Hello everyone!

Our hunt season here in New Mexico is about to start rolling. The anticipation of a new year and new opportunities in the field always begins here early in the year with our annual draw process. About the first of June, the “lucky list” is picked, and we all know what animals we will get to pursue for the year. This year, with God’s help, I was fortunate to draw a rut archery elk hunt in the famed Gila Country of southwestern New Mexico, my backyard. The hunt begins September 19th and runs through the 24th. Through this blog, I will attempt to take all of you along with me, through the initial scouting, set-up and the hunt. The Gila is famous for producing bone, bone, and more bone. Think I am joking? Take a look at these mid-July bulls from my hunt area!

The Big Boys Club

Here is a larger shot of the bull on the left. NO doubt this fellar is going to be over 400″ on opening day!

400 Inches!

As you can see, there is plenty to be excited about for opening day!

After the draw, the process started immediately for me with making some calls and working to secure an area for the hunt. The elk tag is a public lands tag, which means you can hunt on any public lands you choose. However, if you can secure access to private land within the forest, then your odds just went way up. After a few calls, I was able to do exactly that, securing access to a couple of different areas of private land south of Mule Creek, New Mexico. The ranch I gained access to produced 2 different 400″+ bulls last year! With some private land access secured, it was time to get the ball rolling and get the trail cameras to work!

Obviously, prior to the first trip to the ranch, I reviewed all of the maps I could find for the area for water and bedding areas. The reason private land access is so important here in New Mexico is because most of the water is on private land. The first area of the ranch we looked at has three tanks, and is the main water source for about 3 square miles. I always start my scouting by focusing on finding water. The rut here will be hot and dry, and those bulls will be close to water! Aerial photography plays a big role in my hunt planning!

You have to know the area!

Having the “lay” of the land before my first scouting trip allowed me to see this huge feeding area above the ranch before I even started looking around. Using GPS coordinates for waters allows hunters to realize actual distances from one spot to the next and figure travel times. The three dots on the lower left are the locations of the trail cams I placed the first day I visited the location.

Aerial photos can also be used to visualize terrain and to plan placement of stands and blinds taking into account travel ways and feeding areas….

Tanks and locations of trail cameras

Of course, the “ground work”, once made easier by using all of the technology you can access, then becomes the most important part of the hunt! And you never know what else you will find in an area either!

That is a size 13E show right beside that track!

That is the biggest bear track I have ever seen in my life! About 17 inches long and HEAVY! Guess I will be carrying a bear tag in September too!

And then there was this guy. For those of you who have never had the opportunity to chase the illusive “Grey Ghost”, let me introduce you to a MONSTER! I hold the SCI New Mexico state record for archery coues whitetail, and this guy is bigger, by about 15 inches I would guess! And you gotta love that kicker on his right side!

The Grey Ghost

Our target however, is the big ole bugling bull. Talk about gorgeous elk country, we saw plenty of that too!

Elk Country!

Can you hear them screaming?

And while we did not see any elk on this visit, there was plenty of evidence they are in this country!

That time of year!

All in all, by the end of the first day in the country, you can tell I am stoked about opening day!

We will be checking the trail cams for the first time this week. I will update this as soon as we have some images from them to show you! Until then, good luck to everyone and God Bless you and your families!