I know it's not a sheep but I drew NM IBEX!

U

upslope 50

FNG
Joined
Aug 21, 2017
Messages
24
Location
Rio Rancho NM
I've seen some great results with the outfitter you mentioned. Not to throw shade on them or any other, but, this is not the kind of hunt you would need to shell out money for an outfitter. Should you kill one in a location that is hard to retrieve then I would have some contacts ahead of time for getting it off. I'm deathly afraid of heights and that made it rough but I got around just fine and was in ibex every day. Finding ibex is not hard. Judging ibex is not hard. Getting in bow range however, is. Some of your stalks could take all day in brutal sun with snakes around every corner. A good friend with a spotter at the bottom and a radio is just as good. These critters are unpredictable and outfitters will know the mountain but I've spent 15 days chasing them and several watching. I don't know that they ever do what you think they are going to do. Just when you think they are going to cross a saddle they go straight up/down a cliff. Need good warm weather gear, snake chaps, tough gloves, and try to build your arrow set up to be least wind resistant as possible. Practice shooting at extreme angles.
IMO this is the toughest hunt you can do with a bow in the lower 48. Success rates show that, whether or not there is an outfitter involved. You have the flexibility to take the time it deserves off work and you are in shape, you got this DIY!
 
Outwest

Outwest

WKR
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
444
Location
New Mexico
Congrats! That's a fun hunt for sure. I call it the bowhunters education seminar! I've only ever hunted with folks who have the January tag but have been around in October as well. The October hunt will give you a better shot at a mature billy since it is the first hunt of the year. The downside to Oct. is usually the heat so plan for water. The Floridas are pretty gnarly but can be hunted very safely if you do it wisely. Just like the barbary country mentioned above, it is all very manageable as long as you keep your head on straight.

If you are going with an outfitter, Derek at SPGS is a great guy and will get you where you need to be.

Good luck this fall!
 
OP
Tony Trietch

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
Staff member
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Jul 28, 2013
Messages
2,105
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Northern MI, USA
Outwest said:
Congrats! That's a fun hunt for sure. I call it the bowhunters education seminar! I've only ever hunted with folks who have the January tag but have been around in October as well. The October hunt will give you a better shot at a mature billy since it is the first hunt of the year. The downside to Oct. is usually the heat so plan for water. The Floridas are pretty gnarly but can be hunted very safely if you do it wisely. Just like the barbary country mentioned above, it is all very manageable as long as you keep your head on straight.

If you are going with an outfitter, Derek at SPGS is a great guy and will get you where you need to be.

Good luck this fall!
Click to expand...
Salmonchaser said:
Wow, going to be an adventure. Look forward to the story.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to this. Being an October hunt date, I will be in PRIME physical condition from living in a tent on mountains since August so I will be able to give it my personal 100%.
 
hunter4life

hunter4life

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
128
Location
New Mexico
Obviously you guys have watched too many Zac Griffith videos. The mountain is not that big. I took my 6 and 9 year old kids up to the top of Florida peak a few weeks ago as a day hike. There are plenty of snakes, but not anymore there than most other spots in Southern NM. There are huge cliffs that you cannot climb but you can work your way around most of them.
The NMDGF has been absolutely hammering them for the past 5 years. Numbers are way down from even 1 year ago. If people are giving you advice who have not been on the mountain in the past 6 months, then they have no idea of what the population looks like now.
I will echo the above statments, Derek at SPGS is a good choice for a guide.
 
OP
Tony Trietch

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
Staff member
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Messages
2,105
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Northern MI, USA
hunter4life said:
The NMDGF has been absolutely hammering them for the past 5 years. Numbers are way down from even 1 year ago. If people are giving you advice who have not been on the mountain in the past 6 months, then they have no idea of what the population looks like now.
I will echo the above statments, Derek at SPGS is a good choice for a guide.
Click to expand...

The NMDGF has been hammering the snakes or Ibex?
 
IChaseCoues

IChaseCoues

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
226
Location
SW MT
Congrats on drawing an awesome tag!
That mountain can eat a guys lunch for sure. I think I ran into some guys from South Peak then some from G3 in January and they seemed to know their stuff. That hunt is probably the only hunt you will ever run into a guy carrying a bow and another guy next to him with 3 hanks of ropes and a big daisy chain of climbing gear.
My best advice is practice as far as you can(100+ yds) , shoot angles up and down, and practice shooting in the wind. Don't hesitate to shoot anything over 30".
October is hot and the snakes are out but watch your step and take water and sunscreen and you'll be fine!
Oh and watch for Lions. There are plenty of them.
 

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OP
Tony Trietch

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
2,105
Location
Northern MI, USA
IChaseCoues said:
Congrats on drawing an awesome tag!
That mountain can eat a guys lunch for sure. I think I ran into some guys from South Peak then some from G3 in January and they seemed to know their stuff. That hunt is probably the only hunt you will ever run into a guy carrying a bow and another guy next to him with 3 hanks of ropes and a big daisy chain of climbing gear.
My best advice is practice as far as you can(100+ yds) , shoot angles up and down, and practice shooting in the wind. Don't hesitate to shoot anything over 30".
October is hot and the snakes are out but watch your step and take water and sunscreen and you'll be fine!
Oh and watch for Lions. There are plenty of them.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, I appreciate the advice.
 
OP
Tony Trietch

Tony Trietch

Part Time Bow Hiker
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
2,105
Location
Northern MI, USA
orionthehunter1

orionthehunter1

WKR
Joined
Mar 5, 2012
Messages
1,516
Location
SW Colorado
hunter4life said:
Obviously you guys have watched too many Zac Griffith videos. The mountain is not that big. I took my 6 and 9 year old kids up to the top of Florida peak a few weeks ago as a day hike. There are plenty of snakes, but not anymore there than most other spots in Southern NM. There are huge cliffs that you cannot climb but you can work your way around most of them.
The NMDGF has been absolutely hammering them for the past 5 years. Numbers are way down from even 1 year ago. If people are giving you advice who have not been on the mountain in the past 6 months, then they have no idea of what the population looks like now.
I will echo the above statments, Derek at SPGS is a good choice for a guide.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been saying plenty of guys and kids have killed ibex up there, but I guess since summitstrong can't do it, its impossible
 
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