New Mexico Rifle Elk Hunting with Elite Outfitters

The Sacramento Mountains rifle elk hunts take place throughout the second and fourth weeks of October. The Sacramento rifle hunts will be conducted out of the lodge and pack-in camps. Neither camp offers a better chance at good bulls than the other. It is purely a matter of how you would rather hunt.

The primary tactic is to rely on spot and stalk methods in the meadows and the thick, steep canyons where the bulls will recover from the rut and prepare for the upcoming winter. Spotting bulls a mile or two away is not uncommon in some areas and you must be in shape to be able to close the distance and get a shot before the bull hits the timber.

Regardless, your guide will expect you to be able to cover lots of steep terrain just to locate the right bull. Sometimes it will seem easy, but you can't count on it.

By mid October, many of the leaves have fallen off of the abundant oak and aspen trees which allows you to see into much of the cover on opposite sides of the canyons. Yet, the bulls still feel concealed and often present good cross-canyon shot opportunities that wouldn't be available with a muzzleloader.

The rifle hunts are usually the most consistent at producing shot opportunities at bulls. As a rule, usually any hunter that can stick with their guide will get an opportunity at a 5-point or better bull. Hunters who are in good enough shape to hunt five full days, usually can get a shot opportunity at a good 6-point. Hunting for 300 to 360-class bulls is a very realistic expectation if you will just hold off the lesser bulls and maintain your patience.

Anticipated draw success is 1 out of 7 for the rifle hunts. Compare these odds to similar hunts elsewhere and you'll see that they are actually pretty good draw odds.

Rifle Statistics

Out of 8 rifle hunters in 2002:
* 8 (100%) had shot opportunities at 5-points or better
* 7 (88%) harvested a 5-point or better bull
* 5 (63%) had shot opportunities at 6-points or better
* 5 (63%) harvested a 6-point or better bull

Out of 3 rifle hunters in 2003:
* 1 (33%) quit hunting due to poor conditioning on the first morning of the hunt
* 1 (33%) harvested a 5-point bull on the 1st afternoon of the hunt
* 1 (33%) quit hunting due to poor conditioning after the third day of the hunt

Out of 7 rifle hunters in 2004:
* 7 (100%) had shot opps at 4-point or better bulls
* 7 (100%) harvested a 4-point or better bull
* 4 (57%) had shot opps at 6-point or better bulls
* 3 (43%) harvested a 6-point or better bull

Out of 11 rifle hunters in 2005:
* 11 (100%) had shot opps at 5-point or better bulls
* 9 (82%) had shot opps at 6-point or better bulls
* 8 (73%) harvested a 5-point or better bull
* 6 (55%) harvested a 6-point or better bull

Out of 4 rifle hunters in 2006:
* 4 (100%) had shot opportunities at 6-point or better bulls
* 4 (100%) harvested a 6-point or better bull

Out of 15 rifle hunters in 2007:
* 15 (100%) had shot opportunities at 5-point or better bulls
* 13 (87%) had shot opportunities at 6-point or better bulls
* 13 (87%) harvested a 5-point or better bull
* 12 (80%) harvested a 6-point or better bull

Rifle References

Jim Shultz, MO 816-804-9319 "If you show up in superb cardiovascular condition, you are in for the hunt of a lifetime. The accommodations are very comfortable, the food is great and most importantly, the guides are first class and they work extremely hard to help you have a safe and successful hunt. I will be back!"

Rick Robertson, MO 816-224-0569 "The prospective hunter should be in shape! I was in horrible condition and close to wanting to quit, but my guide Todd, encoraged me to stick it out. Therefore, I felt ecstatic, proud and euphoric the morning I took a bull."

Ken DeVries, TX 830-931-6305 "Take Johnny's advice and get in shape. When you spot that big bull up to a mile away as the crow flies, you need to be able to get to him. Plus, the better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the hunt. Practice your shooting from field positions. There are not any bench rests out there. I took my bull at over 380 yards, with the bull several hundred feet below us. My guide Jerry did a great job! He was very knowledgeable and got me a great bull."

David Redding, IN 812-988-2289 "Elite Outfitters runs a top-notch, professional hunt and camp. Elite has all your needs covered and all you have to do is hunt for your elk and enjoy the fellowship. Beautiful country and great guides!"

Michael Mertz, TX 325-853-2811 "If quality is what you're after, this is your hunt. Great genetics! Must be in shape for a mountain hunt. First-class camp and the guides are great guys with years of experience in elk hunting. A five-star hunt!"

Bruce Parry, OH 440-289-9304 "A great hunt. Really practice the long (300+ yards) shots. The average spotting distance averaged well over 500 yards."

John Wehner, VT 802-257-5709 "Plan to arrive in the best physical shape that you can possibly be in. If you are willing to work for it, and follow your guide's advice, the bull of a lifetime is very realistic."

John Haviland, MT 406-251-4400 "You want to get Kenny for a guide. Believe him when he tells you some great bulls are in the area and how to hunt them."

Pete Angle, MD 301-991-7440 "The Sacramento elk hunt with Elite Outfitters is what elk hunting is all about. From the moment you set off, you will be on an experience of a lifetime. Be prepared, mentally and physically, trust your guide and you might just leave with the bull of a lifetime, too."

Wayne van Zwoll, WA 509-686-9051 "Be in good physical shape, bring good boots and binoculars. You'll see lots of elk but may have to persevere for a mature bull. The area is gorgeous, the people hard-working, cheerful, companionable."

Kevin Howard, MO 573-898-5677 "The number and quality of the elk is amazing. I have hunted elk in other states but this was by far the best hunt I have had. Beautiful country. A great experience"

Todd Smith, NY restricted # "I have had the good fortune to have hunted in a lot of places, but few can compare to the quality hunting Elite provides. Everything from the quality of animals, to the guides, to the meals, to the accommodations, was really first class."

Chris Voita, FL 407-568-6072 "The hunt with Elite was everything I had hoped for. It took three years to draw a tag, but it was definitely worth the wait. I'll be back!"

Troy Anderson, IA 515-848-3533 "The deciding factor as to the success/failure of your hunt rests solely on your physical condition and shooting ability. The guides will do their part if you do."

Pat O'Neil, TX 830-669-2753 "This hunt is physically demanding, but not any worse than other mountain wilderness areas. The hunt offers superior game and outstanding guide service."

Bobby Stanley, IA 515-287-6835 "Be prepared to hunt. Have total confidence in your guide and he will show you a good hunt. They have good bull elk numbers and will do their very best to get you into a quality shot."

Dean Traut, WI 608-742-2499 "My son and I had a very good experience hunting elk with Elite Outfitters. Six out of six hunters in our camp killed bulls in some very windy hunting conditions. Everyone at Elite worked hard to make sure you were pleased with all aspects of the hunt. Get in good shape and book a hunt with Elite."

Ryan Traut, WI 715-845-2450 "A truly rugged and rewarding hunt. The way hunting is meant to be. The quantity of bulls exceeded my expectations. I hope to return for a bow hunt."

Rich Von, CA 408-778-6564 "I have hunted with 5 other guide services for elk and Elite has been the best by far. The country is awesome, tons of great elk and the guides are as good as they get! Be prepared to walk and hunt hard."

Kale Flagg, NV 775-849-7800 "My business partner and I average 2 to 3 guided hunts per year. We hire professionals to increase the quality of game we see, which is not taking away from the fact that it’s still our hunt. We don’t want guides to hunt for us or shoot for us, simply to put us in the best spot using their skills and knowledge as a guide. Elite has the best hunt we’ve ever been on for a real hunt where the guide is a guide, not a baby sitter."

John Surenda, PA 724-774-3776 "Excellent hunt. Knowledgeable local guides who know how to find the bulls. This area truly has trophy potential if your body can take the terrain and altitude. I really enjoyed my hunt, although short since I killed a nice 5x6 bull the first day. I will be back and better prepared for the difficult environment."

Craig Wood, TX 936-632-3993 "This is the hunt you’re looking for if you want the chance at a good bull, but you have to really want to earn it. A good price for a good hunt."

Doug Russell, TX 936-632-4888 "When you think you’re in shape, start training. I had a great time. This was my second hunt in this camp and I would love to get drawn for a third time."

Vince Treadwell, TX 936-639-5185 "If you’ll show up prepared to work hard, you’ll have a great hunt. I had a great time on both hunts I have been on with Elite."