Elk Hunting – New Mexico
Going on an elk hunt can be one of your greatest activities and accomplishments in your life. If not planned out carefully, it can become one of your worst experiences. There are many ways to hunt a New Mexico elk. A hunter can choose an array of different weapons to harvest their dream animal. Many hunters use bow and arrow, while some like black powder, for others a rifle offers the most assuring method of hunting elk. Having a weapon that you are comfortable with and that is finely tuned is critical to a successful hunt. Some hunters try and get away with using the same rifle for all their big game needs. Let me tell you, anyone who has hunted an elk can vouch that all big game were not created equal. Having a higher caliber rifle for your elk hunt in New Mexico can help you be more productive.
There are many benefits that can come from having a higher caliber rifle. Yes a skilled hunter could probably shoot an elk with even a .22 caliber, but it is not as secure and forgiving as some of the higher caliber rifles. Most of us are not perfect shots and need all the help we can get. Some of the more popular caliber elk hunting rifles are: .300 mag, .308, .30-06, 7mm, and .270. Of course there are many other models that qualify as big game shooters, but these are some of the tried and true models.
Some prefer the added challenge that a bow and arrow brings to a hunt. There is nothing like being 15 yards away from a 1000 plus pound animal. Hunting elk with a bow is much harder than hunting with any rifle. A very skilled archer would need to be within 60 yards of an elk to shoot. A less skilled shooter would need to be much closer than that.
Black Powder rifles offer another alternative in your weapon arsenal. Hunts with black powder can be a little easier than bow and arrow. You must be a good shot to hunt with black powder. You only have one shot at a time. Hunters must reload between every shot. Many black powder rifles are open sight as well. Meaning they do not have a scope on them, some of the newer models do come equipped with scopes.
A major reminder, there is no single weapon that every hunter should use, or that promises the trophy elk. Remember finding a weapon that you are comfortable with, that you know how it shoots is far more important than having a weapon listed above. You must also put some valuable practice time in at the range or gun club before each hunt to maximize your performance. Do not worry about keeping up with the “”Jones”” do it your way, the way you know how and then share your experiences.