My First New Mexico Elk: Destrukt 4 Smoked!

Hello all, I am Clint Schwach, the Marketing Director here at B3 Archery. As a proud Missourian and employee of B3 Archery, I’ve spent countless hours perfecting my bowhunting skills in the woods of the midwest, chasing whitetail and turkey. However, nothing could have prepared me for the heart-pounding thrill of my first elk hunt in New Mexico—a guided adventure with my friend Ralph Ramos that culminated in an unforgettable shot at last light, with a charging bull elk to 20 yards falling to my EXO Destrukt 4 broadhead. This is the story of that hunt, made for adventure seekers, archery enthusiasts, and anyone dreaming of going on their own elk hunt someday.

The Journey from Missouri to New Mexico

Growing up in Missouri, my hunting world revolved around flat fields and hardwood ridges chasing familiar game. Elk hunting in the rugged mountains of New Mexico was a dream I’d wanted to partake in for years after following around television shows with a video camera and chasing these critters, fueled by tales of bugling bulls and breathtaking landscapes. Working for B3 Archery, a leading manufacturer of archery equipment, I had access to top-tier gear, including the B3 Exo Destrukt 4 broadhead, a Rook index release and an Exact RiZe sight, which gave me confidence as I prepared for this bucket-list hunt.

I booked a guided hunt in New Mexico with my friends at Ramos Hunts & Video Production Outfitters, a well known guide in the industry and known for his calling techniques to get big bulls into bow range. My guide, a seasoned vet named Ralph Ramos, promised an authentic experience and lots of action. With my bow tuned to perfection, my B3 Archery equipment ready to rock I boarded a flight from Kansas City, my heart racing with anticipation.

Day One: Learning the Ropes

The first day in New Mexico was basically a crash course in elk hunting. The public lands steep ridges and pine-studded draws were a far cry from Kansas’s open prairies. Ralph promised me that if we could get to the top of the mountain first thing in the morning, the rest of the day would be easy, but ofcourse, the hardest part was going up at first light. We put a many miles on the boots, glassing meadows, throwing out challenge bugles and cow calls, even some rattling and listening for the faint telltale bugle of a bull elk.

That morning, we heard a handful of bugles: that deep, guttural bugle echoing through the canyon that kept me up for nights leading up to this hunt. It wasn’t just a sound; it was a one that sent shivers down my spine. Ralph grinned. “That’s a big boy,” he said. He responded with a bugle, mimicking a rival bull to pinpoint his location. The bull answered, his growling roar cutting through the dusk. My excitement was through the roof, ready for what lay ahead the next few days as the rut started to crank up. We were ready for broadside at any moment.

Days of Pursuit: The Elk’s Elusive Dance

Elk hunting is a game of patience and strategy. For the next few days, we chased many bugling bulls. Each morning, we’d climb to high vantage points, using signal bugles to locate bulls. Their responses were consistent, but they were just staying well out of bow range. Ralph’s expertise was invaluable—he knew when to push and when to back off, the terrain on where to move and where to go. We’d call, wait, and listen, the amount of bugles we were hearing was growing everyday as the rut was approaching. The tension was electric, and every snapped twig had my heart in my throat.

The Final Day: A Race Against Time

By the last day, my cameraman and I were exhausted but determined. This was my shot, and I wasn’t leaving New Mexico without giving it everything I had left in the tank. Ralph and I went to a spot close to the camp, up on a high mountain top and he threw out some bugles and cow calls. We heard some faint bugles but nothing that was really excited. We walked around this ridge that seemed miles long. The air was crisp, the sky streaked with the first hints of sunset and we heard him, he was bedded in a pine thicket and wasn’t moving around or out of his bed yet. We let out a series of cow calls, soft and seductive, using a diaphragm call that Ralph swore by. As he gained interest in the calls, we closed the distance.

After about a 20 minute hike to get closer into bow range, the bull responded immediately, his deep growl closer than ever as he was clearly out of his bed at this point. A nice 5×5 bull coming into plain sight, he thrashed a tree above us, Ralph hit the rattling antlers and he turned and starting coming at us like a train. As the bull was closing the distance, I couldnt get my B3 Archery Release clipped to my string because I was shaking with so much excitement and nervousness all at the same time. He marched through the trees all the way into 20 yards and let out his final bugle coming around the tree staring right at my cameraman and I. Minutes felt like hours, the light fading fast, I waited for him to turn his head to come to full draw. As he turned his head, I came to full draw as easily as I could and he caught my movement and jumped out to 40 yards and stopped to look back at me. My Exact RiZe Double Stack Sight glowed faintly, its pins razor-sharp against the bull’s silhouette. He didn’t have time to think about it because that Destrukt 4 was already on its way, hitting him perfectly and he piled up within 100 yards of our setup.

The Shot at Last Light

The arrow flew true, a perfect shot. The bull lurched, ran a short distance and crashed into the underbrush. Silence followed, then I exploded with excitement and started shaking. We waited, giving the bull time, but I knew I just got a good arrow in my first archery bull. As the last sliver of light vanished, and high fives were thrown, we found him. Kneeling beside that elk, I felt a mix of awe and gratitude. The equipment had performed flawlessly, but the moment was bigger than equipment. It was the culmination of days of effort, Ralph’s guidance, sacrifice and the wild spirit of New Mexico’s mountains. Watch the entire hunt here!

Why B3 Archery Made the Difference

For bowhunters, gear is everything. The B3 Archery Rook Release gave me the crisp, consistent trigger I needed under pressure, while the Exact RiZe Double Stack Sight ensured pinpoint accuracy in low light and allowed me to stay at full draw while the bull moved out to 40 yards vs a single pin where I would’ve had to let down and range and set my dial again. The Destrukt 4 gave us a great blood trail and put him down so quick. Whether you’re chasing elk in New Mexico or whitetail in Kansas, B3 Archery’s commitment to precision and durability is unmatched. Their products are designed by hunters, for hunters, and this hunt proved it.

Tips for Your Own Elk Hunt

If you’re dreaming of your first elk hunt, here’s what I learned:

• Invest in Quality Gear: A tuned bow setup that includes great products like those from B3 Archery, whether it be the Destrukt lineup of fixed blade broadheads, a movable sight like the Exact RiZe X or a quality release like the B3 Rook Index Release, it is non-negotiable. Precision matters when you’re shooting at last light.
• Hire a Guide: A knowledgeable guide like Ralph Ramos can make or break your hunt, especially in unfamiliar terrain. Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed a DIY hunt, but he saved us so much time when we were pretty limited already with the season timeframe and schedule.
• Master Calling: Learn signal bugles and cow calls. They’re your best tools for locating and luring elk.
• Prepare Physically: Elk hunting is grueling. Train for long hikes and high altitudes. Exercise before you go and get yourself in the best shape you can be in. Make it to the top in the morning and you’ll be fine.
• Embrace the Grind: Elk are elusive. Stay patient, and savor the journey, even when you want to quit and give it up, just keep going.

A Hunt to Remember

My first elk hunt in New Mexico was more than a trophy; it was a transformative experience. From the deep-growling bugle that filled my dreams to the final shot with my bow, every moment tested my skills and spirit. As all three of us hauled that elk out under the moonlight and our headlamps, I knew I’d carry this story forever—and I’d be back, chasing the next bugle another day. Remember to catch this hunting video here.