Valldes Calldera (NM)

300wtby

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Does anyone have any information that they could share on this area in New Mexico? I was watching the USO Outfitters show last Sunday on the Outdoor Channel, their show was hunting Elk in the Valldes Calldera (spelling?). The show was pretty good although a guided hunt is not my cup of tea. They did shoot and see some pretty impresive bulls and the rifle hunting seemed like it was during the rut.

Is this place really this good? What are the chances of drawing a tag? When do you have to apply for a tag? Is it possible to do a do-it-yourself hunt? The land they were hunting used to be called the Baca Ranch I think, is there an access problem if you would draw the tag? Does the ranch allow camping or do you stay in local motels? Is it a quality hunt in the fact there are few roads through the ranch and your not seeing alot of other hunters?

These are just a few of the questions. I thank you in advance for replying to this post.

Thanks,

300wtby
 
I am pretty sure you will have to apply through the New Mexico Game and Fish this year, look through their Big Game Booklet for specifics.

http://www.gmfsh.state.nm.us/

If you are to draw, you should be able to do a do it yourself hunt without a problem.

Nino
 
Thanks for the information. A little concerned as to what "purchasing access coupons" may be. They have not updated their webpage for the 2004 Hunting Season yet, it said to check back.

300wtby
 
Those purchasing access coupons are like lottery tickets. You buy as many as you want at $25, and if you are one of the lucky ones then you get to hunt on in my minds one of the greatest pieces of elk hunting country in the world. I myself will be buying as many coupons my wallet will allow this year. This is nice because I can still put in for my regular elk hunts in New Mexico, and if I get one of the lucky tickets on the Valle Calderas then my other elk hunts are void, but if I do ot get the lucky ticket then I will still be eligible for those hunts I like in the Gila, which also has some very big bulls.
 
Mengland, I take it you have hunted this area. Is it a quality hunt? Are there alot of hunters or does the access coupons only allow for a few hunters per week? Is hunting on this ranch the same as winning the lottery? are the odds that bad? How much is an access coupon? are you required to purchase a NM Elk license before you can apply to this ranch?

Appreciate your reply.

Thank,

300 wtby
 
I hunted with a muzzleloader this year and took a nice bull, scored around 310 and was estimated to be 14+ years old (the ivories were below gumline). Apply, thats all that needs to be said. You do not need a guide and you will see lots of nice bulls with some over 350. You have to attend an orientation, check in and out every day, will have a sub-unit assigned through a drawing, no ATVs (to me that was the best part of the hunt), no camping, no fires, BUT excellent hunting. Last year about 14,000 rafle tickets were purchased. I drew with 2 bought and I am probably buying 4 this year.
 
If your bull was 14 years old and 310 inches. Is there a problem with genetics? This place should have lots of 350+ bulls.

TheHunt
 
Bull was probaly on his downside at 14 years in his prime he was a better bull then 310, that what i'm thinking.
 
I was thinking the same thing Gator. The bull is probably on the down side.
-Raptor
 
LM - NRA, NAHC, RMEF
Down Hill side like some of us Old bulls - our horn get a little smaller and shorter with age.:p Still in the fight tho!!
 
I saw lots of bulls, but most were in the 280-330 class, only saw a few that would have been 350 plus. The largest bull that ever came off of the place was 389ish (according to the foreman who has been there for a long time). In my humble opinion, as a wildlife biologist, there are probably too many bulls and elk there. I saw lots of fighting (a first for me) and lots of broken antlers. My bull had 5" broken off of the main beam. Also, the foreman said that bulls will lose between 200 and 300 pounds during the rut. My bull had no, I mean not 1 ounce, of fat on his body (again a first for me). But it is quite an experience definitely worth a $25 chance (I will be buying 2 again this year, that's what I got lucky on last year).
 
So, if I understand this right, for the Archery hunt with 10 tags, 1 tag will go to a non-resident applicant?
 
The way the "draw" is set-up, 10% go to non-res.w/o guides, 12% to non-res.w/guide and 78% to NM residents. Federal land purchased with Federal funds. Certainly seems equitable, doesn't it!!!!?????
 
Has anyone recieved the coupons yet?? I'd like to get the appl. in the mail but I still need my coupon number(s).
 

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