New Mexico Elk bucket list

[Turkeychaser]

I was fortunate to draw a second week rifle tag in New Mexico. I have to give credit to @dwheel87 on the GON forum. After reading his hunt details with RB outfitters in Chama, NM last year it really got me thinking about it. So I reached out to the owner Ron and he walked me through draw process and everything. They setup a tent camp with his wife Blanche does the cooking. I was paired up with a great guide Issac. The morning hunts made me think of turkey hunting. We were covering ground and trying to get one to bugle back at us. The evening hunts we set on watering holes more like deer hunting. It truly was an awesome experience. They hunt different terrain and use side by sides if needed so they can accommodate all mobility levels. I was blessed to get my Elk the second evening. So I left camp Monday morning and got to hang out in Pagosa Springs, Colorado two days while waiting on my meat to be rush processed and euro mount done. I used Coles meat processing in Pagosa springs and was very happy with the results. I wish I was better at storytelling but the bottom line is I am so glad I made the decision to do this hunt while I could get around good and enjoy it. I thank the Lord for safe travels out there and back by myself and a safe hunt. The Elk was just a bonus. Truly a lifetime memory I will never forget!

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Great write-up, great bull. Thanks for sharing. It looks like you already had a spot picked out to hang the euro.

 

[Heath423]

Congratulations! Sounds like a fantastic trip

 

[Hduke86]

Congrats again brother, looks like a amazing trip and experience

 

[Coltens]

Congrats!

 

[AT Hiker]

Congrats on a fine bull!
I can see you know how to cook a steak too

 

[gtk]

Congrats. That's pretty much my plan this coming weekend. Move to the elk in the am, and hunt water mid-day/evening.

 

[PossumSlayer]

Congratulations! Looks like a beautiful area!

 

[Gravey]

Congrats!

 

[BPhunter]

I was fortunate to draw a second week rifle tag in New Mexico. I have to give credit to @dwheel87 on the GON forum. After reading his hunt details with RB outfitters in Chama, NM last year it really got me thinking about it. So I reached out to the owner Ron and he walked me through draw process and everything. They setup a tent camp with his wife Blanche does the cooking. I was paired up with a great guide Issac. The morning hunts made me think of turkey hunting. We were covering ground and trying to get one to bugle back at us. The evening hunts we set on watering holes more like deer hunting. It truly was an awesome experience. They hunt different terrain and use side by sides if needed so they can accommodate all mobility levels. I was blessed to get my Elk the second evening. So I left camp Monday morning and got to hang out in Pagosa Springs, Colorado two days while waiting on my meat to be rush processed and euro mount done. I used Coles meat processing in Pagosa springs and was very happy with the results. I wish I was better at storytelling but the bottom line is I am so glad I made the decision to do this hunt while I could get around good and enjoy it. I thank the Lord for safe travels out there and back by myself and a safe hunt. The Elk was just a bonus. Truly a lifetime memory I will never forget!

Congratulations on that hunt. Hope you had fun.
My grandson lives in northern NM and got his a couple of weeks ago. He usually gets one on a yearly basis.
Nothing better than elk meat, except buffalo

 

[megalomaniac]

Congrats!!!

 

[Turkeychaser]

Congrats on a fine bull!
I can see you know how to cook a steak too

Thank you! I have to give my wife credit for that masterpiece!

 

[EastTNHunter]

Congrats on the elk. Beautiful creature in beautiful creation

 

[tn24]

Congratulations. Got more pictures you can post?

 

[Wrangler95]

Great going,glad you got a great elk,congrats!

 

[dgolden]

Awesome! Congrats!!

 

[DoubleRidge]

Nice! Congratulations!

 

[tellico4x4]

Congratulations on a fine bull & awesome experience! Glad you got to make the trip, imo there's no place like the West in fall. Warning though, it is addictive

 

[spinal tap]

Great bull - congratulations! What elevations were you at while lodging and hunting? 8k-10k? How did it affect you? I've been looking at elk hunts, but wondering how I'd handle a mountain hunt. I'm in decent shape for 51 (6'1", 200 lbs), but wondering how I'd feel at 10k feet chasing bulls and then trying to get calm and steady for a shot.

 

[Turkeychaser]

Great bull - congratulations! What elevations were you at while lodging and hunting? 8k-10k? How did it affect you? I've been looking at elk hunts, but wondering how I'd handle a mountain hunt. I'm in decent shape for 51 (6'1", 200 lbs), but wondering how I'd feel at 10k feet chasing bulls and then trying to get calm and steady for a shot.

Thank you! Camp was at 8400 feet. We did reach 10k a couple times hunting I think. I started taking attitude attitude a supplement wilderness athlete sells 5 days before the hunt. I had been walking a few miles before the hunt too each week. I did see a couple of people struggle with altitude. They bought the oxygen in the bottle. One evening after sitting at a watering hole I did get a little winded walking out. Not sure if temperature drop caused it or what. The area I was in wasn't steep terrain just rolling ridges for the most part. I hope that helps. I was very happy with my outfitter too.

 

[BPhunter]

Great bull - congratulations! What elevations were you at while lodging and hunting? 8k-10k? How did it affect you? I've been looking at elk hunts, but wondering how I'd handle a mountain hunt. I'm in decent shape for 51 (6'1", 200 lbs), but wondering how I'd feel at 10k feet chasing bulls and then trying to get calm and steady for a shot.

Some get altitude sickness, some don't. When you are coming from close to sea level many have to just take it easy and acclimate. My house sits at 7350' above sea level and many time we hunt at 12K+ and all is well. Now at the top of Pikes Peak 14K+ you I can feel it a little, but we are already acclimated to altitude. They actually have different flavored oxygen bars on top of pikes peak. BTW: I'm 76....hoping to get to 77 :)

 

[spinal tap]

Thank you! Camp was at 8400 feet. We did reach 10k a couple times hunting I think. I started taking attitude attitude a supplement wilderness athlete sells 5 days before the hunt. I had been walking a few miles before the hunt too each week. I did see a couple of people struggle with altitude. They bought the oxygen in the bottle. One evening after sitting at a watering hole I did get a little winded walking out. Not sure if temperature drop caused it or what. The area I was in wasn't steep terrain just rolling ridges for the most part. I hope that helps. I was very happy with my outfitter too.

That's good to know - thank you! Esp about the terrain, I was thinking it might be much steeper.