NM GMU17 Youth Thanksgiving Deer hunt

[bbright]

Excited and nervous to see new country and hunt with my oldest boy. He's 10 yrs old and this will be his first hunt out west. Our DIY, backpack (if necessary) hunt will be over Thanksgiving. It was suggested by one that we stay south and near water. Will the deer still be in the hills or down in the sage flats that time of year? I don't care if we kill a big one. Just want this to be a fun experience that we can share together many more times in the future. If you have any suggestions on what we should expect from a deer density standpoint, deer patterns that time of year, etc, I would welcome your input.

Thanks.

[bbright]

Well, I have a few places to check out. Checked the forecast and Fri we are expecting 38 mph wind with gusts to 70 mph in the city. That can't be a good thing for the wind we'll see in the hills. That'll make for an interesting 1st hunt for my son.

[bbright]

Very pretty country but very steep. Couldn't find the deer in the low country so we tried a spike camp in the wilderness. We made it to our target but the sign still wasn't there. We needed another 600-1000' of elevation and my 10yo's legs couldn't make it happen. Goal was to keep it fun so we bailed off the mountain. Didn't get to tag out but he says he'll go again - mission accomplished.

[sjsmallfield]

That's what it's all about. Congrats.