Most areas, according to Darrel Weybright of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, experienced a good calf crop last year.

Past years' raghorns should be developing into nice bulls, he said. The overall elk herd should be in top form.

North

Northern New Mexico has a large population of elk and offers several areas to take a mature bull.

Longtime guide Tom Quinn said that if you put forth the effort, your chances of taking a 300-class bull in the north are "real good."

Famous for its quality elk-hunting opportunities, Unit 4 near Chama will most likely produce a few big bulls in 2008. However, this unit is exclusively private land.

You'll need a guaranteed landowner tag or lots of money. If you could afford one, a landowner tag is a great way to avoid the luck of the draw, and enjoy some of the finest hunting with little pressure.

To the east lies Unit 52, which offers good public hunting opportunities on the Carson National Forest.

Probably the most coveted tag in the north is Unit 6B, or the Valle Vidal area. Unit 6B has one of the largest elk populations in the state and offers a genuine opportunity at a once-in-a-lifetime trophy bull.

Elk tags are dispersed using a special draw system. Most of Northern New Mexico experienced an abundance of snowfall this past winter, and this fall the herds should be in great shape.

West
Just the mention of the Gila conjures up visions of big bulls. As always, the units around the Gila National Forest produced some of the biggest bulls in 2007.

Unit 15, a primitive-only unit, has consistently produced large trophy bulls and will continue to do so in 2008. Trophy bulls also reside in Units 16A/D, where a wet winter should ensure quality habitat and plentiful big bulls.

To the north, units 12 and 13 offer quality elk-hunting opportunities, though they have lower overall elk densities. Still, a few big bulls will come from these lesser-known units in 2008.

Just recently, Unit 17 has popped onto the radar as well. This unit provides some rugged country where big bulls prosper throughout the year.

South
Earlier this year, the southern portion of the state received below-average precipitation.

However, the consensus among elk hunters, guides, and wildlife biologists is that elk are extremely adaptive and will find a way to overcome those harsh conditions.

Weybright, of the DGF, also noted that New Mexico doesn't face the extreme winter weather conditions that can winterkill the elk herds in the northern states.

Leading the way in the south is Unit 34, which should provide quality numbers of elk to hunt this fall.

Although the western elk units should lead the way in New Mexico this year, any tag holder should be happy with the opportunities that 2008 will offer this fall.