Unit 17 Bull Elk late Oct

UpToNoGood · Apr 26, 2021

I was lucky enough to get Mature Bull for unit 17 late Oct this year. I have my mind set on the San Mateo range but don't know it very well. Any tips on where to start scouting?

efnm · Apr 26, 2021

Up high in the canyons and/or by water. That's where I'll be on the same hunt.

shootakill · Apr 26, 2021

How about deer on that unit? My boy drew a youth rifle deer hunt.

BUGLEnmIN · Apr 26, 2021

UpToNoGood said:
I was lucky enough to get Mature Bull for unit 17 late Oct this year. I have my mind set on the San Mateo range but don't know it very well. Any tips on where to start scouting?

Says your from unit 17 on your profile ??
Efnm offers some wide words !

UpToNoGood · Apr 27, 2021

BUGLEnmIN said:
Says your from unit 17 on your profile ??
Efnm offers some wide words !

Yes I am from 17 but newly to the area so still learning.

BUGLEnmIN · Apr 27, 2021

UpToNoGood said:
Yes I am from 17 but newly to the area so still learning.

If you make some friends who are locals I’m sure they can give you better info than almost anybody on this site buddy

efnm · Apr 27, 2021

Absolutely - if you are in Magdalena then intel should be easy to get and you can probably see bulls from your house. Start finding the water tanks that have water and then learn the areas around them.

95% of the hunters you will be competing with won't want to climb more than 500' of elevation or hike more than a mile. It's worth the work.

billc · Apr 27, 2021

climb and glass the roughest stuff you can find near a good water source. That hunt is all about how good you are with glass and if you can shot better then avg. Shots can be long as hard to stalk in were some of the bulls go.

as far as deer I have seen more deer in 17 on the youth hunt then the other 5 units we have hunted deer in. Plenty of deer around and a nice 4x4 is very doable on the youth hunt. This deer taken 4 years ago in 17

UpToNoGood · Apr 27, 2021

Yeah I already know that most of the NM hunters are not leaving the vehicle unless they shoot something from the drivers seat. I like to get out and move from the crowd. So none of that is the issue. My current issue is learning the area and learning the water holes. I will start by going down hwy 60 and turn south towards Monica cabin and scout the area near Monica cabin.

muleybeast · Apr 28, 2021

Man I would start scouting near Kelly canyon and 30/30 hill. Hit all the nasty cuts that come off San Mateos and drain into Kelly Canyon

we always see bulls in this stuff. Super steep climbing. Pack in a stay once you get in there up high.

You will see some nice bucks in there too.

Also saw 5 black bears last year on my turkey hunt.

UpToNoGood · Apr 28, 2021

muleybeast said:
Man I would start scouting near Kelly canyon and 30/30 hill. Hit all the nasty cuts that come off San Mateos and drain into Kelly Canyon

we always see bulls in this stuff. Super steep climbing. Pack in a stay once you get in there up high.

You will see some nice bucks in there too.

Also saw 5 black bears last year on my turkey hunt.

Thanks for the tip but I have no idea where Kelly canyon and 30/30 hill is. Can you give me the general location so I can find it on google maps?

efnm · Apr 28, 2021

That's over in SW San Mateos

muleybeast · Apr 28, 2021

Sorry man.
Yeah head basically north up Monticello canyon. Take Burma road west up out of Monticello canyon. Follow said road East about a mile then head north on the forest service road. All those fingers in there are good.

Black Smoke · Aug 12, 2021

Heading to Magdalena Unit 17 Sept. 12th for the second archery Elk season. If anyone would like to spread some insight, tips, tactics for this time in the area PM me some information I would surely appreciate it. Anyone going for the first archery season?