2016 New Mexico Elk Is On The Wall

I hunted and killed this elk in 2016 in Gila Forest near White Rocks, New Mexico.



Finally put him on the wall tonight.
We need to finish clearing out and moving Lana's crosses to another location, but here he is.

Nice!

Lovely bull, did you diy hunt tbid bloke?

Awesome bull! Congratulations!
Can’t believe you can elk hunt in a short sleeve shirt!
What kind of rifle?
What cartridge/bullet?
How did it perform?
Thanks!

Nice bull, congrats!

Man he is nice! Congrats

I had a guide. We were in unit 23 which is a more difficult unit than the bordering unit 16s (a,b,c etc).

It was the 2nd rifle season, late October. Had a warm front that impacted the elk and our hunt.
It was the 4th day of a 5 day hunt.
He was the only bull I saw on the hunt, except a one over 1/2 mile away and a very small one at 300+ yards.
I did see a few cows here and there.

On this morning we hiked very early into a place that was high up, not even glassing on the way.
The elk were bedding up very early and leaving bed at dark due to the heat (we assumed).
(just to let you know, I know nothing about elk as this was my first elk hunt).

We settled in and begin watching down the mountain.
Guide is doing some cow calling when a real cow answered him downhill.
they talked back and forth a little and she passed under us in a gulley and circled uphill of us.
Got a good look at her pretty close.
Guide is watch the gully and down the mountain.
I am watching up the mountain as the cow was heading that way before circling to us.
There was a ridgeline about 200 yds away (uphill) that was hiding a little bit of area.
He stepped out from that area at 180 yds and stopped. (we later ranged it)
I said "There he is at about 200 yds".
Guide said "Ok, let's get a good look and see if we can call him......"
My rifle said "BOOM." and the elk fell. I shot him sitting down but free-handed.

Guide said "I was about to set up the sticks for you and say let's call him closer."
I said, "He couldn't have been over 200 yds and I'm better without sticks at that range." (with rifle propped on my knee).

I was wearing a camo long sleeve over that t-shirt, but just moving the elk for the picture made both of us sweaty so I took off the long-sleeve.

The thing was, we got there very early, practically dark to get to the bedding area ahead of them.
We were practically at the top of the mountain at White Rocks, but he still beat us there.


I would love to go elk hunting again. I need to start applying every year and wait and hope.


edit to add:
I was using my Savage 300wsm with 180gr Accubonds.
Elk made 2-3 steps after shot and fell within 15-20 seconds.
Bullet did everything it was supposed to do.
Shot was right where it was supposed to be, though.

Uh oh! Your first elk? You’re going to have a difficult time topping that one! Was it a full moon? Elk are pretty sensitive about the moon. They will come out late and go back in before daylight around a full moon phase.
You did great! I’m jealous!

Very nice elk!!

Ridgewalker said:

Uh oh! Your first elk? You’re going to have a difficult time topping that one! Was it a full moon? Elk are pretty sensitive about the moon. They will come out late and go back in before daylight around a full moon phase.
You did great! I’m jealous!

Click to expand...

actually, I was very fortunate.
First time to put in for an elk tag.
Unit 16 had a 10% chance or so. I drew Unit 23 as my last choice with a less than 20% chance.

I had a friend just kill his first elk this past Fall after 4 trips. 2 rifle and 2 bow. He got it done with a rifle, finally.
He hunted Colorado 2 times, Wyoming 1 time, and finally killed one with a different outfit near wear I was hunting, albeit a much more expensive hunt. His was also a 6x6 but not very heavy, kind of spindly.

My elk was not one of those really high scorers, but his horns were very heavy. I am happy.
My guide was looking for a 340+. I think he wanted to judge him longer and tell me to hold off.
I think I gave him 2 seconds to judge him. lol.
I liked him and it was the next to last day. so, boom.

Hunt started on 1/2 moon and I killed him on a 1/4 moon day.
Temp was a high of 80 degrees most days.

Curiosity just kicked in so he just got measured the first time. If I did everything right.......
He measures about 316 gross (with a broken point and broken tip)
Estimating about 325 if those weren't broken (by looking at other side)
He gets hurt a great deal on net because of the broken points and an extra point on left side, about or less than 300 net.

Funny, I never measured him until today. It didn't matter too much to me then.
But he scored better than we had guessed. (or maybe the guide was talking about net score, idk)

I’ve only hunted public land in Colorado. Since early 1980s. I have only seen bulls that class rarely (I could count on one hand) and either I had a cow tag, they were on private land, or they were too far to take an ethical shot.
Next year I plan to hire an outfitter for muzzleloading season. It will be my first time to ever hire an outfitter for elk. That said, I have taken 17 half cows and the rest spindly 4 and 5 points.
You are unbelievably lucky IMO! Me, I’ll take luck any day over skill. You did right pulling the trigger on that one IMO!
Best of luck on your next one!

thanks. I hope you get a good one this year. Where are you going to hunt?

I will horseback into the Rawah Wilderness in northern Colorado. Oh and that’s September 2019. I’ll be 72 then and hope I’m still in good shape.
2018 I’ll be helping a young guy (66) try to find him a bull west of Rocky Mountain National Park. I hauled 3 pack loads out of there two years ago. I’m working out three days a week to stay in shape. I’d hate to have a heart attack out of cell range, so got to keep in the best shape I can.

Nice bull, I have killed many within view of white rocks. It is a hard unit to hunt but there are some good bulls in there if you are willing to work for them.
Congratulations,
Cody