Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting New Mexico units 16A & 16D?

So those of you that have hunted these units for elk, is it worth submitting each year? As a nonresident guided hunter my odds are slim of drawing and we have other options.

Also, what is the terrain like, quality of the hunt and quality of bull elk like?

thanks

I haven't been able to draw for several years and gave up for areas with less competition.

If I had a land owner tag and access to horses I would go back for sure. DIY hunting can be frustrating due to all the road hunters and even the outfitters disregarding rules and ethics.

Hiked a couple of miles away from roads only to have vehicles and even planes show up in the same area. Next it will be drone scouting.

Yeah, that's a problem with most of the 16 units these days. Won't be long before someone is going to end up getting shot.

Won't help your draw odds but put in for archery or muzzleloader, great hunt.

Neither unit has a ML hunt.

Can't say whether or not it's worth it for a non-res to submit every year - I live in NM and don't know the non-res process/odds. The odds for a resident MB tag are not so hot.

16A and 16D are good bull units but portions of those areas get hunted hard - and there are quite a few guided deals going on. Can be a PIA for the guy who likes to go solo.

Mostly ponderosa forests with juniper/pinyon at certain elevations/exposures, moderate canyons with some nice mesas/parks and decent ridge tops here and there. Lower elevations more juniper/pinyon and not so steep.