The jewel of elk hunting on the Carson National Forest is the Valle Vidal Unit on the Questa Ranger District. This unit contains one of the largest herds in New Mexico and offers a once in a lifetime opportunity of harvesting a world-class trophy bull.
Where are the most elk in New Mexico?
Some portions of the state where elk are relatively abundant include: The San Juan Mountains near Chama, in Game Management Unit 4; the Jemez and Sierra Nacimiento of Unit 6; Mount Taylor in Unit 9; Gila National Forest in Unit 16; Carson National Forest in Units 52 and 53.
What unit has the most elk in New Mexico?
Unit 17 Is known to hold some of the biggest bull elk in New Mexico.
Where is the highest elk population?
Colorado
Today, Colorado has the largest herd in the United States, about 300,000 animals. Elk in Montana, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming number between 100,000 and 150,000. New Mexico, Utah and Washington have 50,000 to 80,000 elk, and Arizona, Nevada, California and Kentucky have 10,000 to 25,000 elk.
Where can I see elk in New Mexico?
Elk Viewing:
In the summer months, they can be seen in the cottonwood groves along Glorieta Creek and near the Forked Lightning Ranch. In the autumn, they can be seen in the Trade Field to the east of the Pueblo. Watch for elk along the edges of clearings early in the morning.
What are the odds of drawing a New Mexico elk tag?
’19 Nonresident Draw Odds – Opens on or before Oct. 7
| ★ | Unit | 2019 Harvest Success |
|---|---|---|
| ★ | Unit 51 | 33.0% |
| ★ | Unit 21B | 77.8% |
| ★ | Unit 49 | 10.3% |
| ★ | Unit 42 |
Does New Mexico have moose?
Moose are not very common in New Mexico but in areas like the Four Corners they do tend to wander from Colorado, but it doesn’t mean that they are not protected if they are shot and or killed.
Where is the best elk hunting in NM?
Top Areas in New Mexico for Elk Hunting
- Gila National Forest. Located in the top trophy elk-producing county (Catron) from 2000 to 2009, the areas within the Gila National Forest consistently produce the best bulls in New Mexico.
- Valles Caldera National Preserve.
- Cibola National Forest.
- Valle Vidal.
Where is the best elk hunting?
Colorado is often at the top of the list for beginner elk hunters. The state has more elk than any other, with more than 280,000 animals. Colorado sells either sex and cow-only archery tags over the counter. For rifle hunters, bull tags can be purchased over the counter for the state’s second and third rifle seasons.
What state has the highest success rate for elk hunting?
Wyoming claims an amazing overall 44.4% average hunter success rate (includes OTC tags), followed now by Utah at 26.4% (Utah is always late, so waiting on 2017 harvest data). Idaho dropped to third place followed by Montana.
What state is the easiest to get an elk tag?
Wyoming is the most predictable of the “five year plan” states. Once you accumulate preference points, it is fairly certain that you will be going on a really good elk hunt. In my opinion, Wyoming has the best combination of quality elk, public lands, accessibility to tags and harvest success of any western state.
What state has the most elk per square mile?
Again, unsurprisingly, the most record Tule elk have come from California, with 95.
Where is the cheapest place to hunt elk?
Colorado since it is the closest place to hunt elk for most people in the Eastern and Central U.S and the cost to hunt in Colorado is very close to the average cost for the seven best elk hunting states. In Colorado, the elk license and habitat stamp now costs $672 for bull elk or any elk tags.
Are there wild bison in New Mexico?
Many of them find their home on Vermejo Park Ranch, and when they’re out, can be seen from Hwy 64 between Cimarron and Raton. Bison are iconic symbols of the great American West. While these hulking animals once covered huge swaths of prairie land, their numbers declined to fewer than 600 by the early 20th century.
How much is a New Mexico elk tag?
Table of Draw Fees
| License Type | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Elk License (Residents 18–64 years of age and all nonresidents) | ||
| A (Antlerless) | $60 | Not Issued |
| MB (Mature Bull) | $90 | $548 |
| ES (Either Sex) | $90 | $548 |
Are there elk in Angel Fire New Mexico?
Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley are abundant with birds and wildlife. Mule deer, white-tail deer, elk, and bear can be observed in the valley area and on the mountain trails. You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a mountain lion or bobcat.
Does New Mexico have over the counter elk tags?
Other states allow for landowners to be awarded some of the elk tags which they can resell on the open market. New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada have landowner programs where you could purchase a tag after the drawings are finished.
Can you use a crossbow in New Mexico for elk?
Crossbow Regulations in New Mexico
It is lawful in New Mexico to use crossbows to harvest bear; cougar; elk; deer; javelin; pronghorn; Barbary sheep; oryx; Persian ibex; bighorn sheep; and turkey. Crossbows are legal for use in muzzleloader or any legal sporting arm seasons unless they have been otherwise restricted.
How many elk tags are issued in New Mexico?
Even though roughly 22,000 tags a year go into the draw, there simply aren’t enough to meet demand. At the same time, however, private landowners receive more than 13,000 tags through the program known as EPLUS – the Elk Private Land Use System.
Are there bears in New Mexico?
New Mexico’s state animal, the black bear, lives at higher elevations in mountainous regions, preferring forest woodlands with grass meadows. Often within a few miles of areas occupied by humans, an estimated 6,000 black bears can be found spread over more than 13 percent of the open lands in New Mexico.
What animals live in Red River New Mexico?
What kind of wildlife resides in Red River? Keep your eyes open for black bar, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, mule deer, beaver, chipmunks and many other mountain critters.