Santa Fe National Forest Elk Hunts

H&A Outfitters, Inc. has been conducting fully guided trophy hunts across New Mexico's premier public lands for over three decades. Owner and outfitter Andrew Salgado leads a professional guide team licensed through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, permitted by the USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, and holds an A+ rating with the New Mexico Better Business Bureau.

H&A operates across New Mexico's most productive game management units:

Southwest New Mexico (Catron County) - Gila/Apache National Forest (6th largest in U.S., 3.3 million acres) - Units 15, 16A, 16C, 16D, 16E, and 23 - Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young, and SCI record books feature bulls from these units

North Central New Mexico - Santa Fe National Forest (Units 5B, 6A, 6C, 6B) - Valles Caldera National Hunting Preserve (89,000 acres, limited access) - Carson National Forest and Valle Vidal (100,000 acres, one of North America's top elk destinations) - Cibola National Forest (Units 13, 17 - primitive weapon units only)

Elevations range from 6,500 to 9,500 feet across these areas.

Rifle Elk Hunts - October through December - 85% average harvest success, 100% shooting opportunity - Covers rut activity (October) and bachelor group movement (November-December) - Spot-and-stalk methods at 200-400 yard average shots - $7,450 per hunter, 5-day hunt with 2-on-1 guide service - Solo hunters charged for 1-on-1 guide service

Archery Elk Hunts - September (peak rut) - 90-100% annual shot opportunity at 40 yards and under - September dates: Sept. 2-6, Sept. 9-13, Sept. 15-19, Sept. 20-24 - Multiple methods: spot-and-stalk, calling screaming bulls, ground blinds over water/wallows - $7,450 per hunter, 5-day hunt with 2-on-1 guide service

Muzzleloader Elk Hunts - Late rut season - Hunts feature calling in rutting bulls within archery range - Combines elements of rut activity with cooler-season conditions

Youth Elk Hunts - All methods - Rifle, archery, and muzzleloader options at discounted rates

Beyond elk, H&A guides hunts for: - Mule deer - Pronghorn antelope - Rocky Mountain and Desert bighorn sheep - Mountain lion - Black bear - New Mexico exotics

For hunters who don't draw state licenses, H&A offers unit-wide landowner permits. These vouchers enable hunting on both private and public lands within the game management unit. Limited availability; prices start at $8,000 and vary by unit and trophy quality.

H&A Outfitters handles New Mexico elk license applications through the outfitters draw pool, which significantly increases draw odds compared to individual applications. The application service covers: - Full-service applications (H&A applies on your behalf) - Do-it-yourself application support - Draw notifications and hunt coordination

Hunters can text "nmbiggame" to 72797 for updates on draws, hunts, and landowner tags.

Standard Hunt Rate: $7,450 (5-day hunts)

Includes: - Guide service - Lodging at camp - Meals - Transportation during hunt - Field care of trophy - 3% Forest Service tax - 3% BLM tax - State tax

Does NOT include: State hunting license fees

Deposit to book: $500 (online payment available)

• •Member of New Mexico Council of Outfitters and Guides (NMCOG)
• •Licensed and insured full-time outfitter
• •Professional guides with proven track records
• •Hundreds of client references (successful and unsuccessful hunts documented)
• •Both accessible reference lists and photo galleries available
• •Equal opportunity provider
• •Customizable hunts designed around client needs, not outfitter preferences

"Why hunt with the rest when you can hunt with the best." - Andrew Salgado, Owner/Outfitter