New Mexico Hunts
SSO arranges hunts
with three high-quality New Mexico outfitters. New
Mexico is a very game rich state and produces many
trophy-class animals. Outfitter #1
specializes in trophy elk and
mule deer hunts,
Outfitter #2 specializes in
black bear hound hunts, and
Outfitter #3 specializes in spring
Merriams turkey hunts.
A 300-class New
Mexico bull
New Mexico Outfitter
#1
From the Outfitter
"I have been guiding
hunters in New Mexico since 1988. We are a hands-on
outfitter and I am personally on every hunt. I have
hunted over most of the United States, from Maine to
Idaho, Colorado and of course New Mexico. The area we
outfit in is a game rich area with elk, deer, bear,
mountain lion, and Merriams turkey. We are proud of the
number of repeat hunters who hunt with us year after
year. Some of my guides have been with us ten years and
are very good, knowledgeable guides. I am a bowhunter
and have taken record book animals with the bow so I
know what it takes for a bowhunter to be successful.
Several big name hunters have hunted with us before and
TV shows have been filmed and produced by Hunting Lease
Magazine and Trophy Quest Outdoors demonstrating the
excellent hunting our area offers."
A huge archery kill bull.
A nice rifle kill buck.
Trophy Elk Hunts
We offer elk hunts
for bowhunters, muzzleloaders & rifle hunters. Our
bowhunts during the rut are the most exciting and
action-packed hunt we offer. My guides and I are all
experienced bowhunters and know how to get our hunters
on the big bulls. Muzzleloader and rifle elk hunts are
in early October with the bulls still bugling. Our elk
hunts are some of the best in the country. Last
hunting season one of our guests harvested a bull elk
with a muzzleloader that scored 363.
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A 363" muzzleloader bull.
A big 6-point archery bull.
Location, Terrain,
and Trophy Quality
Our elk hunts are on
a limited draw basis in the Lincoln National Forest in
south central New Mexico. This is home to some real
trophy bulls. We take 6X6 and larger bulls every
year.The hunting area is located adjacent to the
Mescalero Indian Reservation which holds some huge elk
that also wonder over to the national forest. There are
an estimated 2,500 elk in our unit and the bull to cow
ratio is a very high 55 bulls per 100 cows,
leading to many trophy bulls.
A nice 6-point archery bull.
A nice 2005 5-point bull.
We hunt mountainous
terrain and the elevation ranges from 6500 to 9800 feet.
Foliage consists of a mixture of Ponderosa Pine trees,
aspen trees, cedars, and pinion/juniper.
Food and Lodging
Hunters will stay at
a deluxe lodge and all food and accommodations are
included in the hunt price. Waterfall Lodge sits on 5
acres six miles outside of Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The
Lodge is an approximately 6000 square feet, 8 bedroom
facility. Six of the eight rooms are available to our
guests with our guest capacity totaling 33 people. The
lodge is constructed almost entirely of red brick with
knotty pine finishing throughout. Inside, there are two
separate dens, a game room, and a large kitchen where we
serve breakfasts to our B&B guests each morning. On the
outside, the lodge is surrounded by covered brick
walkways and, on one side, redwood decking leads to two
small docks that overlook our spring-fed trout ponds.
Toward the rear of the property, scenic hiking trails
lead into Lincoln National Forest, and to the front,
picturesque waterfalls cascade down the valley into
three crystal-clear pools below.
Waterfall Lodge
Waterfall Lodge
Licensing and
Drawing Statistics
All licenses are
issued on a limited draw basis. Below are the average
drawing statistics for the different seasons (based on
2003 statistics). The statistics are based on applying
for an outfitter-sponsored license which normally have a
much higher chance of drawing than unsponsored
applications.
|
Season |
License Cost (high demand
unit)
|
Avg. Chance of Drawing
(based on 2003)
|
|
Archery |
$766
|
35%
|
|
Muzzleloader |
$766
|
31%
|
|
Rifle |
$766
|
17.8%
|
The application deadline is
normally around April 9.
Success Rates
For archery hunts, the shooting
percentage averages 75% and the harvest success rate
(bull only) averages around 45%. But last year our
hunters had 100% shooting.
The rifle hunts usually run around
100% success.
Seasons, Prices, and
Hunt Length
|
Archery Season |
Price
|
Hunt Length
|
Hunting Method
|
|
September 1-6 |
$3,000
|
6 days
|
Mostly waterhole & wallow
hunting, some stalking |
|
September 8-13 |
$3,000
|
6 days
|
Pre-rut to rut hunting
(calling) |
|
September 15-20 |
$3,000
|
6 days
|
Rut hunting (calling) |
|
Muzzleloader Season (~Oct. 1-5) |
$3,000
|
5 days
|
Rut hunting (calling, still
hunting) |
|
Rifle
Season (~Oct. 8 -12) |
$3,000
|
5 days
|
Rut and post rut hunting
(calling, still hunting) |
Prices do not include license
fees, 5% state tax or gratuities. Guided hunts are 2 on
1 hunter to guide ratio and 1 on 1 is $500 additional.
Hunt Deposit
Because the odds of
drawing a license are relatively low, the outfitter does
not require any deposit until the hunter has drawn a
license. But you will want to make sure you sign a
contract with the outfitter ahead of time to be able to
apply for the outfitter-sponsored licenses. When you do
draw your license, a 50% non-refundable deposit is
required.
Trophy Mule Deer Hunts
Mule deer are hunted
on private ranches. Our outfitter leases over 15,000
acres in Southeast, New Mexico. It has taken him many
years to put together the quality private land hunts he
now offers. He offers mule deer hunts for the bowhunter,
rifle hunter and muzzleloader. The archery season is a
late-season hunt running from January 1-15. All
deer licenses are available over the counter. This
private-land deer hunt is priced at an incredible
price of $2000.
A nice mule deer buck.
Another nice buck.
Location, Terrain,
and Trophy Quality
Elevations in our
hunt areas range from 6500 to more than 9000 feet, with
the terrain being rugged so it is helpful to be in good
physical condition. The terrain consists of cedar trees,
pinion and juniper trees, and canyons. We take bucks 25"
and larger every year and mule deer bucks generally
range from 140" to 190".
Late Season Archery
Deer Hunts
The late archery
season in this area of New Mexico runs from January 1 -
15 which is a great time to hunt because the deer are
usually still rutting and there is not much else to hunt
this time of year. Hunting is generally conducted by
sitting waterholes, blinds along trails, and spot and
stalking. There is a good number of deer on the ranch
and it would not be uncommon to see 25 bucks per day.
Muzzleloader Deer
Hunts
Deer muzzleloading
season runs from October 21 - 25 and this is a great way
to harvest a nice buck.
Rifle Deer Hunts
Deer rifle hunts
generally run from about October 29 - November 2 &
November 12 - 16.
Food and Lodging
Food and lodging is
included in the price of the hunt and you will stay at a
ranch house located on the hunting ranch.
Licensing
Deer licenses can be
purchased over the counter after you arrive and the cost
of the license is $310 (high demand unit).
Seasons, Prices, and
Hunt Length
|
Hunting Method |
Season
|
Price
|
Hunt Length
|
Hunting Method
|
|
Archery Season |
January 1 - 15
|
$2,000
|
6 days
|
Water holes, blinds on
trails, spotting and stalking |
|
Muzzleloader Season |
October 21 - 25
|
$2,000
|
5 days
|
Sitting, spot and stalking |
|
Rifle
Season |
Oct. 29 - Nov. 2 & Nov.
12 - 16
|
$2,000
|
5 days
|
Sitting, spot and stalking |
Prices do not include license
fees, 5% state tax or gratuities. Guided hunts are 2 on
1 hunter to guide ratio and 1 on 1 is $500 additional.
Hunt Deposit
A 50% non-refundable
deposit is required to reserve your spot.
New Mexico Outfitter
#2
Fall
Black Bear Hound Hunts
Our outfitter specializes in fall bear hunting using
hounds. Specifically, you can find him near Elephant
Butte, south of Albuquerque. If you want real excitement
in your hunting trips you’ve come to the right place.
The thrill of watching the hounds striking and trailing
and listening to a pack of hounds with voices open in
full cry is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Hunting bear with hounds is a action packed adventure to
say the least! Don't miss out on this exciting but very
reasonably priced hunt.
A hound dog treeing
A nice chocolate bear treed
Location, Terrain,
and Success Rates
Our outfitter hunts
the Gila National Forest in southwest New Mexico, where
the country ranges from desert hill country to timbered
mountain ranges up to 11,000 feet in elevation. The
country is rough and broken and often very steep. The
hunter will want to be in the best shape possible.
Hunting methods include rigging (driving jeep roads
while having a "strike dog" leashed to the top of the
dog box) and driving roads looking for fresh tracks in
the snow or sand. Once a fresh track is found, the dogs
are released and the chase is on!
Our outfitter
generally trees at least one bear on each hunt
(~100%) and usually more than one which helps in taking
home a good quality bear, not just the first bear treed
or brought to bay. The bear tend to be 90% plus color
phase with very few being black. The average size
bear is between 200-230 pounds and the largest taken so
far was a 315, 19-1/2" gorgeous chocolate colored bear.
Another nice bear treed
A successful and happy
bowhunter with a cinnamon bear
Food and Lodging
Food and lodging are included in
the price of the hunt and will generally consist of
staying at the local motels and eating at the
restaurants. Free airport pickup from either the
Albuquerque or Las Cruces Airports is included. Basic
trophy care is included.
Licenses
A New Mexico
non-resident black bear hunting license is $160.00 plus
$6.00 Habitat Stamp. The hunting license is not included
in the hunt price and must be purchased two days before
hunting.
Seasons, Price, and
Hunt Length - $2000
The hunt price is
$2,000 for 6 full days of hunting
The season runs from
August 16 through 31 (pretty hot) and from about
September 26 through November 30. October is probably
the most productive month to hunt.
Hunt Deposit
A 50% non-refundable
deposit is required to reserve your spot.
New Mexico Outfitter
#3
Spring Merriams Turkey Hunts
New
Mexico has some of the best hunting in the country for
Merriams turkeys. The Merriam turkey is a plentiful
species that is offered at our New Mexico lodge. This
beautifully scenic landscape mixed with the awesome
allure of the spring wild turkey will ensure that this
hunt will create lasting memories for any hunter who is
in search of adding the Merriam to their bag of wild
turkey harvests. And to make matters better, the
limit on turkeys is two toms!
About Our Outfitter
Our well-known
outfitter is a 22-year veteran of the outfitting
business. If your success depends on the experience of
your guide, rest assured you're in good hands with him.
Having taken trophy animals in almost every big game
category, he will use his experience as a big game
hunter to help insure your success on every hunt.
Testimonial
The turkey hunting is
so good on this private ranch that normally all of our
outfitter's turkey hunts are booked up by Mossy Oak.
This well-known camo company can hunt anywhere it wants
and demands the best hunting available. Fortunately,
this year there are limited number of openings to
private hunters. Don't miss out on this fantastic
opportunity to harvest your Merriams turkey!
Location, Property
Size, and Terrain
"Welcome to the Land
of Enchantment", New Mexico! This 160,000 acre prime
ranch is located in NE New Mexico just outside of
Raton. This area of New Mexico has some of the largest
and best hunting ranches in the West. There are resident
herds of elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, mountain
lion and an abundance of Merriams turkeys.
The terrain of the ranch varies greatly. Elevation at
headquarters is 6,500 ft and the beginning of the high
plains which run south and east for miles. To the north
and west the ranch gains in elevations and the
topography changes into mountain country. Ponderosa
Pines, Oak Brush and Mountain Mahogany provide the
habitat to produce the trophy you are looking for. At
the top of the ranch is a mesa reaching an elevation of
9,500 ft. A variety of habitat is what makes the ranch
a special place, with a variety of big game to choose
from.
Food and Lodging
You will stay and dine at a deluxe lodge located on the
ranch. The facilities at the ranch consist of a modern
camp house with 8 private bedrooms, showers, etc. making
it perfect for couples or groups of hunters. Lodging is
deluxe and the food excellent. Clients that need to fly
in to the area have 3 commercial airports within a 3 to
4-hour drive of the ranch, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque
and Amarillo. Any private planes or jets may land at
the Raton Municipal Airport.
The Lodge
The den at the Lodge
Licenses and Limit
Turkey licenses are
available "over the counter" and the limit is two toms.
Hunt Length and Cost
- $1500 (2 toms)
The
hunt is 3 full days and the cost for a fully guided hunt
is $1500. Self guided hunts may also be available for a
reduced fee.
Hunt Deposit
A 50% non-refundable
deposit is required to reserve your spot.
