This is a hunt that I've dreamed of for 30 years and never pulled the proverbial trigger. Three years and 30 pounds ago I couldn't have attempted this hunt. I've worked my rear off to get into the best condition I could. I still sucked wind going uphill and had some slight knee pain down hill and loaded with 75 pounds.
I applied for 3 southern NM units and drew 2nd rifle.
We scouted for 2.5 days sighting roughly 50 elk. Mostly cows and rag horns but we had 4 good bulls which we thought we could get within range and more importantly get off the mountain. All I read was steep, rough and nasty. Those were all understatements with the hunting area running from 8-9500 feet. Many bulls were safe from me as getting to them and packing out would be a tough haul.
This was to be a DIY with my BIL. He wasn't able to complete the application due to an old account. I still wanted to go DIY but my wife insisted I go guided as it's such a rare draw and for safety (her piece of mind). I conceded and glad I did, I had a much better time and learned more in one trip than I could have 3 solo trips.
Big 5x5 down at 550 yards. Gonna be a late night.
We did 11 miles on the day I killed gaining 1200 feet total and topping at 9400 feet. We did 24 miles in 4 days gaining 1000 feet most days. We packed out the front shoulders and gear the night I killed. My packed weighed 75 pounds with shoulder, rifle and gear. We came in the next day with a mule to finish the job.
This has been a 30 year dream come true. I walked off the mountain just a little emotional. I don't know if I'd do this difficult of a hunt again but glad I have. My young fit local guide is licking his wounds to give you an idea of what we did.
These pics don't do justice to the beauty or rugged steepness of this area.
.
I applied for 3 southern NM units and drew 2nd rifle.
We scouted for 2.5 days sighting roughly 50 elk. Mostly cows and rag horns but we had 4 good bulls which we thought we could get within range and more importantly get off the mountain. All I read was steep, rough and nasty. Those were all understatements with the hunting area running from 8-9500 feet. Many bulls were safe from me as getting to them and packing out would be a tough haul.
This was to be a DIY with my BIL. He wasn't able to complete the application due to an old account. I still wanted to go DIY but my wife insisted I go guided as it's such a rare draw and for safety (her piece of mind). I conceded and glad I did, I had a much better time and learned more in one trip than I could have 3 solo trips.
Big 5x5 down at 550 yards. Gonna be a late night.
We did 11 miles on the day I killed gaining 1200 feet total and topping at 9400 feet. We did 24 miles in 4 days gaining 1000 feet most days. We packed out the front shoulders and gear the night I killed. My packed weighed 75 pounds with shoulder, rifle and gear. We came in the next day with a mule to finish the job.
This has been a 30 year dream come true. I walked off the mountain just a little emotional. I don't know if I'd do this difficult of a hunt again but glad I have. My young fit local guide is licking his wounds to give you an idea of what we did.
These pics don't do justice to the beauty or rugged steepness of this area.
.
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