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[M.Bird]

Here is a report of all the NM unit 15 hunters.
Just got back from setting up my trail cams and some coyote hunting will start with the coyotes. Lots of dogs out there and very vocal, but there are 2 less than before. Both came in very quick to rabbit calls, first one came in on the second call of the series, dam near ran me over. Came from the back right on a run and stopped thirty feet from me and that is where he lies. 2nd dog was a bit more of a challenge, spotted him about 600yds out and he worked his was into about 220yds and sat down, then he stayed there to long and now he is lying down there.
ELK:
As walking it to the area that I hunt, 3 different bulls where bugling, talking back and forth, I made it across the valley before daylight (it was overcast with slight rain)working the tree line on the south east side of the valley traveled about 2 mile from the parking area. Searching the fingers and draws of the valley. Found 2 herds of elk in there.
1st group was all cows and calves with a couple of spikes. No bulls with that group, they where feeding up the draw heading towards a bedding area, was with in 50 yds of them an all looked in great shape, nice and fat with good shinny coats.
2nd group caught me by surprise, working down from the tree line along a ridge nice draws on both side, cleared the trees and spotted 2 cows feeding along the south side of the ridge. Kneeled down to look at them and heard a cow bark to my left. There was the rest of the herd. This group had bulls sniffing the cows. 1st bull small 5x5 not much mass but 5 on each side 3yr old maybe 4, 2nd bull was bigger 5x5 decent mass spread 40-45 inside, long thirds about 18-20 inches(1 ½ time s his ear length) but his 4th where not that long. I’m going to pick up the trail cams next Sunday.
M.Bird

[NMBUGLER]

Im going down to scout tommorrow and picked up a bear tag, got any pointers on bear in the area, and how muddy is it?

[M.Bird]

I did not run into any mud to speak of, every thing is moist. I did see some bear sign inthe area, but nothing fresh
Good Luck

[elkhunter73]

Hey M.Bird...Unit 15 is a pretty big unit. What part of the unit were you hunting?

[M.Bird]

Yes it is big, bigger than when I hunted it years ago, if know the area, I’m someplace between Slaughter Mesa and Saw Mill Canyon. The area that I work is about 2 miles from the road, I walk into to the area, mostly before daylight. If you need more PM me.
M. Bird

[backpacker]

Thanks for the insight.

[NMBUGLER]

I called in a coyote and a couple grey fox, not gonna shoot a $30 arrow at a coyote. No sign of YOGI . First twenty minutes I was there I walked into a group of elk with a raghorn and about 12 cows. Heard a bull screaming his head off at 1PM but no real rutting activity, cows were without bulls chatting it up. a few idiots on ATVs that you can hear for miles thought they would slither around and road hunt the two tracks, shutting down only to bugle and meander further into the forest. Its gonna be tough on the early hunters with so much water, and little talkin from the bulls.

[elkhunter73]

I was scoutting for a friend this weekend and I only heard one quick bugle the whole weekend. I agree there is so much water in there its going to be a tough hunt especially for sitting at a watering hole.

[M.Bird]

I know what you mean about the road noise, even being 2 miles walk, there is an elevated road just over a mile (line of sight) and I hear all the trucks and ATV’s traveling along the road. I will be back to set a trail cam in 2 weeks, this time better trimming of branches, hope it cools off.
Best of Luck

M. Bird

[blackpowder]

Just had open heart surgery so rough country is out, can you give me an idea where would be the best area during the mid Oct. hunt.

[NMBUGLER]

I just got back from an awesome hunt! The bulls were really screaming but not really rutting. The smaller bulls were with cows but prolly not really breeding yet. I think the peak of the rut will be a while. I shot a great bull that had no cows and did not respond to cow calls. I did call in two younger bulls and passed em up on the first day. Its frustrating when theres so many elk bugling but cant get them to respond, they just walk on their way concerned about other things. I think early october there will be more cows in heat and the older bulls will act more interested, and mid october will still catch the rut. With a smokepole in your hands you will be fine, you dont have to get far from the road in that unit, mine died 50 yards from a two-track.

[M.Bird]

Congratulations:
Sounds like you had a good hunt, now we have to have the details.
How Big?
Pictures?
Was it in the area that you had been scouting? Did you see him during your scouting trips?
How many bulls total did you see?
Congratulations again

[elkhunter73]

A friend of mine had a tag for the 2nd archery hunt and we were never able to call them in. They were still somewhat quiet and not bugling too much. We didn't get a chance to harvest an animal but it was still a fun hunt. I have a muzzleloader tag for mid-Oct and I'm hoping they are well into the rut by then.

[NMBUGLER]

It was a double lung shot, at 42 yards he only went 20 yards and died in front of me! 338 4/8 SCI. found him the day before the hunt and had him at 67 yards opening morning, but he was walking and I passed the shot. Got near him the next morning but just bugled and walked the other way. I patterned him and found the water he was using in the afternoon. Shot him at 5:30pm he bugled about 1/4 mile away a few times out of his bed and then came in to water quiet. I never made a call that afternoon because I knew he was shying away.
I called in a thin 6x6 opening morning and then another small bull later on the first day. It was frustrating knowing that the big bulls werent breeding but they were vocal enough to track down.
It was fun hunt! for a day and a half.
My scouting trips were in different areas just trying to learn the land and find cows. This area I found by accident the day before the hunt because I was looking for another way in to my spot due to the changing winds.

[elkhunter73]

Wow congrats on a great bull! Glad it worked out for you!