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Need info unit 53 new mexico around Questa

M

MoFescue

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Joined
Feb 1, 2007
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21
Location
North MO
I'm looking for any kind of info about the area, I have first season elk tag. This is my first trip to this area thought i might try and see if there is anybody who lives or has been there. anything will be appreciated. Thanks Tom
 
I'll try the west border is the rio grande river,the south border is highway 570 over to the taos county line going east then north up the county line passes by the valle vidal then cuts back west by latir peak then north to costilla. thats about the best directions i can give ya there's not much for roads or rivers to go by on the east side hope this helps.
 
Never mind, I found it

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/hunting/unitmaps/2006/high_res/GMU53.pdf -

If I were going to go there, I would probably stay in Red River. There are lots of guides (hire one) and outfitters there. If you can, pack in on horseback towards Wheeler. I was hunting elk in that area quite a few years ago, and it was a good four hour ride up to where the elk are. If you have a digital camera, take extra batteries, and a couple of 2 gig memory cards.....that is some of the most beautiful country in the world. I don't know when you are going up there, so I don;t know if you need someone who can bugle or not. If you do, get a local who knows the calls. You will be in arctic tundra type of climate, mostly. It WILL be cold....there is snow up there all year, so dress accordingly. August and September can have severe thunderstorms come up suddenly, so carry a slicker. Being above the clouds and looking down at lightning strikes is scary but fun.

The reason I suggest Red River, is that it was settled by Okies back in the 40's and 50's. Questa is an older Spanish Settlement and it was always limited in what it provided in accommodation. Taos is a gorgeous town but it is full of old hippies, has horrible traffic problems, and is a long way from where you can jump off to hunt. You may be able to find places to stay in the Valdez/Arroyo Seco/Twinning areas but for the most part they aren't open or have much to offer until ski season....around thanksgiving. Red River is anglo, so you will feel more at home, it is a resort town....summer time jeep rentals and trout fishing, etc; it has a good ski slope; it caters to hunters in the fall. Prices are a bit high, but Taos is higher. It has better restaurants than Questa, Eagles Nest, etc.......some as good as Taos. and Red River is closest to the Wheeler Wilderness Area..........

I lived for several years in southern Taos County, near the Picuris Pueblo and did most my hunting, fishing and riding in the Pecos Wilderness around Jicarita Peak, so I don't know the streams and peaks like I should up by Wheeler. .

Hope that helps a bit.

Goodpasture
 
Thanks GP I'm thinking either the latir wilderness area or wheeler going out early to do some scouting. leave home 10/1 hunt starts 10/6 . The info on the towns is handy. As far as a guide goes we enjoy doing it ourselves, it is a yearly retreat somewhere usually west elk wildrness up by Gunnisson CO. Have also lived and hunted in north west Wyoming, did some packing and guiding right out of high school. I just enjoy be out there anywhere in the mountains for couple weeks a year riding my horse and chasing elk. thanks Tom
 
If you have experience and gear, it can be great. I used to work with Tex Gibbard down near Llano San Juan, near Penasco, who did a lot of packing in. I think his son Clifford runs it now, but he is in a different Game Unit. If I seemed to tell you some pretty elementary things, I apologize, but you would be amazed at how many people show up in shorty shorts and flip flops that want to ride a horse in the mountains, or the number of the guys who pack in that need help keeping a 25 year old trail riding gelding under control.
 
I appreciate everything you relayed to me GP no offense taken and i sure didn't mean any. I know the types you are refering to. I have wanted to hunt elk in new mex, for proably 20 years. I'm always nervous about a new area especially one i've never been in. oh well i guess that's what makes it so interesting. I'll try to remeber when i get back to post some pis and give you the rundown thanks again Tom
 

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