New Mexico Ibex

[RK808]

Got a few questions for anyone that's tried the Ibex hunt in the Florida Mountains.  Forgive my ignorance, as I live in the middle of the ocean and don't know a whole lot about it.  I'll be trying to put in for it next year.

Is it difficult for non-res to draw?  I've read the previous year stats and it doesn't seem too crazy on the odds for a non-res.  Am I mistaken?

The terrain looks ridiculous and I'm pretty sure I'm looking at odds highly against the bowhunter.  This is what I'm looking for.  However, just curious whether anyone got tips on what to expect or prepare for?  

I don't have snakes where we live ... but is snakes a consideration in that time of year around there?  

Is there a preference for one season over the other (Oct or Jan)?  

How is public access?  I got nothing to go on.  Literally rent a car and find adventure is my plan haha!

Of course any other experience anyone wants to share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[bigbadjon]

Bowhunting World had an article about this a few months ago. I believe it said public access is on a draw system and bowhunting only. I also want to say they draw 200 tags and success rate is between 2-4 a year. You might look up the article as my memory may be erroneous on exact details.

[stalkin4elk]

Tim Wells from the show RELENTLESS PURSUIT did a show awhile back on the TV. Some guy he filmed gave a valiant and grueling effort with a compound in Az or NM.
Try to search for it and I think you will learn lots.

[Tater]

Ryan,
   Try getting ahold of "Elk Whisperer" here on Trad Gang. I know Jeff lives in NM and has done the Ibex hunt more than once.
   It will be one of the most physically demanding hunts you can imagine!

  Good luck, Pat

[centaur]

Haven't hunted them, but I have hiked in the Floridas; they will get you breathing hard, and they are rocky and noisy. Getting an ibex in bow range would be quite the feat. I talked to a guy there once that was bowhunting them, and he had busted his butt (according to him) for several days, and had yet to see an ibex, let alone get in range of one. Should be a tough hunt, but a trad ibex would be a real trophy.
January can be surprisingly cool there, and a warm October could mean that Mr. No Shoulders could still be active. Lots of rattlers in that country.

[RK808]

Thanks "stalkin4elk."  I have corresponded with Zac Griffith (the hunter in the videos you speak of).  I've thought of Ibex in the past, but I'll admit, Zac's videos pushed me over the edge and now I have to do it.  I do some videos myself, but I haven't done a traditional one in a while.  If I draw, I will self-film what I can of the experience.

Thanks for the information.  Especially on the rattlers in October.  Imagine working your tail off for a chance and you're finally there with a rattler at your feet?  I guess that would be interesting!

Don't want to impose on anyone, just want to learn what I can being that I'm thousands of miles away.  Thanks!

[Duckbutt]

I've been fascinated by this hunt for several years.  My best friend's daughter drew a youth rifle tag this year and was unsuccessful.  My buddy said it was an awesome hunt and plans to apply himself.  Archery success is extremely low and may get worse since they are recently upping rifle tag allocations from what I hear.  Good luck.

[dhermon85]

My father in law hunted them last year. Said was hard hunt even with rifle. Closest he could get was 300 yards and missed one. Said he was amazed how they could pick him out  so fast. You'd almost have to lay in wait with a bow and hope.

[dhermon85]

Should've tried harder to go, he said it was a blast.

[stevem]

I've hunted them with a recurve, and again with a rifle.  First, the area has quite a few rattlesnakes, which should not be out in January.  The mountains are very steep, and about 3000 feet high.  But, many sheep are at mid-mountain.  My opinion is they are very spooky when a hunter is within 1/4 mile.  I think they are easy to see and find- I would guess I would see 25 to 50 a day. Public land access is good, but a rental car will get beat up.  I know of one bow hunter that took a nanny and another that has two billies- quite a feat in my book. You will have fun, and your legs will be dead at the end of the day. I don't think drawing one as a non-resident would be particularly hard.

[RK808]

Thanks!

I'm assuming most of the road access is all pretty tough off-road?

[ron w]

I got a question on this hunt.......when and how did the Ibex get established in the southwest. Did they escape from a fenced area or were they stocked for some reason?

[Matty]

Originally posted by ron w:
I got a question on this hunt.......when and how did the Ibex get established in the southwest. Did they escape from a fenced area or were they stocked for some reason?

Some of them came through Ellis island during the mid to late 1800's and then some of them just swam here and then walked and hitched rides....

Escaped from a fenced area.......sheesh...
   

[ron w]

Just curious.......

[stevem]

RK8- most roads are rough and have brush that will mark up the sides of your ride.  On the north end you can park at Spring Canyon (a paved road)- I parked there a year ago when hunting.

Back in about the '50's NM Game and Fish imported several species (Oryx, Barbary Sheep and Ibex).  I think Barbary Sheep also escaped from a high fence area near Roswell about the same time.

[RK808]

Stevem : Thanks that helps a lot!  Is the IBEX distributed throughout the whole range or more localized to where you were?  Are there other public parks of access?

[stevem]

I've was told by Game And Fish they are well distributed.  The Florida Mtns are pretty well hemmed in by BLM (public) land that is mostly un-improved.  I'm sure on the east side you could find a road that would not require that your vehicle be a beater.  But no, there are no other parks.

[Elk whisperer]

you will find the ibex everywhere on the mountain getting to them is a different story they post look outs . access is good on the whole mountain . they did have  aspecial rifle hunt to knock down the # a couple of years ago  if you can camp up on the mountain that's the way to go you need to haul water though .  give a call if needed-Jeff

[RK808]

Thanks gang!