Tukey Hunting While Wearing Orange

muley505

Active Member
Messages
193
I just noticed that the Valles Caldera turkey hunt requires the hunter to wear 244 sq. inches of blaze orange because it's considered a firearms hunt. Has anyone ever hunted turkeys while wearing orange, and how did that go? With their eyesight such as it is, it seems like it would be an exercise in futility. I just emailed the Caldera to see if that rule was indeed true for turkey hunters. Does anyone know if this rule was in place in the past when the Caldera was under different management? Thanks.
 
There is a reason why a Gobblers head turns RED... They can see in color. Dont think Orange is any different.
Jack
 
Just as a clarification if anyone was interested, I heard back from the NPS this morning, and they said the blaze orange requirement was only for the elk hunts. Blaze orange is not required for turkey hunts in the Caldera. Thanks.
 
Just to clarify the clarification, the NPS replied again to my original inquiry stating that orange WILL be required during the Caldera turkey hunts. They informed me originally that the proclamation was incorrect, but it turns out that it is correct on this requirement.
 
LOL Good Luck... Lots of turkeys to hunt elsewhere. Hate to see it but they screwed up a GREAT place to hunt. In a few years it will be just like hunting any other public land in northern NM. What a Shame!
Jack
 
Who knows? The way those menacing fowl seem to be able to bust me at 200 yards despite being decked in the latest high tech camo and not twitching an eyelash, I have a hard time seeing how blaze orange would be much worse...
 
Just wear it on your back, it won't be a problem. You should be facing any turkey you are trying to call.
 
Is the 244in of orange still the requirement? I just submitted for 6b this year and was reading up on that prior to submitting and as I read it it was only for elk hunts and specifically stated it is not required for turkey hunting. I know the original post was a year ago but just wondering if the rule is still in place. Also, any tips on hunting that area would be greatly appreciated. Where to camp, hunt, anything helps. If I draw it will be my first hunt there or in NM period. I'm a Georgia native.
 
This comes from the Caldera Rules and Regulations section:

"All hunters using firearms while hunting on the preserve are required to wear a minimum of 244 square inches of blaze orange with the exception of hunters using a shotgun during the turkey hunt." (The wording of this is pretty much duplicated on Page 25 of the 2017 NMDGF Rules and Information Booklet as well.)

I would take it that they have changed the requirement to allow you to hunt turkeys without wearing blaze orange, which is nice. I wish I would have seen that before I put my application in...:(

I've still never hunted the Caldera so I'm no help there, unfortunately.

Good luck if you draw the tag.
 
>This comes from the Caldera Rules
>and Regulations section:
>
>"All hunters using firearms while hunting
>on the preserve are required
>to wear a minimum of
>244 square inches of blaze
>orange with the exception of
>hunters using a shotgun during
>the turkey hunt." (The wording
>of this is pretty much
>duplicated on Page 25 of
>the 2017 NMDGF Rules and
>Information Booklet as well.)
>
>I would take it that they
>have changed the requirement to
>allow you to hunt turkeys
>without wearing blaze orange, which
>is nice. I wish I
>would have seen that before
>I put my application in...:(
>
>
>I've still never hunted the Caldera
>so I'm no help there,
>unfortunately.
>
>Good luck if you draw the
>tag.


ok yeah thats what I read. Just wanted to make sure I didn't overlook something. Well confirming my thoughts was good help so thanks. Mind me asking what areas you put on your application? I'm new to hunting in New Mexico and don't have much knowledge of public hunt lands other than using maps and searching the web.
 
Blaze orange requirements aren't that hard to meet,244 inches coveres my left butt cheek! Glue 244 inches of blaze orange to your back and the back of your pants and you are technically in compliance! Besides your pop up blind don't need blaze orange.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-30-17 AT 10:34AM (MST)[p]Page 29 of the 2017 NM BIG GAME RULES AND REGS BOOK , VALLES CALDERA ~ " All hunters in any firearms hunt on the Valles Caldera withe the EXCEPTION OF HUNTERS USING SHOTGUN DURING TURKEY HUNTS ,must wear 244 inches of blaze orange......NOT FOR TURKEY HUNTERS!!!
 

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