NM Unit 5B scouting trip

[GreekDrake]

was up there this past weeekend. Real happy with the sign I came across. I even got a bull to bugle back at me. I stood on this point overlooking a deep canyon with much cover. Cow called once. Wait...nothing. Then I cow called again and 10 seconds later I hear this buggle way down in the canyon. so I give it another go and sure thing he is making his way to me. Finally I got a good look at hime it was a nice 5x5 and he looked like he was starting to rub his antlres already. This caught me by suprise since I honestly did not expect that bull to bugle. In addition, a friend of mine told me that in a different unit the same weekend he cow called and though no bull bugled back he had one silently move in on him. Anyhow seen probably 20 Bucks in Unit 5B in one morning bunched up in bachelor groups nothing big best one I,ve seen I estimate in the 28 inch range. anyhow I thought I share with you guys. I do have pics and hopefully I can get them on here soon.

 

[VINIHUNT]

drake,

hope to see the pic! glad u found some area for elk...u have what tag/season?

good luck

vinihunt

 

[wmidbrook]

Wow, that's cool~! I sure would not like having to pack a bull elk out of that canyon but I suppose it is doable if you're in super shape. I bet 5b is super green this year....20 bachelor bucks! dang! It must be on the rebound big time.

Maybe this is signaling an earlier rut than usual...I'd happen to love that since I have an early archery season tag.

 

[GreekDrake]

Hi all let me add some more notes here: Yes 5B is green. Much greener than last year I have been told. The wilderness side though, its kind of a funny area. Though it seems from the roads that they have gotten good water up there, the area has this dry look to it. I dont know if it is the soil or what. Rest of the unit though is awesome. The guy that I went scouting with got a 370 class bull up there last year archery and this guy knows elk! we hit this one other ridge that looked like the 405 in LA on traffic hour! man the elk were using that ridge like theres no tomorrow.! Got me going! I estimate at least a few different bulls using that ridge. Then cut some tracks close to a wallow. I hate to make any speculations about the size of that bull but that track was biggest one I have seen in the wild. no BS. If nothing else that bull must be in the 800 lbs range animal. The guy that I was with a few years back drew Valle vidal and took a nice 6x7 there. That animal was very close to 800 lbs live weight and I've told that his tracks were not that big I saw the look on his face; he has the first bow hunt up there and I am possitive he is going to go after him. It look though as if this bull had covered a lot of ground.

Well of to Unit 2 this weekend. Help a friend scout for his October bull hunt. Boys and girls this WILL be a good season!

good luck to all

 

[GreekDrake]

wmidbrook, the deer numbers caught me by suprise as well. Remember they only give 15 tags or so up there though so yes the deer are coming up.

 

[wmidbrook]

It highly, highly unusual for any bulls to be over 310-320 in that unit....your friend had some luck on his side no doubt too. I had heard of a bigger bull coming out of there last year so it was probably your buddy. Sounds like you're into a good spot--there are units that have a lot more good spots though seems to be the general consensus....of the 3 elk units I've hunted in NM, 5b has the least number of elk by a long shot.