New Mexico drawn hunts for elk.

[RGV Hunter]

I was reading up on the draw hunts for New Mexico. The odds are not good for a non-resident attempting to do a diy hunt (6%). You need to hire an outfitter to have better chances of drawing.

[JW774]

Yes…

[jnd1959]

6% annually ain't bad for a trophy state. Still, an outfitter will certainly bump your chances.

[RGV Hunter]

Anyone have recommendations for an outfitter? I would like to speak with an outfitter and find out if I can afford one or not.

[CrossTimbers]

Originally Posted by RGV Hunter

Anyone have recommendations for an outfitter? I would like to speak with an outfitter and find out if I can afford one or not.

Mike Root
www.mikerootguide.com

I've hunted with him several times, shoot me a PM if you want more info.

[Nate Riley]

https://www.bullbusteroutfitters.com/

Their prices are online.

I have yet to be drawn in NW. Last year was my 13 year old daughters first year applying and she drew a pronghorn tag and a deer tag (they were youth hunt tags which have somewhat better odds). She was successful on both. Paul and Mark at Bullbuster were great.

[Bulldawg87]

An outfitter doesn't necessarily improve your odds. You need to understand the tags available vs number of applicants of each pool.

Outfitter get 10% of the pool, but in many cases there are more applicants for the 10% outfitter pool than the 6% non-resident pool.

Look at 21A, just a quick example I pulled for 2nd Rifle.
35 Total Tags
Non-residents get 2 of those tags, outfitter pool gets 3 tags

Non-Resident Applicants = 66 applicants for 2 tags = 3% odds
Outfitter Pool Applicants = 163 applicants for 3 tags = 1.8% odds.

So, in this example, your odds are nearly double to apply as non-resident (6% tag allocation) with no guide than in the outfitter guided pool (10% tag allocation).

Still slim odds either way. But you have to apply to have a shot!

I drew a 1% odds tag last year btw, so it can happen!

[smithb164]

Originally Posted by Bulldawg87

An outfitter doesn't necessarily improve your odds. You need to understand the tags available vs number of applicants of each pool.

Outfitter get 10% of the pool, but in many cases there are more applicants for the 10% outfitter pool than the 6% non-resident pool.

Look at 21A, just a quick example I pulled for 2nd Rifle.
35 Total Tags
Non-residents get 2 of those tags, outfitter pool gets 3 tags

Non-Resident Applicants = 66 applicants for 2 tags = 3% odds
Outfitter Pool Applicants = 163 applicants for 3 tags = 1.8% odds.

So, in this example, your odds are nearly double to apply as non-resident (6% tag allocation) with no guide than in the outfitter guided pool (10% tag allocation).

Still slim odds either way. But you have to apply to have a shot!

I drew a 1% odds tag last year btw, so it can happen!

Beat me to it in regards to how the 6% and 10% are allocated..... I have yet to successfully draw either NR or with outfitter.

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by smithb164

Beat me to it in regards to how the 6% and 10% are allocated..... I have yet to successfully draw either NR or with outfitter.

Good luck this year! I'm working on my odds info as I type this....I did however fix my odds though.

I bought some land there end of 2022 and will probably end up with 2 or 3 tags this year, in the event I don't draw

[CrownKiller14]

NM elk tags are like lotto tickets... You buy expecting not to draw, but could be the hunt a of lift time if you do draw...

But you can't win (draw) if you don't play.

You can apply for regular NR tags and still use a guide. I've been DIY for mule deer and elk in NM/CO for 4 years in a row (0 for 4) on okay tags, and I would recommend anyone with a "good tag" to use a guide. Don't burn a primo tag trying to be "Mr. DIY". Even with the little experience I have if I got a primo tag I would go guided. What I've learned is the animals use 10% of the landscape and that country is huge, and trying to find that 10% in a week isn't easy. Everyone thinks they're a youtube hunter till their boots hit the ground, and reality sets in that you have freaking clue what your doing, and that starts with the draw process. If you don't understand that you're gonna have a tough time.

[Slick8]

Originally Posted by CrownKiller14

NM elk tags are like lotto tickets... You buy expecting not to draw, but could be the hunt a of lift time if you do draw...

But you can't win (draw) if you don't play.

You can apply for regular NR tags and still use a guide. I've been DIY for mule deer and elk in NM/CO for 4 years in a row (0 for 4) on okay tags, and I would recommend anyone with a "good tag" to use a guide. Don't burn a primo tag trying to be "Mr. DIY". Even with the little experience I have if I got a primo tag I would go guided. What I've learned is the animals use 10% of the landscape and that country is huge, and trying to find that 10% in a week isn't easy. Everyone thinks they're a youtube hunter till their boots hit the ground, and reality sets in that you have freaking clue what your doing, and that starts with the draw process. If you don't understand that you're gonna have a tough time.

Spot on!

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[RGV Hunter]

So every year that you apply, you spend about $100, is that correct? If you do not get selected, the state keeps the fees and refunds you the license. That is how understand it.

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[bigchiefj]

Originally Posted by RGV Hunter

So every year that you apply, you spend about $100, is that correct? If you do not get selected, the state keeps the fees and refunds you the license. That is how understand it.

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You have to buy a nonrefundable Game Hunting License and another stamp to apply. I think that's about $70.

Then it's about $13 per species that they keep if unsuccessful in the draw. You send in the whole tag fee when applying

[RGV Hunter]

Originally Posted by bigchiefj

You have to buy a nonrefundable Game Hunting License and another stamp to apply. I think that's about $70.



Then it's about $13 per species that they keep if unsuccessful in the draw. You send in the whole tag fee when applying

I guess this discourages the hunters that just apply for everything (hunters like me, ).

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[texaswoods8]

You could also buy a landowner permit and purchase a tag as well. Guaranteed tag but could be expensive.

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by texaswoods8

You could also buy a landowner permit and purchase a tag as well. Guaranteed tag but could be expensive.

I should have two unit wide land owner tags this year. Maybe 3, depending how the draw goes.

You are right, primo units so also not cheap

[Brushybowman]

Seems complicated

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by Brushybowman

Seems complicated

Probably less complicated than most western states as there are no points. Non-residents just get a very low percentage of the tags, so opportunity is very limited.

Unless you buy a tag....which are not cheap

[Texans42]

Ive drawn deer 9/10 years both NR and Outfitted. do your research.

Elk can be the same way if you do your research but you have to be open on season/weapons.

Its not a complicated system just have to spend some time researching units.

[Phorizt]

6%?!?!?!

That's literally almost 100X better than my odds drawing a whitetail hunt on a decent TPWD draw hunt this year.

[RGV Hunter]

Originally Posted by Phorizt

6%?!?!?!

That's literally almost 100X better than my odds drawing a whitetail hunt on a decent TPWD draw hunt this year.

I agree. I have been putting in for the rifle hunts at the Atascosa for over twenty years and have never been drawn.

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[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by Phorizt

6%?!?!?!

That's literally almost 100X better than my odds drawing a whitetail hunt on a decent TPWD draw hunt this year.

No, your odds are not 6%.

6% of the tags go to Non-residents. Your odds can be really really low and way less than 6%. As most hunt codes are

Here is an example

50 tags for a 1st Rifle in a specific unit
6% is 3 tags to Non-Residents
250 applicants for the 3 tags = 1.2% draw odds in this example.

Places like 16A....odds are way under 1%

[Saltyag15]

Everyone who still has questions, please read all of Bulldawg’s posts. He is spot on.

[jnd1959]

I think NM is a reserved 6% nonresident, which may be better odds than AZ up to 10% since there you are competing against everybody. Course, you've got AZ preference points that also double as bonus points in the random portion of the draw. NM is an easy system compared to other states. Just look at Montana.

Still, as said above, do your homework and you can make your odds better. I've come to the conclusion that you will be more successful hunting lesser units more often than hunting better units less frequently.

[Aggiehunter08]

Not worth trying, build points in Colorado.

[jnd1959]

Looked up odds, there are three units with more than 40% public land and at least 9% success rate with better than 15% draw odds. This doesn't tell you where the public land is but it's usually higher elevation and more conducive to earlier hunts.

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by jnd1959

Looked up odds, there are three units with more than 40% public land and at least 9% success rate with better than 15% draw odds. This doesn't tell you where the public land is but it's usually higher elevation and more conducive to earlier hunts.

There are definitely a few better chance units and hunts out there.

That said, if you ever can draw a primo unit in NM...man, it's a special thing! It's worth trying for so put those high odds hunt codes as 2nd and/or 3rd choice.

[texaswoods8]

A buddy and I are putting in this year. It will be fun if we get it.

[CrossTimbers]

Gave my money to NM Game and Fish. If you don't draw you can always buy a bear tag OTC.

[68rustbucket]

Find an outfitter in the area you want to hunt that has access to landowner tags.

[CrossTimbers]

Originally Posted by 68rustbucket

Find an outfitter in the area you want to hunt that has access to landowner tags.

For an additional $7k in most cases...

[RGV Hunter]

Originally Posted by CrossTimbers

For an additional $7k in most cases...

Now, we are back to Texas prices for hunting.

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[bigchiefj]

$7000 might be a little bit low now days!

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by bigchiefj

$7000 might be a little bit low now days!

Yea in a good unit, that the starting cost of the tag. Add $5k to $7k to the guide service for anything around the Gila or Lincoln area

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

Anything in the Gila is running five figures just for the tag

[Bulldawg87]

Should only be a couple weeks out from seeing draw results, if it tracks like it has in the past

[Yak blue]

Probably next week.
Last year they drew mid morning on Wednesday April 20th. In 2021 it was mid morning on Wednesday April 21st.
By that pattern, my guess is next Wednesday, April 19th.
Sure hope so, would hate to have to wait til April 26th.

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by Yak blue

Probably next week.
Last year they drew mid morning on Wednesday April 20th. In 2021 it was mid morning on Wednesday April 21st.
By that pattern, my guess is next Wednesday, April 19th.
Sure hope so, would hate to have to wait til April 26th.

Last year, you could see the results if you drew a tag, in your ETAG, if you went that way on tag selection...a day or two before the emails went out.

[Bjayroe]

Agreed. I have a friend who has been putting in for a while and hasn't drawn. He got to where he didn't want to draw it then mess it up. He went with an outfitter and had a great time.

Originally Posted by RGV Hunter

I was reading up on the draw hunts for New Mexico. The odds are not good for a non-resident attempting to do a diy hunt (6%). You need to hire an outfitter to have better chances of drawing.

[CrossTimbers]

Confirmed from a NM State official that results will be next Wednesday.

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by CrossTimbers

Confirmed from a NM State official that results will be next Wednesday.

lets take bets they are wrong

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by Texans42

lets take bets they are wrong

**** i should of went to vegas!!!!

only because I got time right. I drew 0-6

welp guess just bears and lions in NM this year

[Briar Friar]

Originally Posted by CrossTimbers

Confirmed from a NM State official that results will be next Wednesday.

Good. My bro and I put in for guided unit 55. He texted me today that his account said pending and to check my account. I told him I wasnt going to watch the pot boil. Ill check next week or when the TBH buzz prompts.

[Bulldawg87]

Originally Posted by CrossTimbers

Confirmed from a NM State official that results will be next Wednesday.

You confirmed? Or read it on another site somewhere?

[Bulldawg87]

Results are out. All red for me...no draw luck

Looks like I'll be using a land owner tag in New Mexico.

Should have a 2 or 3 extras once land owner tags come out.

[solocam_aggie]

Site wont even load for me to check.

[Slick8]

Blanked on Elk, Oryx and Sheep but drew deer. Not a trophy or even numbers unit but a fun hunt none the less.



Soooooo..... I drew this deer tag in NM in a unit I've never researched.....Not looking for honey holes... but....

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by Slick8

Blanked on Elk, Oryx and Sheep but drew deer. Not a trophy or even numbers unit but a fun hunt none the less.



Soooooo..... I drew this deer tag in NM in a unit I've never researched.....Not looking for honey holes... but....

I have family trip to hawaii in Jan so I switched it up and went for the premo Nov rifle tag up north. 0-6 lol

[texaswoods8]

Originally Posted by Slick8

Blanked on Elk, Oryx and Sheep but drew deer. Not a trophy or even numbers unit but a fun hunt none the less.



Soooooo..... I drew this deer tag in NM in a unit I've never researched.....Not looking for honey holes... but....

Congrats on the deer tag! What unit did you draw?

[solocam_aggie]

Finally got it to load. Big ol block of red as expected


Lol Slick8, every time!