Natural Resources - Wildlife
HUNTING
Turkey
Click on picture for turkey sound.
Few hunting experiences compare to the adrenaline-filled moment
when on a cool spring morning, a Merriam’s gobbler thunders
out a gobble and approaches in full strut display. The Merriam’s
subspecies, native to the Carson, is by far the most striking
of the four subspecies in North America. There is nothing more
appealing to the turkey hunter’s eye than the buff white
tipped fan of a Merriam’s gobbler matching with the snow-capped
Sangre de Cristos and the residual snow banks of spring.
Through several successful reintroductions and established native
populations, there is a sufficient population of Merriam’s
turkey to support spring hunting on the Carson National Forest.
Currently, spring turkey hunting seasons are available on an unlimited
over the counter license for unit 49 on the Camino Real Ranger
District, unit 51 on the El Rito, Canjilon, and Tres Piedras Ranger
Districts, unit 53 on the Questa Ranger District. Spring turkey
is also available in unit 2 on the Jicarilla Ranger District and
the Valle Vidal Unit 55 on a limited draw basis. No fall turkey
hunting is presently available on the Carson National Forest.
 Rocky
Mountain Bighorn Sheep
One of the most sought after big game species in North America
is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Typically, hunts for this
species occur at the highest elevations of the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains within two Wilderness Areas on the Carson National Forest.
These areas are some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth.
Through past restoration efforts, there is a healthy population
of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep to support very limited hunting
opportunities on the Carson National Forest. Currently, Bighorn
hunting seasons are available on units 44/45 within the Pecos
Wilderness Area on the Camino Real Ranger District and unit 53
within the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area on the Questa Ranger District.
All hunts for these spectacular sheep are so prestigious that
only a very limited number of permits are available on a draw
basis.
ELK
 Click
on picture For elk bugle.
One of the truly wild sounds heard on the Carson
National Forest today is the spine-tingling bugle of the bull
elk. Elk are probably the most popular big game hunted on the
Carson Nation Forest. Elk hunting on the Carson National Forest
can take place from the sub-alpine peaks of the Sangre de Cristos
to the lower elevation rolling pinon-juniper hills. Elk hunts
on the Carson National Forest are known far and wide as truly
incomparable, featuring magnificent animals and delivering great
hunting experiences.
Management of elk on the Carson goes back to the early 1900’s
when elk were first reintroduced into northern New Mexico. This
management is especially meaningful today when the Carson National
Forest boasts one of the largest elk herds in the state.
Elk hunting opportunities are abundant on all game management
units (2,5B,44/45,49,50,51,52,53, and 55) and districts on the
Carson. Early season primitive weapon (archery and muzzle-loader)
to late season rifle hunts are available to meet every elk hunter’s
needs and schedules. All hunts are administered by limited draw
basis by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
The jewel of elk hunting on the Carson National Forest is the
Valle Vidal Unit on the Questa Ranger District. This unit contains
one of the largest herds in New Mexico and offers a once in a
lifetime opportunity of harvesting a world-class trophy bull.
This once in a lifetime opportunity is available only through
a very limited draw basis.
Another area that is worth mention to provide a memorable hunting
experience on the Carson National Forest is unit 52 on the Tres
Piedras Ranger District. This area boasts an elk herd second to
none.
Mule Deer
Mule Deer are one of the most difficult and sought after big
game animals in North America. Mule Deer are very different in
their habits than elk, and finding a respectable representation
of the species requires a lot of hard work, time, and also a little
luck.
Like most of the western states, Mule Deer began to decline
in the late 80’s to early 90’s. As a result management
agencies began to manage deer herds in many different ways. In
some cases herds have begun to rebound. Here on the Carson National
Forest, current management practices such as a limited deer-entry
system or draw has allowed mule deer herds to slightly rebound
and stabilize.
Mule Deer hunting on the Carson is available in all game management
units. Limited quota deer-entry permits are available on a limited
draw basis for game management units: 2B, 5B, 44/45, 49, 50, 51,
52, and 53. Archery, muzzleloader, or rifle hunts for deer are
available on all the ranger districts and units on the Carson.
One of the most prestigious deer permits in the state of New
Mexico is the unit 2B deer-entry permit. This mule deer hunt is
located in Northwestern New Mexico on the Jicarilla Ranger District
of the Carson National Forest. This area over winters one of the
largest herds in the state and is adjacent to the world famous
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation which is known for producing
Boone and Crockett class mule deer. If you are lucky enough to
draw this deer entry permit and the winter snows drive the deer
from the Colorado high county, you just may harvest a trophy mule
deer of a lifetime
 Pronghorn
Commonly known as the tan and white ghost of the
prairie, stands at several hundred yards away the fleetest of
all North American animals, the pronghorn antelope. Known for
their keen eyesight and ability to leave hunters in the dust,
the pronghorn is a challenge for even the most seasoned hunter.
The Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico is known for
its trophy class pronghorn. Current hunt regulations allowing
only the use of muzzleloaders has allowed the pronghorn to grow
to full trophy potential. Pronghorn hunting on the Carson is quite
unique. Nowhere in the state offers the opportunity to hunt pronghorn
from the high prairies to the high elevation mountain meadows
surrounded by aspen.
Pronghorn hunting is available in game management unit 52 on
the Tres Piedras Ranger District. This popular hunt is obtained
by a limited draw. If you are lucky enough to draw this permit,
you are restricted to hunt with a muzzleloader. Trophy class pronghorn
with a muzzleloader and non-stop action may be the reason that
this hunt has gained popularity over the years. If you are willing
to test your skills on this high plains speedster, come to the
Carson and bring your track shoes
 Black
Bear
Click on picture for bear sound.
When most hunters talk about black bear hunting, the Carson
National Forest usually comes up in the conversation. The Carson
is among the most highly populated areas in the state, providing
quality trophies of massive size and color variety. Black Bear
vary in color from jet-black to blond, with cinnamon and brown
phases also being quite common.
Fall Black Bear hunting is allowed on all of the game management
units on the Carson. During this time of year bears become very
active in preparation for their winter hibernation. A majority
of bear will move down out of the higher country in search of
mast crops. This is a good time to be out in the Carson National
Forest bear woods either glassing the open country concentrating
on forage-laced hillsides or hunting with hounds.
Cougar
Click onpicture for cougar sound.
Although not as popular as other big game hunts, cougar hunting
is also available on the Carson National Forest. The State of
New Mexico and on the Carson, cougar zones have been established
to manage cougar populations. The Carson consists of zones A
(unit 2), B (units 5B, 50,51,), N (unit 52) and zone C (units
44/45, 49, 53, 55). Cougar season within these zones and units
is conducted from October 1st to March 31st, or until harvest
objectives have been met within each established zone. No cougar
hunting is allowed on the Valle Vidal Unit.
Usually cougar are found in areas that support resident or
wintering herds of mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. They are opportunistic
predators and readily feed on other big game animals. Wherever
you find a herd of deer you will find cougar close behind. This
species is also so unpredictable in its habits that one of the
only successful means of hunting on the Carson is with hounds
over a well-defined scent trail over snow cover.
 Small
Game
Many have experienced the drumming wing beats of a blue grouse
flushing from cover. This experience is heart stopping but also
very addicting to the soul. Young hunters have been introduced
to the sport by hunting small game and could testify to such addictions.
Abundant small game hunting opportunities exist throughout the
Carson National Forest. Blue Grouse, Banned-tailed Pigeon, Mourning
Dove, Grey Squirrel, and Tassel-eared Squirrel are among the most
popular small game hunted. Small game hunting on the Carson usually
means the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. This gives
the small game hunter an opportunity to witness the sheer beauty
of the fall’s changing colors.
For more information about Licensing and Regulations and more
information about hunting on the Carson National Forest, Contact
the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (www.wildlife.state.nm.us),
Main Office, PO Box 25112,Santa Fe, NM 87504 – Phone
(575) 827-7911
03/2003
COMPILED BY: Francisco E. Cortez, Wildlife
Biologist, (575) 768-8678, email: fcortez@fs.fed.us
|
