Valles Caldera?

L

leftturnabq

Active Member
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An old buddy of mine scored a tag for the muzzy hunt, and invited me to help him out; he's not an experienced hunter, and frankly I think he has no idea how lucky he is to have drawn this tag.

I do have a few questions for those that have gone on these hunts recently, as I have never had the privilege.

1) Do they split the hunters up into areas/zones or is it just a free for all?

2) Is there a time you can access the gates/does everybody line up like the Oryx 500?

3) If we drag a travel trailer up there, what is the best/nearest campground to setup in? Is there a campsite that we should reserve or anything like that?

Thanks
 
Your buddy is a very lucky guy. At the orientation they will give you a map of all the open areas that can be hunted. Every licensed hunter has access to all open areas within the preserve. They will also give you the combination to the gate so everyone usually arrives at different times so you won't have to worry about a line at the gate. Closest place to camp would be on the forest across from the Vc off 280 or 36. You can also stay at bonco bonito camp area that's about 30 minutes from the gate. Good luck the bulls should be fired up! If you need any help packing out or have any questions give me a call good luck.
 
You can hunt where ever you want throughout the hunting areas, excluding the safe zones. All of the roads are closed except for the main one to the san antonio, and one on the redondo canyon side. You will receive a code for the gate and you can enter and leave as you want. Best place to camp is at the bottom of the 280 road, really close to the main entrance, or at graduation flats on the public, 10 minute drive. He has one hell of a tag, the rut seems to be a week off of normal up here, so the muzzy tag should be amazing. Lots of big bulls this year. Good luck
 
I drew the cow tag but haven't heard anything about a orientation. Should I be expecting something in the mail?

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
 
From what I understand, they will send you a packet about a month before your hunt date.

Orientation is at the entrance station the day before your hunt, when you get your Special Use Permit ($35).

FYI: you will also have to pay a $20 per vehicle entrance fee that is good for 5 days.
 
I am pretty sure they will issue a area. Not sure on the gate. Last time i hunted there was when it was the Baca ranch. As of camp site there's a few Redondo camp ground is the closest i would call the jemez ranger office at (575)829-3535 p.s there is also a few lodges in la cueva
 
Jemezhunter, they changed the area issue a couple years back. I believe the entire ranch is fair game except the big open Valles as you go in.
 
Yeah, my understanding is that they used to split eveybody up into zoned areas, but that has since changed...

With only 15 hunters, it shouldnt be too big of an issue.
 
I hunted it in 2014. There were no designated units then, everything was open, except the closed areas.

A packet showed up a couple of months prior to the hunt explaining things.

We camped at Banco Bonito, which I prefer, because it is not open to the public the way the USFS campgrounds and areas are so it's a little more secure from "camp robbers".

My orientation was two evenings before the hunt, with a scouting day the day before the hunt. All that has changed as you can now scout whenever with a backcountry permit. The orientation has changed as well.

If you're still curious and have not recieved a packet yet, call them.
 
Good point about Banco Bonito. Might have to reconsider that.

Although I don't believe they allow campfires there...

If/when succesful, there's nothing like celebrating around an open fire with fresh tenderloin grilled over hot coals.
 
took my wife in there in 13 muzzle...we werent assigned anywhere...there are tons of elk there but they are not on the roads volunteering to get shot....we went with a guide and never saw jack in the morns..find water to walk into on the eve hunts...they came in to the water early bout 2:30...it was once a cattle ranch ...there are earth tanks that we would have never found without a guide...in my opinion the muz is the best...they are screaming their heads off..saw a 380 missed a 340 she got a 300
 
Thats awesome... thankyou for... using all of the punctuation... that... was... missed... last... year...

?Bill
 
Heading up first thing in the AM to get setup, do the orientation deal, and get a little last minute scouting in tomorrow evening.

Success rates for the last couple years are very high...

I think I'm more excited about this hunt than my buddy is.

Hope to have pics to share early next week.
 
Took my wife and boy in there a week and a half ago just for some fun and holy $&it, it was an absolute madhouse. Bulls bugled non-stop the whole time we were there. Raked a few trees and in came a nice busted up 6x to us three bozos in white T-shirt's. You?re going to have fun.

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
 
Is the Caldera open to NR or did we lose that site as well?

Thanks
Joe


"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
146862018vcbull.jpg


Not the biggest bull on the mountain, but after pushing him hard and missing 2 bulls on Saturday, he made a good shot on this one on Sunday.

First hunt ever, and he really had no idea what he was in for, but now he has a freezer full of quality meat.


As for my thoughts on the VC; it is indeed a special place. Only laid eyes on 2 bulls I would put in the 350" class - 1 while scouting Friday afternoon, and 1 going bonkers mid-day Saturday in the middle of a herd of 60+ animals...we just couldn't close the distance with that many noses, eyes & ears, nor get him to stand still long enough to line up a shot. I've never been anywhere with a more dense population of elk.

Beautiful country...
 
Great job, happy to see you all found success.

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
 
His son-in-law drew and hunted thru Wednesday morning, passing on smaller bulls in search of a big one. He ended up with tag soup, but said that another hunter tagged a monster 6x7 pushing 400".

One of the outfitters on the hunt also stated that a non-typical was taken last year that scored 413".
 
I have a pict from an outfitter of a stud bull killed on the VC this year. Its a beautiful 7x7!
 
Leftturn, where did y?all end up camping? Planning on taking the camper to Banco Bonito but still undecided. Heading up there this Sunday for some scouting, really hoping we can find a cow first day but keep hearing I shouldn't expect a walk in the park, although it is a park ;)

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
 
We ended up camping at the top of the hill behind Ponderosa.

I know things are different now from 3 weeks ago, but if you can't find a cow in there...

Again, I've never been to an area more densely populated with elk. Not only is the habitat ideal, but I think the fact that it is a preserve helps with nunbers of animals in there too...they are not nearly as likely to pestered, pressured, and poached.
 
Glad to here it all worked out for you guys. My daughter has the youth tag later in November. We are both pumped!
 
Any idea how much snow they got the other day? Think there was around 4" at the trailhead to San Gregorio, south end of the San Pedro Wilderness.
 
Even though it is the Valles Caldera and despite the fact I filled the tag on the first day, this hunt is challenging. The elk know the drill and move into the timber right at first light and don't come out till the last 10-15 minutes of legal light. Saw some absolutely amazing bulls and managed to kill the biggest cow I have ever seen. Her teeth were worn down to her gums and her ivories were gone. Incredible place, more coyotes than you can possibly imagine.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/924846ae0b094304a41d29b307a168ea105a7.jpeg

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
 
Nice!!

I did see a lot of coyotes there as well...several were hunting prairie dogs, with no concern for our presence whatsoever.
 
>Thats awesome... thankyou for... using
>all of the punctuation...
>that... was... missed... last... year...
>
>
>?Bill
 
i drew muzzy bull hunt this year in vc...my guide is gonna be the former superintendent..my cousin is coming from nashville to video...will post after the hunt if mr.bill is ok with my punctuation
 

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