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Hunt trophy elk in New Mexico's Gila |
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We've worked with this outfitter for many years, and he consistently produces some of the largest bull elk taken in North America. He hunts primarily on public land in the Gila National Forest area. If you fail to draw a permit in the state's lottery drawing, you can buy a landowner permit. He takes hunters during bow, rifle and muzzleloader seasons in six different units.
Rifle hunter success for the past 20 years has averged 70 percent with most hunters who did score passing on multiple bulls or missing or nicking an animal. Usually his bigger bulls score in the 340s and 350s, but he has produced many bulls that have scored 370 to more than 400 Boone and Crockett gross points. HIs bowhunting success rate ranges from about 20 to 50 percent almost every year. Most of his archery-killed bulls score 300 or more Pope and Young points, and he has placed many bulls high in the P&Y Club records, including many animals scoring 370 to 392 B&C. Archers should be prepared to shoot accurately up to 45 yards. Muzzleloader hunter success is usually at least 50 percent with the better bulls typically scoring 340 to 350 B&C points. He has produced many bulls scoring 360 to 380-plus. Currently hunters can use frontloaders with scopes and loaded with Pyrodex pellets. Keep in mind that even though these units produce some of the biggest elk in the world every year, the hunting is not easy. The country is big and rough, and the better your physical condition the better you'll do. Rainfall is a major factor in antler growth in this part of the Southwest. For example, antler size was down a bit in 2000 due to dry conditions during the spring and summer of 2000. |
 
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