Have we made any plans or dates for the next PM Hunt?

Need to start thinking about it so I can mark my time off!!!!!

We should be announcing dates within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks

Good deal thanks Barry!!!!!!!!!

cool!!!

January, Las Cruces again.

What's the word on a survey of attendees of this year's hunt to determine what hunters liked, disliked, or were indifferent towards? I recall that was mentioned a time or two at the hunt in January. I think the membership could provide some good information to the hunt director(s) that woudl be very beneficial in planning next year's shindig.

I'm on the edge of my seat to say the least!

If someone has some idea's, we'd love to hear them.. This hunt is about our membership getting together and enjoying themselves.

Let's hear 'em!

I am looking forward to going again. The wife wants to go this time.

I'm in. Loved Las Cruces. Besides, now we don't have to spend time finding where to hunt. We already know.

Mark,

Bring your hot rod GPS and save me a seat. LOL!

Rudy

what I'd like -and don't know how to do- is to come up with a way to connect newbies with experienced hunters.

3 days, even the whole week, is just so short a time, who we get to get out with is limited. But for inexperienced people in particular I think it would be greatly beneficial if they can get out with someone who has some experience & doesn't mind showing them what they're doing & why.

I'm working on that gameplan...

I agree that that needs to be instituted.
Any ideas about the execution?

Perhaps if we set aside one day at the hunt for specifically doing that very thing. I would suggest early in the hunt so that what is learned can be practiced in the field & we can see the success & results of having experienced callers go out with greener hunters.

I know i am ready to hear some dates so i can tell work i going on vacation,dog died, brother having a baby are some kind of lie so i can make it this year.

as to how, dunno. I'm thinking that we need to work more in this forum prior to the hunt to get people to offer to take others out as well as for others to put their names in as wanting help.

I know I always learn when I go with someone who has more experience than I do, but I also want to find someone that doesn't have much experience & bring them along too. I don't mind doing 3 man setups.

If we just get a list of guys with experience, and make another list of guys who feel they don't have as much experiance, and then simply draw names and merry them up, and make a list of who will be hunting with who.

I also think that this will make it a much more enjoyable experiance for the newer members who are trying to learn the right way to do things.

Jeff, I think that is a great idea..

That sounds like a good plan Jeff. It will make it a little less frustrating for the guys that are new to this and only have a little knowledge. For instance where to set up, how long to call for, what to do if you call one in, do wait to shoot or shoot right away. That was my problem last year so maybe that will help someone else out this year. I'll see you guys there again this year hopefully.

Transportation is another issue to factor in.

A lot people fly in and have no wheels, and if they have a rental, can't give it a 'pin stripe' treatment. Or they don't have a 4 wheel drive.

Rudy

Have a raffle!!!!

Yes, but this year YOU have to be present to win!

In years past I remember seeing categories for "guide" (knows the area, the critters, and/or what do) and "needs a guide" (hasn't called, didn't bring a gun, has no car, etc.). You could assign (randomly or not) those that need a guide to those that don't. For instance, I know the area, have a truck, and know how to make some noise come out of a call, hence I could be considered a "guide." I'd like to spend a day or two hunting with buddies made at the last hunt, but will happily free up a day or two to take out newbies, those without wheels, those without guns, etc. (or add them as a third hunter).

Jeff's drawing idea would probably work just fine for this. You could also post the lists in advance and let guys hook up in cyberspace prior to the hunt. That might avoid some issues. I'm sure there are at least a couple guys on here that would sit at the hotel before hunting with me, and you'd want to avoid randomly pairing us if possible.

I need solid dates, asap. If it's going to be in LasCruces again, then I'd suggest and earlier date than Jan. I believe the areas are crawling with predators, but they've been hammered hard, by time January roles around. Alot of contest guys head to that corner to cash in.

If yall need help with planning or executing the hunter pairings, let me know. I'd be glad to help out.

Tony

I look forward to hunting with you again. We did find a good spot and no other people.

Yeppers. In late October and November you can be very successful down here (I remember one Thanksgiving morning when my brother-in-law and I called in 8 and killed 7 before 1 pm). But as you say, by January they've been hit pretty hard. Of course, lots of folks have a hard time giving up their big game seasons earlier in the year to hunt coyotes. I know that's been a problem in the past, and the main reason that the hunt organizers have selected January or even February for the PM Hunt. If I had to choose between my Wyoming antelope/deer hunt and the PM Hunt, I'd have to ditch you fellas and head north. I'd rather eat an antelope than a nasty ol' coyote!

On a personal scheduling note, I'd prefer early novemeber. problem is Barry says we'll be in conflict with & over run by deer hunters then.

Which makes late october look better for the hunting, if not as good for me personally. I can make it then, but it's gonna cost me in things that I normally do here at that time.

.

I'd like to ask a question, but keep in mind I'm a 'back homer' from east of the Big Muddy.

If moving the date up conflicts with deer season/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years, would there be a problem moving it out? Say, February or March maybe? Not sure about other hunting seasons or the weather out there, but I had a thought. Lucid thoughts are few and far apart these days.

Rudy

Rudy, as Desert Ram said, the coyotes on public land are not too reeceptive to coming in at that late season timeframe.

We're still kicking things around, but my preference leans toward earlier for more coyotes.
I like the drawing idea too. That could be fun & interesting in itself.

the more I think about it, the more I like october

I agree with Stu about October....The thought of making reservations and then having to cancel due to a snow storm locking up the mountains is my biggest worry...Plus that would, maybe, put us in there before the local Coyote Contests educate them all..

Since the elevations screw up my blood pressure for the first couple of days, I would happily volunteer to be a "Greeter" at the main motel lobby with some handouts for those coming in..I have a specialist working on my meds, so hopefully that won't be such a problem this year..

We sure could use someone to greet the members as they arrive and give them an overview of the area and activities.

That would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

Only one problem I see with October through Mid November, its going to conflict with allot of big game hunts.. The turn out might not be near as good as a Jan hunt.. I think most of the big game hunts are Sept, Oct and Nov..
I would rather hunt a coyote than a stinky old deer any day, so it would really wouldn't matter to me..
Also, there are folks that have already burnt up a week of vacation on one hunt this year and possibly their vacation wont reset till Jan?? Just food for thought..

Plus, with the holidays coming, money might be tight. Kids and Christmas, deer and big game seasons, would take a high priority for many.

After the first of the year it's tax return time and many vacation calendars are reset. LOL!

Rudy

I know from my stand point , i am like TT i would like to know Dates asap just to plan for the trip.I will be driving and if anyone needs extra guns are to catch a ride they are more then welcome to. I have a Elk hunt planned for my hitch off in Nov. so that month will leave me out , but any other time if i am off i will be there and if i can help out are do anything just let me know. Thanks

I am not real picky except during my elk hunts which are early Oct and then during Nov. I would like to know what the date is like the others so I could make plans.

I know when is a very important fact. I'm still wondering WHERE!! Los Cruces?

A little member profile might be in order too.

Some guys are chomping at the bit to get out and be hunting at the crack of dawn and getting in as many stands as possible before dark.

Others are content to drag out, get a big breakfast made a few stands, head in for lunch and then maybe get a stand or too before supper.

If you "marry" one of each of these types, they might be info for a miserable hunt.

Nothing wrong with either of these styles, but not compatible at all. I tend to fall in the first category. If I come that far, I want to get in as many stands as possible. I can eat that evening or when I get home for that matter. I also tend to be a "stop the truck, run out and start calling, and move on to the next spot" type of hunter.

If I am always at the set up, or back at the truck waiting on the other guy, I'm impatient. On the other hand, the other guys is wondering what is that guys problem? Can't he slow down a little, my feet hurt?"

Another factor in pairing up hunters is health issues.. some of us (namely me) can't walk long distances and don't want to slow down others... I'm content to find a spot and spend an hour trying to call something in, while most are 10-15 minute stand types and like to move fast....

I know at the last Hunt, due to blood pressure problems caused by the increased elevation, I had to be pretty inactive for the first couple of days and didn't get out until almost time to leave... but fortunately the guys that I went with were okay with me hanging back while they went out a lot farther... I just had to keep track of their general locations..which they had communicated ahead of time..

It doesn't mean I didn't have a good time, I just don't want to be a bother to anyone else..I got to meet a lot of great people and see some of the local sights..

Good points.

Perhaps a board that has participants...Experienced on one side, inexperienced on the other, and let them pair up during a discussion hour event about that next days hunt.

That way, they can see expectations before leaving, and if a change needs to be made, it can be made then, before the hunt of the day?