These private land elk hunts are conducted on selected ranches in southern New Mexico. We have secured exclusive hunting rights on several of the best private land elk hunting ranches in unit 37 and combined them as one large ranch under the New Mexico Game and Fish. By combining these ranches it gives us the flexibility to move from one ranch to the next and hunt the ranch that is producing the best that week. These ranches are in unit 37 which is known for it’s world class bulls. The surrounding area is not known for high populations of elk but is noted for producing top end bulls with great mass. This combined ranch is over 21,000 acres that lies in the foothills of the Capitan mountains, the Jicarilla mountains and the Vera Cruz mountains, all in south central New Mexico. The ranches rang from 6000 feet to almost 8000 feet in elevation. The terrain is mostly rolling hills with canyons covered by juniper and pinon pine mixed with some grassy flats. The terrain is mostly moderate with some steep more extreme areas. Over all these combined ranches have plenty of roads to access most of the hunting country so we can accommodate hunters from all levels of fitness.
What to Expect Our goal is to kill 300″ class bulls or better and believe this a very realistic goal do to the superior genetics in the region. Typically you will be seeing 5×5’s up to 340 class bulls but you have the potential for the opportunity at a 350″ class bull or better. However, there are many factors that will affect the outcome of your hunt. Weather is always something that can change animal behavior and patterns but you and I both know we can not do anything about that. The one thing you as a hunter can control is physical conditioning and it is always important to be in the best shape possible. The better shape you are in the easier it will be for your guide to get you in position to get that perfect shot.
Weapon Choice and Tactics We offer archery hunts as well as rifle hunts on the ranches. Hunting takes place out of a main guest house and cabins. Clients will fly into Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The archery hunts: September 1st-6th, September 9th-14th September 19th-24th The primary tactics for the archery hunts will be calling as long as the bulls are receptive to calling. Early September is the pre rut and the bulls will be starting to bugle and can be easier to call in because they are gathering their herds. Later in the season the bulls are bugling better which helps in locating them, but they often have cows, making it more difficult to call them in. If the bugling and rutting action is slow we will use water holes or even spot and stalk tactics to close the distance.
The rifle hunts: These hunts can take place any five consecutive days from October 1st through December 31st and can be set at the time of booking. Early October is still in the rut and can have rutting action through most of the month of October. This means you are using archery tactics while hunting with a rifle in your hands! Needless to say this can be very exciting and usually high success. After the rut is over we will primarily be using spot and stalk methods, often glassing from higher vantage points and moving in for the shot. Some of this ranch is relatively flat and open while other parts are more mountainous and rugged with thick cover making shots anywhere from 20 yards to 500 yards.
COST: $8000 for 1×1, includes landowner tag $7500 for 2×1, includes landowner tag $634 for state licenses and stamps 5 day rifle / 6 day archery
**We also offer quality draw elk hunts in game units 13, 34, 36, and 37 using rifle, muzzle loader, or bow. Please inquire on those hunts if you are interested in a wilderness hunt!
We are proud to offer each client an individualized hunting experience, and the opportunity to hunt in areas that produce the mature, quality animal one expects from a guided hunt with an experienced, skilled, guide. Our goal is for the hunter to experience the feelings of friendship and acceptance that comes with being part of a close-knit hunting family. This individual attention makes for a memorable experience that will make you want to come back year after year.
We believe in honesty and communication – along with integrity, experience, and a commitment to excellence – are key to all successful hunts. Our company recognizes and respects the hunter’s desire to know how the hunting has been, if quality animals are being consistently spotted, and what their chances are of having a successful experience. Above all, we approach guided hunts with a “quality before quantity” attitude.A quality hunt includes personalized services, mature animals hunted in quality areas, and a guide that is a skilled, licensed, and experienced. By hunting in areas with high numbers of mature animals, each hunter will have a better opportunity of taking home the trophy of a lifetime that many hunters so often come to New Mexico to hunt for.
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