New Mexico is one of the top elk hunting destinations in the country. Big Horn Outfitters hunts elk in some of the premier areas in the west – including the legendary Gila and Apache National Forests. We also hunt on State land, BLM land, and private land. Access to this much area increases your odds of killing a monster bull.
We typically hunt Game Management Units 15, 16a, 16d, 17, and 23. Unit 15 and 17 are primitive weapons only units - archery or muzzleloader - depending on the hunt. The other units have rifle hunts in addition to archery and muzzleloader hunts.
Archery elk hunts run the whole month of September. The first archery hunt begins on Sep. 1 and ends on Sep. 15. This is the start of the rut and the bulls are actively looking for cows. We generally hunt from Sep. 11-15. The second archery elk hunt begins on Sep. 16. and ends Sep. 24. This is the heart of the rut in the areas we hunt, and the bigger bulls are active with the cows. We typically hunt from Sep. 20-24.
Muzzleloader and rifle hunts begin in October. The first hunt starts around the second week of October. The bulls are still bugling and trying to round up the last of the cows.
The second muzzleloader/rifle hunt starts about the third week of October. The bugling has slowed down, but you will still hear them occasionally. Because the bulls are moving a lot, it makes for good opportunities. It’s a great hunt and easier to draw than some of the rut hunts.
The third hunt is around the middle of November. This is one of our favorite hunts. Most of the bulls have left the cows and are high on the mountainsides feeding on the brush. This makes it easier to find and stalk them. We take some good trophies on this hunt.
Licenses are obtained through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish draw, or by purchasing a Governor's Tag or winning a Raffle Tag. The application period to draw a tag opens mid-January and closes mid-March. Be sure and apply with us through the Outfitter Draw for the best opportunity to draw a tag. If you are unsuccessful in the draw, we can get a guaranteed landowner tag for you. Prices for landowner tags fluctuate yearly based on demand. Contact us for availability and pricing.
In addition to the regular draw tags, one premium elk license is available annually to the general public. The hunt is available through the draw and is subject to the quota. The hunt code is ELK-1-700 and it allows hunting with any big game sporting arm in any unit statewide, including state wildlife management areas and private land with written permission, anytime between Sept. 1 and Jan. 31. Drawing this tag is like winning the elk hunting lottery and is worth applying for!
Prices
1-on-1 5-day Elk Hunt - $6,500.
2-on-1 5-day Elk Hunt - $5,500 per hunter. (2-on-1 is two hunters and one guide.)
Governor's Tag or Raffle Tag Hunts - Big Horn Outfitters will put together a hunt package specifically for Governor's Tag holders or Raffle Tag holders upon the tag holder's request. Contact us for more info.