prhunter
Well-known member
So this year I was fortunate enough to draw an elk tag in south central NM.
I spent the entire summer driving up to my unit, getting to know the roads and coming up with a plan. I also did extensive e-scouting in an effort to be well prepared for this hunt.
Arrived in the unit two days before the opener. After setting up camp, headed out to a high point to glass. About an hour before sunset, I spotted a nice bull coming out of the trees. Later that afternoon, I also spotted a small herd that contained several cows and two nice bulls, I was happy to say the least.
Second scouting day we took a hike to a different spot to check it out. My buddy spotted a small herd in that area including a nice bull. That afternoon we headed back to that same high spot from the previous day and the hers with the two hood balls was there again. That night at camp we decided to be there in the morning in order to make a move on the herd.
Opening day had us sitting again at the high point way before sunrise. As it started to get light, we started glassing. Not after long I spotted a nice bull feeding in a clearing all by him self. Took out the range finder and measured, 513 yds. Too far for me so we watched until he bedded in the brush. Attempted to stalk him but it was really thick in there so I never found him.
Day three a really nice mule deer buck was spotted. (will try to include pic).
The rest of the week was spent the same way. Up before dawn, glassing all day and back to camp at night. On day 4 we spotted a small bull in a clearing. I quickly marked the spot and headed up there to see if I could cut the distance. On the way up I saw several deer and pushed a spike out of a draw but I didn't see the bull I was after.
That afternoon we glassed well into the evening with no results. Although no shots were fired I still consider this to have been a successful hunt. We put in the effort and did everything by the book. I was never presented with a shot but alot of different animals were spotted and I feel alot was learned during this time.
Now I'll be headed to AZ for some Coues deer action next week. Good luck to all who are out there. A special thanks to my buddy Raymond who took an entire week off from work to assist me on this hunt.
Glassing 
Scouting 
opening day bull 
Mule deer buck 
Sunset last day
I spent the entire summer driving up to my unit, getting to know the roads and coming up with a plan. I also did extensive e-scouting in an effort to be well prepared for this hunt.
Arrived in the unit two days before the opener. After setting up camp, headed out to a high point to glass. About an hour before sunset, I spotted a nice bull coming out of the trees. Later that afternoon, I also spotted a small herd that contained several cows and two nice bulls, I was happy to say the least.
Second scouting day we took a hike to a different spot to check it out. My buddy spotted a small herd in that area including a nice bull. That afternoon we headed back to that same high spot from the previous day and the hers with the two hood balls was there again. That night at camp we decided to be there in the morning in order to make a move on the herd.
Opening day had us sitting again at the high point way before sunrise. As it started to get light, we started glassing. Not after long I spotted a nice bull feeding in a clearing all by him self. Took out the range finder and measured, 513 yds. Too far for me so we watched until he bedded in the brush. Attempted to stalk him but it was really thick in there so I never found him.
Day three a really nice mule deer buck was spotted. (will try to include pic).
The rest of the week was spent the same way. Up before dawn, glassing all day and back to camp at night. On day 4 we spotted a small bull in a clearing. I quickly marked the spot and headed up there to see if I could cut the distance. On the way up I saw several deer and pushed a spike out of a draw but I didn't see the bull I was after.
That afternoon we glassed well into the evening with no results. Although no shots were fired I still consider this to have been a successful hunt. We put in the effort and did everything by the book. I was never presented with a shot but alot of different animals were spotted and I feel alot was learned during this time.
Now I'll be headed to AZ for some Coues deer action next week. Good luck to all who are out there. A special thanks to my buddy Raymond who took an entire week off from work to assist me on this hunt.
Glassing Scouting opening day bull Mule deer buck Sunset last day
