New Mexico Public Land Hunting Dates

[Hootin-N-Hammer]

So this year for our Public Land Hunt me and a buddy are heading to New Mexico to hunt the Lincoln National Forest. We know where we are staying, but we aren't very sure on when the birds tend to get hot in that area. I know these dang birds we chase through the woods are very unpredictable, but I'm just looking to get a good time frame to give us the best chance. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[GobbleNut]

To my knowledge, there are no "Black Hills" in New Mexico, but there is a range of mountains known as the "Black Range" in south-central NM which are part of the Gila NF.   The NM spring season runs from April 15 to May 10.  Any part of that time frame can be good,...or bad,...depending on whether you can find birds without competing hunters or that have not been hammered already.

[mufishgrad]

I've had birds henned up all season some years, and others with small male flocks early in the season and with the hens just in the morning. It probably depends on where you're hunting in the state too. I typically hunt the northern part of the state where the birds may be acting different from where Gobblenut hunts in the south. So I'm not sure which national forest or area of the state in specific you guys are hunting but the birds seem to be pretty nomadic everywhere I've gone after them. I've only hunted five seasons in New Mexico here, but work hard to get out as much as possible throughout the season to find and figure birds out. PM me on here and I'll try to get you headed in the right direction as best I can from my experience.

[Hootin-N-Hammer]

Whoops, thanks Gobble. Edited to show what I really meant to say.

[GobbleNut]

Whoops, thanks Gobble. Edited to show what I really meant to say.

Okay, based on the edit...avoid the first weekend of the hunt.  Other than that, the earlier you go, the better.  The easy birds get picked over pretty quickly at the start of the season and they get progressively harder to hunt as the season goes on.  This year, the hunt starts on a Monday, which will eliminate the "weekend warriors" and campers for the first few days,...which is a bonus.
Late season has far less competition, but it can be difficult to find a cooperative gobbler,...although they are there and can be killed if you allow enough time.