Any tips you are willing to share with someone new to the area? Any help offered would be a game changer as I have had 2 bulls I scouted disappear with the uptick in Atvs at the start of the hunt.I know 53 very well and I think its a great unit!
The biggest issue that I'm picking up from hunters is that they're not hunting the right areas.
An HD or Q unit can also produce a terrible hunt and success is never a guarantee.
If you want to be successful in this unit you will need to get away from the roads.
The unit has good elk populations and big bulls can be found, but you will need to be in decent shape to get around the steep terrain and high elevations.
I shot a very nice 355 bull during the archery season and only ran into one other hunter over the course of 7 days.
He had also filled his tag with a cow.
Some friends were also very successful during the rifle season with another big bull that had 22+ inch G1's
If you hunt areas with easy access and roads you will find beautiful country and not very many elk.
A bit of homework or hunting with someone that knows the area is a good idea.
As far as the Vandalism is concerned....It's something that none of us want to deal with but it is happening everywhere....I have been hearing stories of vandalism in the Gila and other popular units in the past 2 years.
Make it a point to avoid any hostile hunters and if conflict occurs then move to a different spot because it is not worth ruining your trip over ignorant individuals.
Everyone will have different hunting tactics and different approaches so everyone will have a different opinion on units based on their personal experiences.
the best way to know a unit and to be successful each year is to consistently hunt that game unit and get to know it in and out or hunt with a guide.
Homework, homework, homework!
and not just internet homework.
The web is filled with spray.
Most of the hunters that know NM game units best and have harvested magnificent animals do not participate in forums like this.
I myself have started to refrain from posting on forums because of the negativity, gossip and competition that can surface from these sites.
I am however an advocate of sharing productive information and helping out my fellow hunters that are not able to scout areas like unit 53 because of lifes obligations or living in other states.
Best tip I can give you is don't expect to hear back from a guy that last posted in 2009.Any tips you are willing to share with someone new to the area? Any help offered would be a game changer as I have had 2 bulls I scouted disappear with the uptick in Atvs at the start of the hunt.
Despite no help from anyone on here except for a snarky comment mentioning “good luck getting a reply from an old post” I punched out on a nice bull 2nd morning. It didn’t take me long to figure it out. I’ll I will say is make sure you are in really, I mean realllly, good shape. Once you get away from all the roadside hunters it is like another world.Any tips you are willing to share with someone new to the area? Any help offered would be a game changer as I have had 2 bulls I scouted disappear with the uptick in Atvs at the start of the hunt.
Dick….Best tip I can give you is don't expect to hear back from a guy that last posted in 2009.
Good luck on your hunt! Maybe someone will send you a PM about the unit....
Post some pics of your bull.Dick….
Hey I’ll be in that unit this year. Any recommendations. I have hunted the valle Vidal and price land in angel fire (used to live there) but never pulled a tag in 53.Dick….
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