No offense but sounds like you guys are setting yourself up for disappointment.

A 350 bull is a pretty lofty goal. See a lot of 320 bulls turn into 350 bulls on the WWW every year.

Are you guys willing to eat the tag for a 350?

Hey guys I hunted the 36 with Jim Bobb a couple of times. Has he retired. Have tried to find his contact info to no avail. Thanks.

Yep. You guys got a great tag, see a good bull that horns ya up, kill him.

350 is not a lofty goal in that Unit. I would guess there is 35% chance on that size. Unit 34, 36, 37 Have some big bulls.
The Outfitter would be the ONE BIG variable in that scenario.
Yes, I personally would eat a tag for less than that, but then again I would not put in for a tag that didnt have those bulls,
and I have hunted enough that the experience is 90% of a hunt.
I looked over some of the outfitters in that area pictures, and, I was amazed that they would even show
those as client pictures.

As you guys have said, the first day of the hunt will set the pace so to speak. If we are seeing/hearing a lot, I may be more choosy. My main goal is to have an enjoyable hunt and come home with a respectable Elk.... but we wouldn't be going there if we thought a 300" was average. We could do that in other places for less. What we are focusing on is getting in shape, and learning all we can on judging size. If I see a bull I want, I'll be in shape to go after him and I don't care what it takes to get him out. I'll be ready for all of that.

Thanks for all of the replies and info. It's good to hear from guys that have done it!

It’s all very confusing to me. Elevations, terrain and how rugged the unit can be everyone seems to say the same thing, been working out hard for 4 months biking, running steps, weighted pack hiking, losing weight, down to 175lb at 6’1” and still have two months to continue conditioning that part is within my control to the best of my ability living at 1500”. When you research the unit before and after booking and drawing tag everyone or things read say 350” plus now it’s slowing dropping down to 325”. PABOB is right we booked NM and went for unit 36 based on recommendations and research. It’s hunting I get it nothing is guaranteed and many things factor in that’s all understandable. I guess what the original question was is what is a reasonable expectation for that unit 300”, 325”, 350” etc etc given the elk GODS decide to cooperate and things go well on all levels.

As far as saying who the outfitter is I’m not comfortable with that in this discussion. He did come highly recommended and has been absolutely terrific with correspondence emails and phone conversations his website is the same as all 300” - 400” in area that’s a 100” difference that’s 8’ big swing would I shot a 300” in 36 no I wouldn’t not that unit not with a “once in a life time tag” so everyone is calling it.

You guys draw a tag or pick up a landowner tag?

I’ll be in unit 36, with my 40 year old son and my best friend, archery Sept 20 for five days. Any 6 point over 300” will suit me just fine. We are on 40,000 acre private ranch. Bought land owner tags.
I’ve killed five with a bow, my friend similar number. My son, never hunted them.
I’m excited.

This guy has the right idea for unit 36 hunting.

This is exactly what I’m talking about, if you read from top to bottom ever reply you see anything over 300” kill it, 350” is realistic, 330”-350” and 340”-380”

I have a plan for day one will adjust as needed. And to answer question we drew the tag with outfitter.

Let me take this a step further Unit 36, guided, muzzleloader, 5 day hunt would you do a 2 on 1 or a 1 on 1?

I'd shoot the first 330 I saw...

I think most are saying the same thing. 320/330’ish is a realistic attainable goal. Are there bigger bulls in 36? Absolutely, a governors tag has even been killed there. Despite others, I’ll stick with 350 is a lofty goal. Don’t confuse talk of top end with the average upper end bulls.

Like mentioned above, look at what they kill yearly on the Mescalero.

You have a great hunt, don’t let inches ruin it unless you would be perfectly happy eating your tags.

Well said SLM appreciate your thoughts.

An uncle hunted Mescalaro in the early '90s and killed a great bull. 396" if I remember correctly, just shy of 400". It took "extra" incentive to get on the BIG bull from what he said but that the guides knew where the big ones were.

Fast forward to circa 2010. I drew a tag in 36 and ended up getting a 320/330ish bull with a muzzleloader and was totally pleased. After the hunt, I drove over to the Mescalaro and went through the hunting museum. On the way over, I saw a bull off the highway bedded down that was a 370-80 class animal. Very cool to see. The museum was dated a bit but well worth seeing the mounts and such. There was a full mounted 6x6 that was absolutely stunning. Running down a hill, head tilted back, and bulging. An absolute beast of a bull. I reccomend to all if you are in the area to stop by and check it out.

The photos of the bulls that had just been shot were interesting. My public land bull was larger than 80%. Their hunts were $16K plus everything else then. There were a couple of bulls over 360 bur not many. I think they have big ones but they get pricey.

If you want to pm me your phone number and I’ll share my experiences of the unit.

Well said SLM. Getting wrapped up in inches is a terrible place to be. Nothing disappoints me more as a guide than a hunter being thrilled with a buck until we HONESTLY score him (as required by our management plan,) or vice versa.

The animal is what he is (hopefully a mature animal,) and the hunt is what it is (hopefully a great one filled with lifelong memories.) Paying more for a hunt or driving further doesn’t guarantee a bigger animal, though hunting prime areas does increase your chances at a once-in-a-lifetime animal. Don’t confuse that correlation.

You’ve done your research, paid for the hunt, and are preparing yourself in the meantime. Now, make the best of it and hope for a great, memorable hunt!

Good luck!

What SLM and ckat said.

My .02 is to get on cowboy time, embrace the adventure and thank GOD for the opportunity that lay in front of you.

Well??

No report?

They must still be packing Stetson out of that d****d canyon. The weather has been wonderfully mild and the herds we see are in good shape, not great, but this IS 2020.

Hunting licenses are hard to draw in good areas, so they should be happy with early luck. And we will watch this spot for further developments.