A Gem in Northern New Mexico

The middle of August signals the start of bear season in NM.  This year the season opener was on Friday August 16th.  Thursday the day before found the Gameface Addiction crew headed north to unit 45 to hunt bear with hounds.  We were hunting with Racks and Furs Outfitters from Holman NM.  Brothers Phillip and Ron Trujillo own and operate the outfitting service.

We arrived at the lodge located just North of Mora NM and were greeted by Ron and his wife Traci. After introductions we were treated to a tour of the lodge.   The lodge is a two story house that the brothers purchased and remodeled to cater to their clients.  The first floor has two dinning rooms, a nice spacious kitchen, two living rooms and a full bar in the game room.  The upper floor hosts two large double rooms with two double beds, three single rooms and two restrooms.  The over four thousand square foot lodge can accommodate up to ten hunters at a time.

The décor of the lodge is very rustic, with lots of mounts throughout the house.  There are also Southwestern and Native American décor.  Most of the art work is from local artists including another of the Trujillo brothers.  There are many pieces of furniture that are hand crafted by the same Trujillo brother.  Below is the hand crafted liquor cabinet made from old barn wood.

Phillip Trujillo arrived later, he had been out scouting for bear and mountain lion for the morning hunt.  Along with Phillip we met Danny Alcon, the head hounds man for Racks and Furs Outfitters and Donovan Velasquez the head guide.  Danny and Donovan are both very professional and take great pride in doing their best to have a successful hunt for their clients.

After a great meal of fajitas and dessert we retired to one of the living rooms to visit and make a game plan for the morning hunt. Visiting with everyone was wonderful and the Trujillo family made us feel just like family.

Opening morning we arose at 4 am to be greeted in the kitchen by Phil who had coffee and breakfast burritos ready.  After a quick meal we loaded up and headed to the high country to meet Danny and a couple of other hounds men for our first hunt of the season.  Once the dogs were fitted with their tracking collars and loaded top of the rigging boxes we were headed out. 

The total number of dogs we had with us was 18.  Danny explained that when a mature bear is being ran that it would rather fight than tree.  He explained that a lot of the bears in this area had been pursued many times and by the time they are a mature animal they have learned that it is easier to put their back up against a tree and fight the dogs if there area only 4 or 5.  He explained that with more dogs the bear will climb a tree rather than fight lots of dogs. 

As we made a small caravan of three trucks with dogs and us in the Jeep up the mountain the dogs struck bear scent where one had crossed the road.  After the hounds men had looked at the track and observed the reaction of the dogs it was decided to mark this spot for reference and move on.  This occurred three more times with the same decision each time. 

After almost an hour of traveling up the mountain another track was crossed.  This time the track was a large one and two dogs were released.  The dogs worked the track for about ten minutes and then they struck a hot track. More dogs were released to join in the pursuit.  Standing on the side of a mountain looking down over a large canyon listening to the hounds below was a very exciting event.  As we listened to the chase move further down the mountain and away from us the hounds men watched the screens of the GPS tracking devices.  The sound of the dogs then started to grow louder as they reversed course and were headed back up the mountain.  The pitch and intensity of the baying changed and more hounds were released to join the chase.  The hounds could hear the chase below and when they were released they crashed through the brush down the mountain as fast as they could.  As we stood listening we could tell when the new recruits joined the fight.  About 5 minutes later the sound of the dogs changed again and the hounds men indicated that the bear was treed.

A guide was sent down to the tree to access the situation.  About 15 minutes later he called back on the radio and said the dogs had treed a real nice mature bear.  The decision was made to head down and see if this was a bear that we wanted to harvest. 

The tree the bear was located in was almost a mile down the mountain from where we were located.  We went down the side of that mountain at almost a dead run to get there as fast as we could.  Phillip was in the lead and John was following him as up followed up with the camera.  About half way down John fell and rolled head over heels down the mountain for about 10 yards.  He managed to escape injury but did untrack the string from his bow.  Luckily we had decided that we would also bring the 308 as back up.  The sound of the dogs baying growing louder as we approached definitely got the adrenaline flowing.

Upon arriving at the tree the sights and sounds of the bear in the tree the dogs jumping on the tree trying to climb up after the bear and the bays of the hounds was something that is as exciting an experience as I have ever had.

The bear was located about 30 feet up in a large pine tree.  He sat on a branch and just watched the dogs and us with great curiosity.  Once the dogs were gathered up and tied away from the base of the tree and I had the camera rolling the okay was given for John to shoot.

At the shot the bear jumped and let out a roar.  He then started to descend the tree on his own and the guides were telling John to shoot again fearing the bear would reach the ground and attack either the dogs or ourselves.  About half way down the tree the bear died and free fell to the ground.  Once the bear was on the ground and it was determined he would not rise the hounds were released again to allow them to actually rush the bear.  This is done as a reward for a job well done.  The entire chase from the time the first dogs were released until the bear was harvested was an hour. 

After all the congrats were given and the quick celebration of the a successful hunt the dogs were lead away back to the trucks.  We took the trophy photos and videos and then the work began.  Phillip and Danny made short work of skinning out the bear and preparing the hide to be packed out.  This was the hardest part of the entire hunt.  With the excitement and adrenaline we didn't realize just how steep the mountain was and how far we actually had to go to arrive back at the trucks.  After many stops to catch our breath and give our legs a break we finally made it back to the road.

Once back at the lodge we were greeted with a great lunch prepared by Ron and Traci consisting of homemade sub sandwiches.  We rested up a bit and then headed out to explore and hopefully find a mountain lion.

We spent the rest of the weekend with Racks and Furs Outfitters exploring the wonderful mountains and learning more about the area.  We were treated to wonderful meals every day, including home made tamales and enchilada for our meal on Saturday night.

Phillip and Ron run a first class operation.  Phil knows the area and the wildlife very well and has access to lots of public and private land to hunt everything from elk to prairie dogs.  You can stay in the lodge or if you would prefer a wilderness experience Racks and Furs can accommodate you.  Ron and Traci operate the lodging side of the business and are gracious hosts who provide a wonderful experience and meals that will keep you fueled for a long day of hunting. 

The lodge also is available for a Bed and Breakfast experience if you would like to get away for a few days.  The area is full of wonderful attractions and the history of the area is very diverse.

Hunting with Racks and Furs Outfitters will leave you feeling like you have just spent time with family.  They go out of their way to make sure your stay and experience is one of a kind and that you have the time of your life. 

For more information on Racks and Furs Outfitters or to book a hunt contact them through their website www.racksnfursbednbreakfast.com

The Thrill of The Hunt. More Than The Shot.

I watch a lot of hunting shows on TV. One thing I notice is that the majority seem to make the kill the highlight of the hunt.

I have a different opinion on what makes the highlight of the hunt.  Now I am as guilty as anyone getting caught up in the shot and kill when hunting, but I know that there is more to hunting than just killing an animal.

My dad taught me a very important lesson when I was 12.  This was my third year of deer hunting and having previously harvested deer on my first two hunts I thought that was the most important part of hunting.  That year I did not harvest a deer, not from lack of seeing them or missing, I never fired a shot, but things just never came together to be able to harvest one.  Sun down on the last day of the third rifle hunt came and I was just devastated.  I sat in the truck as we drove out of the ranch and to the highway and basically pouted.

My dad asked me why I was so sad and upset.  When I told him because I didn't kill a buck he smiled and asked me a question that changed my entire outlook on hunting.  "We had a great time together and had lots of fun didn't we?" 

As we talked about all the fun we had stalking and tracking deer, seeing different animals and just spending time together I began to understand the reason my dad got so excited about us hunting together.

Over the years there have been many times I did not harvest an animal but I have never had an unsuccessful hunt.  Every day spent out in pursuit of game animals I always see something that amazes me and have experiences that will leave lasting memories. 

I read a quote by Fred Bear one time and try live my hunting life that way. 

"A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be... time to commune with your inner soul as you share the outdoors with the birds, animals and fish that live there."

I have witnessed the savage power and beauty of two bull elk fighting, the miracle of a set of antelope twins being born and the death of prey animals at the jaws of a predator.  I have had the pleasure many times of watching someone kill their first animal and helped a great man harvest his last trophy that he knew would be the last. 

Over the years I have had many hunting partners, from my dad, brother, friends, sons and my daughter.  Hunting has always brought us all closer and forged bonds that cannot be broken.  The mounts hanging on my walls to me are reminders of the great times I have had and the people I have shared the time and experience with.


The title of this article;The thrill of the hunt, More than just the shot; is how I look at every hunting experience.

The start of a lifelong passion

Hello all,
My name is David Eldridge, I grew up hunting wildgame in the great state of NM.  I am writing this blog to give some insight into the great hunting opportunities in NM as well as to share some of my memories from my early years hunting to current season events and happenings.

I currently reside in Roswell NM and mainly hunt with archery equipment and spend lots of time calling predators.  I currently serve as a pro staff member for Gameface Addiction, a NM based hunting show.  I also serve on the local chapter committees for the Mule Deer Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation along with serving as chairman of the NM Predator Callers Association.  Along with the above I am currently starting Killshot Outdoors with two of my closest friends, this will be a full service archery shop and will host 3D archery tournaments.

Along with my own hunting adventures I get to accompany my daughter on her hunts.  In the past couple of years she has harvested mule deer, whitetail deer,  antelope and elk.  In upcoming blogs I will share about our adventures as well.

This first blog is about how I got my start as an avid hunter and conservationist. 

My dad loved to hunt and I think the only thing he loved more was having my younger brother and myself along.  He hunted deer and predators mainly as well as running a trap line.  I was so excited when I got my first trap at for my 7th birthday.  My dad let me set that trap in his line and thinking back on it he let me set it in one of his favorite spots for grey fox.  He kept every fox I caught that winter separate from his catches and let me sell them at the end of the season.  I don't remember how much I made but I took all that money and bought more traps.

In 1979 my dad enrolled me in hunters safety, at nine years old I was the youngest one in my class.  Back then the class was a lot different than what is taught today.  We met every night for a week and listened to the instructors and watched films on hunting and firearm safety.  On Friday night we had a written exam and if you passed with 70 percent or more you passed the class and were issued a little orange hunters safety card.  I was so excited when I passed, knowing I would soon be able to hunt myself.

My dad bought me a Savage model 99 .243 lever action rifle when I passed hunters safety.  It was love at first sight with that beautiful gun.  I spent many hours with my dad shooting that gun and reloading shells to make sure it was as accurate as we could get it.  I was so excited for deer season to arrive that I am sure I drove my dad a little crazy.

November finally arrived and opening day of deer season was finally upon us.  We hunted public land, mainly National Forest.  I was excited and nervous and could barley contain myself as we loaded up in the old blue Scout my dad used for hunting and headed out that morning.  As we made our way up the mountain it was still dark but I was trying my best to see a deer along the way.  Shortly after daylight we turned off the highway onto an old two track logging road.  My dad told me to watch my side of the road real good and to let him know if I saw a deer.  We had traveled what seemed like hours on this road, which was only about 15 minutes, when I spotted a deer on my side. 

We stopped and got out.  I was knelt down beside the truck when I heard my dad say that the deer on the right was a buck.  He told me to just hold my sight where I wanted to hit and squeeze the trigger.  To this day I can still see the sight pointing right behind the deer's shoulder as he stood in the aspen trees.  I held that sight there and squeezed the trigger just like we had practiced so many times.  At the shot I lost sight of the deer, he was just not there anymore. I worried I had missed and he had ran off, but the other three deer that were with him were still standing there.  My dad walked around the side of the vehicle and the look on his face was one I will never forget.  He had this huge smile on his face and his eyes were so full of pride. I of course was still trying to figure out where this deer went.  My dad grabbed me and hugged me and said lets go see your first deer.  I can remember telling him I thought I missed and him laughing and he said no you got him, he fell right there.

Walking up to that deer laying there on the ground was an experience and feeling I will never forget.  He was only a spike with about 5 inch antlers, but he was my trophy buck. I can remember looking at that beautiful animal and the emotions running through my young body, I was excited and sad at the same time.  I was elated to be able to harvest my first animal and the adrenaline was flowing like crazy but I was also saddened to know I had ended the life of this wonderful animal. 

My dad showed me that it was okay to feel both emotions and to also show respect for the animal by how we handled it afterwards.  Those two feelings are still present today whenever I harvest an animal.  I show my excitement a little more, but I also take time to pause and say a prayer for the animal and to give thanks for the opportunity to harvest an animal and provide food for my family and friends.

That day in 1979 started a passion that has lasted a lifetime. I have been fortunate enough to pass this same passion along to my children and have made some of the most amazing memories in my life through hunting and pursuing an outdoor lifestyle.