Average bull score in Valle Vidal?

Trad Bow 1979 · Sep 20, 2017

Well guys im already starting research for my next elk application. Im already 100% on my 2nd, 3rd choices, but im gonna do something different this year for my first. Now I know how the Gila is the place to go for a big archery bull elk. But im honestly not a huge fan of the heat of southern NM during September. So im thinking that maybe to put the Valle Vidal as my 1st choice. My only issue is that I am not finding anything out there that can tell me what average sized bull is that comes out of there. Is there great potential for a 300+ bull? Weather I pick the Gila or the Valle Vidal, I will be going with the 1st archery hunt so my odds of drawing are reasonable so I just want to make sure im looking in the right direction. So if there is anyone with personal experience that can tell me what most the bulls look like or a website to go to that has that info I would be very appreciative. Thank you

RioHuntNutt · Sep 20, 2017

Im not sure there is anything in print or online that states an average bull size,but the Valle Vidal hunt is about as good as it gets in NM with the exception of the Valles Caldera. Id bet the average size bulls are in the 280-300 range , but every year on all the archery , muzzleloader and rifle bull hunts, hunters do get bulls in that 320-360 range and from time to time even larger.Most guys do not know how big 350 truely is so when a 300 inch bull steps out they loose their mind, so would I....You cannot go wrong with this unit , its just so hard to draw , but somebody has to draw it , may as well be you...

toklat · Sep 20, 2017

+1 RioHuntNutt.

Bowdeadly · Sep 20, 2017

I gave up Appling for the VV about 20 years ago. Could not draw a tag and I grew up in that area and have been on numerous hunts but none with my tag. So I started putting in for other areas and drew a Mt. TAYLOR HUNT IN 05 THEN I started putting in for the Gila and Woooo Hoooo I drew 1 tag in 10 years.

BUGLEnmIN · Sep 20, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Sep-20-17 AT 05:03PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-20-17 AT 05:00?PM (MST)

I agree with rio also . This bull tapes 338 and on the hoof the average guy would be screaming 380!!!! It takes time to really know how to judge antlers on the hoof . Took me 20 years and I'm still learning!!

Or for example let's see who can take a crack at the score of this bull here. I watched him for 40 min so I got a good idea.

BuckBuster · Sep 20, 2017

320's

NMhntr727 · Sep 20, 2017

Probably around 340-350 hard to tell and backs kinda weak looks like. Great fronts

BUGLEnmIN · Sep 21, 2017

Hard to tell I know , really good bull. He'll be in the 320 range. It's hard to grasp how big "300 actually is until you've been around a few dead ones.

Trad Bow 1979 · Sep 21, 2017

>Im not sure there is anything
>in print or online that
>states an average bull size,but
>the Valle Vidal hunt is
>about as good as it
>gets in NM with the
>exception of the Valles Caldera.
>Id bet the average size
>bulls are in the 280-300
>range , but every year
>on all the archery ,
>muzzleloader and rifle bull hunts,
>hunters do get bulls in
>that 320-360 range and from
>time to time even larger.Most
>guys do not know how
>big 350 truely is so
>when a 300 inch bull
>steps out they loose their
>mind, so would I....You cannot
>go wrong with this unit
>, its just so hard
>to draw , but somebody
>has to draw it ,
>may as well be you

Thanks for the feedback, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I think I'm gonna definitely do that. I'll be trying for the 1st archery which has odds that are not horrible.

STOMPER · Sep 21, 2017

On an average year the higher end bulls will be 340 and your realist options will be on 310 bulls from what i have been able to decypher from people

WapitiBob · Sep 21, 2017

"I'll be trying for the 1st archery which has odds that are not horrible."

Single digit odds are horrible.

Trad Bow 1979 · Sep 21, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Sep-21-17 AT 07:55PM (MST)[p]>"I'll be trying for the 1st
>archery which has odds that
>are not horrible."
>
>Single digit odds are horrible.

Your probably looking at the Valles Caldera, not Valle Vidal.

126 residents applied for 21 tags. 16.7%
Better odds than an antelope hunt