Unit 5B New Mexico Rifle lucky winner

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 22, 2020

Hi everyone,

First, I wanted to introduce myself. I grew up in Wisconsin, but live in Minnesota and have hunted whitetails for 30 years. In the last 8 years I've really jumped into the western hunting with elk, mule deer and antelope, with my true love being the backpack mule deer hunts that I've done in Wyoming and Idaho.

I've been a member or Hunttalk for about 8 years and more recently Rokslide, but I never set up my MM account until today, even though I've been reading the forum for a long time.

With that said, I am one of the two people who drew the non-resident rifle deer tag in Unit 5B. I am completely blown away as I knew this was a shot in the dark, but given the system I figured I'd shoot for the moon on the first choice.

I've done a lot of research prior to the draw, but that is going to ramp up quickly here in the next weeks and months. I have a couple general areas where I'll be focusing my efforts initially, but I'm open to feedback if anyone has it.

I'm looking forward to a great hunt in November and the opportunity to see some really cool country.

I've attached a couple pictures of some of my past luck. I'm hoping to this year is just as fruitful as I will also be gong back to Wyoming in September to the high country.

Take care,
Chuck

BUGLEnmIN · Apr 23, 2020

Hey partner I see you haven't had much luck with responses.
I'll send you a p.m.

JRABQ · Apr 23, 2020

I think a nonresident 5B hunter posted on MM last year, search the archives if you haven't already an see if you can track him down.

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 23, 2020

JRABQ said:
I think a nonresident 5B hunter posted on MM last year, search the archives if you haven't already an see if you can track him down.

Thank you JRABQ! I think I've exhausted all the potential google searches a person can do in the first 24 hours. I do have a pretty good base knowledge on the areas that I'm going to be focusing on to start with, but a lot of my questions at this point are related to what roads are navigable, how reliable some of the water sources are on onxmaps, strategies that have been successful in that unit (i.e. slowly working the juniper or working some of the more open areas with glass), if there are areas that get less pressure from the elk hunters as there are going to be a lot more of them than deer hunters, etc.

I actually really enjoy the research side of a hunt, so I'm excited to jump in now that my 0.37% chance has turned into an actual tag

!

Take care,
Chuck

jmgraham1986 · Apr 23, 2020

I don't feel bad about trying to give a little bit of inside information that I know about the unit. You've done your homework, and all the additional planning to set yourself up for a grand-slam first choice deer hunt. I appreciate that.
You're gonna catch flack here for jumping on and asking for direction, but nobody could expect you to fly out to NM to scout someplace that you, frankly, stand a snowballs chance in hell of drawing.
I commented on your post on another forum and I'll send you a PM over there.

El Gringo · Apr 23, 2020

That's a tag, that you would REALLY benefit from an outfitter, or some pretty extensive scouting right before the hunt IMO.
I'm pretty sure you drew the only non-res, non outfitted tag. Congratulations.... I'm jealous.

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 23, 2020

Hi jmgraham,

I've been around hunting forums enough to know how it looks when the "new guy" jumps on with a first post asking for direction, so if I catch some heat, I'll understand. As dumb as it sounds, I have actually done a fair amount of research on the unit before applying even though I knew there was almost no chance of drawing.

I do plan on getting down and having 3 full days to scout prior to the hunt, but with my Wyoming hunt I don't think its realistic to be able to make a separate trip to scout.

My next calls are going to be the biologist and the game wardens in the area, but I'm sure they get bombarded in the first week after the draw, so I might give them a little time.

I do appreciate any advice others may have that know the area.

Thank you,
Chuck

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 23, 2020

Thank you! There has only been 1 non resident rifle tag each year up until last year when there were 2. My understanding is that with the new system, the New Mexico Game and Fish will only allocate 1 in 16 tags to nonresidents (6%) and will not go over. Given that there was only 26 tags last year, this would appear to mean that there was only 1 nonresident rifle tag given, so you may be right.

With that said, the way the draw system works, its kind of a no brainer to shoot for the moon on the first choice and then be a little more sensible after that. To be honest, it was my version of buying a lottery ticket.

gringo said:
That's a tag, that you would REALLY benefit from an outfitter, or some pretty extensive scouting right before the hunt IMO.
I'm pretty sure you drew the only non-res, non outfitted tag. Congratulations.... I'm jealous.

JRABQ · Apr 23, 2020

This might be the guy I was thinking of

5B mule deer | New Mexico

Hello all, I got lucky and drew the 11/2-6 rifle buck tag in 5b. If anyone has any advise or insight I would really appreciate the help. What's the closest lodging to the unit? I live in GA so I may come out once to scout it a little but more than likely I will show up a week early and get...

www.monstermuleys.info

deadon · Apr 23, 2020

PM sent.

JDElec · Apr 24, 2020

You do have an awesome tag. Keep us posted on how the hunt goes. My boy drew one of few even better tags the 5b late youth rifle deer hunt. Same as your hunt but a couple weeks later. He’s bouncing off the walls and he would love to keep tabs on you and see your success. Good luck

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 24, 2020

JDElec said:
You do have an awesome tag. Keep us posted on how the hunt goes. My boy drew one of few even better tags the 5b late youth rifle deer hunt. Same as your hunt but a couple weeks later. He’s bouncing off the walls and he would love to keep tabs on you and see your success. Good luck

Hi JD,

I will definitely keep in touch and let you know how I do. I’ll be sure to post the story as well after the hunt is complete.

congrats to your son! He should be in for one heck of hunt given the rut will be in full gear!

SDBugler · Apr 24, 2020

OJ
Congratulations on the tag.
What part of MN are you in?
I'm near Sioux Falls, SD and one of my sons is up in Mountain Iron, MN.

My oldest son had the youth hunt several years ago.
Below is a link to the post. I have helped a couple other guys that have been lucky enough to draw the tag.

Shoot me a PM and I can share some info.

5b Elk | New Mexico

Was wondering if any bulls were shot in 5b on this weeks elk hunt? I heard there was a lot of rain and mud.

www.monstermuleys.info

Outdoor Junkie · Apr 26, 2020

SDBugler said:
OJ
Congratulations on the tag.
What part of MN are you in?
I'm near Sioux Falls, SD and one of my sons is up in Mountain Iron, MN.

My oldest son had the youth hunt several years ago.
Below is a link to the post. I have helped a couple other guys that have been lucky enough to draw the tag.

Shoot me a PM and I can share some info.

5b Elk | New Mexico

Was wondering if any bulls were shot in 5b on this weeks elk hunt? I heard there was a lot of rain and mud.

www.monstermuleys.info

Hi SD,

I live in Forest Lake, MN which is about 30-35 minutes north or St. Paul and Minneapolis. We’re still considered part of the Twin Cities, but we are on the far outskirts.
One of my best friends grew up in Virginia, MN which is right next door to Mountain Iron. I’ve been up there a bunch over the years to hunt and fish with him. It’s a great area for a kid who loves the outdoors to be.

I’ll shoot you a PM.

take care,
Chuck

Maravilla · Oct 25, 2021

Outdoor Junkie said:
Hi everyone,

First, I wanted to introduce myself. I grew up in Wisconsin, but live in Minnesota and have hunted whitetails for 30 years. In the last 8 years I've really jumped into the western hunting with elk, mule deer and antelope, with my true love being the backpack mule deer hunts that I've done in Wyoming and Idaho.

I've been a member or Hunttalk for about 8 years and more recently Rokslide, but I never set up my MM account until today, even though I've been reading the forum for a long time.

With that said, I am one of the two people who drew the non-resident rifle deer tag in Unit 5B. I am completely blown away as I knew this was a shot in the dark, but given the system I figured I'd shoot for the moon on the first choice.

I've done a lot of research prior to the draw, but that is going to ramp up quickly here in the next weeks and months. I have a couple general areas where I'll be focusing my efforts initially, but I'm open to feedback if anyone has it.

I'm looking forward to a great hunt in November and the opportunity to see some really cool country.

I've attached a couple pictures of some of my past luck. I'm hoping to this year is just as fruitful as I will also be gong back to Wyoming in September to the high country.

Take care,
Chuck
View attachment 5631

View attachment 5632

How did you do on the NM 5B hunt last year? I have the sae tag this year. Thanks.