Unit 16 Mule Deer

JB1975 · Apr 21, 2021

Drew rifle tag and plan on 2-3 scouting trips this summer. Any recommendations on guides for 16? May or may not go that route but want to explore all options.
Thanks in advance.

MTunderRadar · Apr 21, 2021

David Silva - Gila DNA Outfitters

That's who I'd call if I was inclined to use an outfitter.

JB1975 · Apr 21, 2021

MTunderRadar said:
David Silva - Gila DNA Outfitters

That's who I'd call if I was inclined to use an outfitter.

Thank you sir.

BrianID · Apr 22, 2021

Don’t get your expectations too high for this hunt. Most of 16 has low deer densities. You could easily go 2-3 days without seeing a deer in 16. Southern NM lacks the genetics/habitat to consistently grow big mule deer antlers. If you put the time and effort in you do stand a chance of killing a 5+ year old buck. If you get more than a mile away from a road, you may not see another hunter the entire 5 days of your hunt. You will enjoy yourself if you appreciate the solitude and scenery. Even though it is November, you may have T short weather most afternoons and any significant rutting activity won’t start until a month after your hunt closes.

JB1975 · Apr 22, 2021

BrianID said:
Don’t get your expectations too high for this hunt. Most of 16 has low deer densities. You could easily go 2-3 days without seeing a deer in 16. Southern NM lacks the genetics/habitat to consistently grow big mule deer antlers. If you put the time and effort in you do stand a chance of killing a 5+ year old buck. If you get more than a mile away from a road, you may not see another hunter the entire 5 days of your hunt. You will enjoy yourself if you appreciate the solitude and scenery. Even though it is November, you may have T short weather most afternoons and any significant rutting activity won’t start until a month after your hunt closes.

No expectations other than a good time away from work. Will do a bunch of homework over the next couple months before a few trips to check it out.
Thank you for your information. I appreciate it.

garneroutlaw · Apr 22, 2021

JB1975 said:
No expectations other than a good time away from work. Will do a bunch of homework over the next couple months before a few trips to check it out.
Thank you for your information. I appreciate it.

Hi JB. Yea, good idea. It's fun country to trounce around in. I was down there last year. Most of 16 does not hold deer, and deer density is overall low in most parts of the unit. I've seen more wild donkeys and wild horses in 16 than deer. Ther are units that are much better, and there are units which are much worse. The horses are really fun when they roll in at 3 AM and surround your camp. I wouldn't kill yourself trying to get miles deep, as I went in 4-5 miles in places and saw no deer glassing early morning hours and late. Escouting is your friend. With that being said, with enough hard work and a bit of luck, you can find pockets of 10 or so does with a couple of bucks with them. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of such groups late opening morning. If you can identify 2-3 pockets like this going into opening morning, you should harvest. They don't like to move out of these areas.

JB1975 · Apr 22, 2021

garneroutlaw said:
Hi JB. Yea, good idea. It's fun country to trounce around in. I was down there last year. Most of 16 does not hold deer, and deer density is overall low in most parts of the unit. I've seen more wild donkeys and wild horses in 16 than deer. Ther are units that are much better, and there are units which are much worse. The horses are really fun when they roll in at 3 AM and surround your camp. I wouldn't kill yourself trying to get miles deep, as I went in 4-5 miles in places and saw no deer glassing early morning hours and late. Escouting is your friend. With that being said, with enough hard work and a bit of luck, you can find pockets of 10 or so does with a couple of bucks with them.

Thank you sir. I will make it a good time either way. Appreciate the insight.

garneroutlaw · Apr 22, 2021

JB1975 said:
Thank you sir. I will make it a good time either way. Appreciate the insight.

Do us all a favor and try to get a few of these beasts when ur down there.

I think these are coyotes......

JB1975 · Apr 22, 2021

garneroutlaw said:
Do us all a favor and try to get a few of these beasts when ur down there. I think these are coyotes......View attachment 38023

Ha! Done!

tayhot · Apr 22, 2021

Last year, there was only 4 bucks in all of the 16s. We killed two nice ones out of that herd of 4. There’s two left now. Happy hunting. ?

coryb · Apr 22, 2021

I’ve elk and/or turkey hunted 16 quite a few times over the last 10+ years and have pretty much always seen deer in September. I could point you to a few spots that are consistent for mule deer and other spots for coues, not sure if they will move out before your hunt as I’ve never been there later. Does your tag allow coues?

Cory
505.304.2363

JB1975 · Apr 23, 2021

Cory, thank you for the offer. The tag is muley only. I have received numerous offers for information from good guys like yourself and I will be reaching out to all as scouting gets closer. Thank you sir

Muleman · Apr 24, 2021

Unit 16 is either mule or whitetail. You can shoot what you find

JB1975 · Apr 24, 2021

Didn’t know that. Thanks for the heads up.

snit · Apr 25, 2021

My son drew a Unit 16 youth tag as well.

He won an NM out-of-state tag/license last year for Unit 22 (rifle). While it was a difficult hunt for us, having never been to the state before, we persevered and he killed a buck that made his mind up for him (just a deer, but we hadn't seen much after 3 days of hunting). We enjoyed the trip so much, I ended up entering him in several youth draws this year. Thus he was selected for the Nov 20-28 deer tag in Unit 16, and an off-base oryx tag for December.. Good luck to you! Now to do some homework for our next NM adventure...

JB1975 · Apr 25, 2021

Thank you sir and congrats to your son. I am happy to share any info I get from my research and scouting trips before the hunt. Also happy to reach out to you after my hunt with any updated notes. Mine ends 11/17 so right before you guys get there. Looking forward to a great time no matter the outcome.

snit · Apr 25, 2021

Much appreciated! I was a member here many years ago, then after the extended hiatus, I had to re-join last year.

If anyone needs information regarding his hunt from Unit 22 last year (both Coues and mulies) I'd be glad to share.

Prime_Beef · Apr 25, 2021

tayhot said:
Last year, there was only 4 bucks in all of the 16s. We killed two nice ones out of that herd of 4. There’s two left now. Happy hunting. ?

Sorry. Only one.

PM sent.

JB1975 · Apr 25, 2021

Thank you sir

Rphsr68 · Jul 31, 2022

I'm looking for a little advice I drew New Mexico unit 16 for deer Bow hunt in September was asking if anybody knew where to start I was thinking of hunting 16A or D Because of the fires but if anyone can share some advice or what sections to look at that greatly appreciated

Jarhead · Jul 31, 2022

I killed a deer in 16 last year 7 point not a monster but it’s a tough hunt they are in there but so are the wolfs I would start in Collins park.

Rphsr68 · Jul 31, 2022

Jarhead said:
I killed a deer in 16 last year 7 point not a monster but it’s a tough hunt they are in there but so are the wolfs I would start in Collins park.

Thank you and I appreciate that I will start there

Donkeyman · Sep 27, 2022

coryb said:
I’ve elk and/or turkey hunted 16 quite a few times over the last 10+ years and have pretty much always seen deer in September. I could point you to a few spots that are consistent for mule deer and other spots for coues, not sure if they will move out before your hunt as I’ve never been there later. Does your tag allow coues?

Cory
505.304.2363

Cory I’m going to shoot you a text

BUGLEnmIN · Sep 28, 2022

Rphsr68 said:
I'm looking for a little advice I drew New Mexico unit 16 for deer Bow hunt in September was asking if anybody knew where to start I was thinking of hunting 16A or D Because of the fires but if anyone can share some advice or what sections to look at that greatly appreciated

Did you kill one?

TyDorn · Oct 15, 2023

Can/Is anyone willing to give me some advice? I’m active duty military and was given a Unit 16 Deer tag with a month to prepare. This will be my first mule deer hunt and have no idea in what section of Unit 16 to even start. I really appreciate any help.

NMFROM81 · Oct 15, 2023

JB1975 said:
No expectations other than a good time away from work. Will do a bunch of homework over the next couple months before a few trips to check it out.
Thank you for your information. I appreciate it.

I’ve got no helpful recommendations. Stumbled into a couple really nice mule deer and coues deer in there on elk hunts.

It can be done, hope you find one.

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 15, 2023

They’re are some pockets that hold quantities n quality that’s for sure.
I’m still curious if JB1975 killed one ?

JB1975 · Oct 15, 2023

BUGLEnmIN said:
They’re are some pockets that hold quantities n quality that’s for sure.
I’m still curious if JB1975 killed one ?

Lol, no sir. Ended up having to turn the tag back in. Had issues on a well and could not get away.

AvgWIhunter · Oct 15, 2023

TyDorn said:
Can/Is anyone willing to give me some advice? I’m active duty military and was given a Unit 16 Deer tag with a month to prepare. This will be my first mule deer hunt and have no idea in what section of Unit 16 to even start. I really appreciate any help.

What are the dates of your hunt? I don't have any good info for you yet, but I'll be hunting 10/28 to 11/1 and can let you know what we come up with.

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 15, 2023

JB1975 said:
Lol, no sir. Ended up having to turn the tag back in. Had issues on a well and could not get away.

O man that sucks

N8tivehunter · Oct 15, 2023

Unit 16, 2022. I hope he’s still out there on my wife's ML hunt

TyDorn · Oct 15, 2023

AvgWIhunter said:
What are the dates of your hunt? I don't have any good info for you yet, but I'll be hunting 10/28 to 11/1 and can let you know what we come up with.

My dates are 11/11 - 11/15

TyDorn · Oct 15, 2023

N8tivehunter said:
Unit 16, 2022. I hope he’s still out there on my wife's ML hunt
View attachment 122945

Would you be willing to give me an approximate location like what section of unit 16 A, B, C, D, or E?

TyDorn · Oct 15, 2023

I’m really just wondering what section of unit 16 to even start in

muleybeast · Oct 15, 2023

Maybe camp at Snow Lake. Then hunt the north facing ridges following along willow creek. Super steep on some of those slopes but some do hold deer.

Fishing might be good also if they stocked recently.

TyDorn · Oct 16, 2023

muleybeast said:
Maybe camp at Snow Lake. Then hunt the north facing ridges following along willow creek. Super steep on some of those slopes but some do hold deer.

Fishing might be good also if they stocked recently.

Thank you I’ll definitely keep that in mind!

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 16, 2023

N8tivehunter said:
Unit 16, 2022. I hope he’s still out there on my wife's ML hunt
View attachment 122945

Killed that deer in September ??‍

DoeNob · Oct 23, 2023

If you drive through Datil, stop and see this one at the gas station, if it's still hanging. Not sure where it was killed but assume close by.

mozey · Oct 23, 2023

DoeNob said:
If you drive through Datil, stop and see this one at the gas station, if it's still hanging. Not sure where it was killed but assume close by.

View attachment 123772

I've oogled at that buck many times and even asked the person behind the counter for the story, for which they professed ignorance. Would love to hear it if anyone knows...

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 24, 2023

mozey said:
I've oogled at that buck many times and even asked the person behind the counter for the story, for which they professed ignorance. Would love to hear it if anyone knows...

??‍

Mr Mozey I’ll p.m. you.

Slick8 · Oct 24, 2023

Dang Bugle, just leave the names out and give us the story.

We're now certain it was poached...

smarba · Oct 24, 2023

HAAA! I too have stared at that buck every time I passed thru Datil

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 24, 2023

smarba said:
HAAA! I too have stared at that buck every time I passed thru Datil

Years ago it was killed south of beaver head. Flippin monster!!!

prizes14 · Oct 27, 2023

BUGLEnmIN said:
Years ago it was killed south of beaver head. Flippin monster!!!

I was just in that gas station a couple weeks ago on my antelope and wondered the story on that buck too. Send me a PM if there is any more story to it. The woman at the counter didn't know much about it when I asked either.

Treefiddy · Dec 20, 2023

I tagged out in 16 this year. It was my 2nd ever mule deer hunt so I'm still a noob but I'm super happy. I made some mistakes and learned a few things the hard way but I still managed to get him. It's probably the best way it could have happened.

Edit- I would've gotten better pics but it took me long enough to find him and when I did I just wanted to get to work.

Largebull · Dec 20, 2023

Treefiddy said:
I tagged out in 16 this year. It was my 2nd ever mule deer hunt so I'm still a noob but I'm super happy. I made some mistakes and learned a few things the hard way but I still managed to get him. It's probably the best way it could have happened.

Congrats, How Big?......................................BULL!

Treefiddy · Dec 20, 2023

Largebull said:
Congrats, How Big?......................................BULL!

Thank you. I attached a pic now. I don't think he's much compared to a lot of the pics I've seen here but I would've been happy with less. Way better than what I saw last year in unit 25.