New Mexico Elk Hunting
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New Mexico Elk Hunting
New Mexico is fast becoming one the best states for Trophy Elk Hunting with the changes implemented over the past few years, fewer tags where being issued and results made it  harder for hunters to continue to draw out every year, a lot of hunters have gotten discouraged and have given up even applying. However for those of us who continue to apply, our persistence is now paying off with not only larger elk herds, but more Pope and Young class bulls available in almost all all hunting units of New Mexico.I hunt mainly in the North West and North Central parts of New Mexico mainly due to fuel costs, which makes it a large investment just setting up your camp in a remote New Mexico hunting area. I live in Farmington New Mexico and try to stay closer to home. Hunting in New Mexico you will find mainly Roosevelt Elk and Rocky Mountain Elk (Wapiti), an average bull elk usually weighs in at 700 lbs. and the cow elk will be slightly smaller at 500 lbs still a heavy a load to pack out. Archery starts off the New Mexico hunts and runs September 1st - 22nd which is before the elk rutting starts, but is an adrenaline rush for me because elk are accustom to the presence of the oilfield workers, and the elk just stand around watching and don’t feel threatened. My son who works for a local trucking company is constantly taking pictures to prove this to me. As hunting pressures start to build, the elk move deeper into the high country and further from the access and presence of man. This is when the rut takes place and New Mexico plans a little break in hunting pressures to allow some privacy. Next hunting season October 4th – 8th or 11th – 15th and is a combined New Mexico Elk muzzle loader and bow hunting season. The elk are almost done rutting and are now in the high country or behind locked gates, a strategy the New Mexico Game Department uses to keep from disturbing  the designated calving areas. No motorized vehicles are allowed, this is as close to rutting elk hunting as you can get in New Mexico and the Elk will be bugling and chasing hot cows all over the rugged country, Hunting is best using a horse or mule. Hunting in these conditions is best accomplished with an outfitter on horse back.The last season is New Mexico Elk hunting is a center fire rifle season which starts usually around the middle of November, you will need to check the proclamation as there are neumerous hunts at different dates depending on where you are hunting. All that is needed in this hunt is good optics, a range finder, a rifle with a good scope, and hunter who knows his equipment. You will then be able to drop an Elk in its tracks out to 800 yards. This is New Mexico hunting at it finest, camouflage and conditioning are not needed, the Elk haven’t got a clue there is even a hunter in the area. The cooler temperatures allow hunters to take their time packing out their trophy. Try elk hunting in New Mexico and I promise you will look forward to returning every year. 
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