Hondo Ranch Elk Hunting

Elite offers archery and rifle hunts for the on the Hondo Ranch.

The Hondo Ranch consists of approximately 5,000 acres of valley meadows and pinon pine and juniper-covered hills. The ranch is located in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains and borders the renowned Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation for 3 miles. No high fences. Just a quality, fair-chase trophy elk hunt.

New for the 2007 season was the addition of winter wheat food plots planted in mid summer. Elk are exceptionally fond of wheat and the addition of the food plots will only enhanced the numbers of elk on the ranch. Numerous other habitat improvements, including increased water distribution, have already been implemented.

Access to the hunting areas will be with 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATV's. After that, the hunt will require you to cover the hunting grounds on foot to locate the bulls.

To maximize your chances of harvesting a mature bull, no more than two hunters per hunt will be booked on this ranch and each hunter will be guided 1 on 1.

The hunting licenses for all hunts on the Hondo Ranch are guaranteed without having to go through the draw. The hunt price includes a landowner permit, which is a voucher that allows you to purchase a $555 hunting license. Other than drawing a tag, the landowner permit is the only way to obtain an elk license in New Mexico, residents and nonresidents alike.

Accommodations will be provided either in a cabin at the ranch during the archery hunts or in Elite's lodge during the rifle hunts. Visit The Lodge.

All meals and field transportation will be provided. Airport service is available into El Paso, TX or Albuquerque, NM. You can either rent a vehicle and drive to the lodge or charter a van from a local service to bring your group to and from the airport.

Hondo Ranch Archery Hunts

Elite offers archery hunts on the Hondo Ranch. The hunts will be conducted during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of September.

Only one hunter per week will be booked on the Hondo Ranch during the archery season. Also, only two archery hunters will hunt the Hondo Ranch each season.

In 2006, only one hunter was taken during the archery season due to the late date of the permit acquisition. Larry Woodward of Scentblocker's Just Hunt TV show hunted and filmed the last three days of the archery season. He almost got a shot opportunity at a 350+ class bull, but got winded at the last moment. Larry ended up taking a solid 5x5 on the last morning of the hunt.

In 2007, three hunters archery hunted the Hondo Ranch with all three hunters shooting 320+ bulls. Unfortunately, none of the three bulls were recovered.

The primary hunting tactics for the archery hunts will be spot and stalk, waiting for the elk near water, and calling. The spot and stalk, and calling techniques are used more in the mornings when the bulls are active. The afternoons are usually spent watching water and food plots. Ladder stands and ground blinds will both be utilized.

Statistics

Out of 1 archery hunter in 2006:
* 1 (100%) harvested a 5-point bull

Out of 3 archery hunters in 2007:
* 3 (100%) had shot opportunities at a 320+ bull
* 0 (0%) harvested a bull

References

Larry Woodward, MO 314-308-0628 "I have been hunting with Elite Outfitters every year for the past 10 years. You can only do one elk hunt in New Mexico each year and I fortunately am in a position to be able to choose where I want to hunt each year. I hunt with Elite each season because they know what they are doing, they care about their clients, and flat just have the best elk hunting I have ever seen. The Hondo Ranch produced a great 350-class bull that I needed to take one more step to release my arrow. I just wished I would have had more time."

Bob Petelin, MI 216-244-5875 "My guide, Mike Acklin, put me on a quality bull immediately. It almost seemed too easy. I will definitely come back to hunt with Elite."

All 2008 archery hunts are booked.

Now booking for 2009.

2009 Prices

6-Day Archery Elk Hunt

$8500 (1 on 1)

Price includes a landowner permit for a guaranteed license.

2009 Archery Seasons

Sep 9-14, 2009
Sep 17-22, 2009

2009 Guaranteed License

Elk - $555

Elite has implemented a mandatory broadhead policy. Please see the "Policies Page" below.

Policies

Archery Hunt Equipment List

Contract and Booking Information

Hondo Ranch Rifle Hunts

Elite will offer rifle hunts on the Hondo Ranch for the 2007 season. The hunts will be conducted from October through December.

The primary hunting tactic is spot and stalk, almost exclusively. The terrain has numerous openings in the timber which makes for excellent glassing. Once a bull is located, the stalk is on. The October seasons sometimes offer calling opportunities which will be pursued with vigor.

The 2006 season produced 100% success on 320+ bulls with the exception of one bull taken with missing G2's. The missing points pushed it under 320 inches, but it was a good bull, nonetheless.

Elite expects to hunt for 300+ class bulls exclusively. The hunt will produce this opportunity with enough patience and work. This ranch probably offers the best chance at a 350+ bull.

Statistics

Out of 5 rifle hunters in 2006:
* 5 (100%) harvested a 300 or better bull
* 4 (80%) harvested a 320 or better bull

Out of 7 rifle hunters in 2007:
*6 (86%) harvested a 320 or better bull

References

Duane Corn, MO 417-662-3390 "If you want to kill enormous bull elk, Elite Outfitters has the ranches, the know how, and the grit in their crew to make it happen.

Wilson Harvey, MS 662-746-8451 "Excellent quality elk and great people. It doesn't get any better than that. Practice shooting 400 yards and listen to your guide. If you do, your opportunity at a big, bull elk will be excellent."

Jere Pewitt, TN 615-776-3192 "1) An honest and fair outfitter. 2) I was the last hunter of the elk season and the guides were still focused and excited to hunt. 3) I hunted with Johnny and Todd and enjoyed both my time afield and the non-hunting time.

Harlan King, NV 775-852-1777 "If you can show up in shape the chance at a trophy bull is there. Great hunt!"

Marc O'Brien, NV 916-834-4506 "Great country! Great people! The bulls outnumbered the cows 2 to 1! What more could you ask for?"

Gary Heath, MI 734-439-1118 "Practice shooting. Watch the guide and do what he does. I had a great time"