Valle Vidal question

Trad Bow 1979 · Feb 3, 2019

I have not been to the Valle Vidal yet, it's on my bucket list to hunt elk during 1st archery season one day. So now the opportunity for deer has presented itself in that unit. Very low number of tags available, which I don't mind. But do you guys think the low tag numbers are because there is not a ton of deer in there? Is it to ensure a sustainable population of trophy size deer? Thoughts?

cosmic_cowboy · Feb 3, 2019

There are Trophy size Deer in the VV and a good population...I like the low tag numbers also. Here is the thing they have NEVER been hunted.
Jack

Trad Bow 1979 · Feb 3, 2019

That's exactly what makes it so appealing to me! I don't think there has been hunting in the VV in my lifetime.

Bowdeadly · Feb 3, 2019

Used to see some giants in there in the late 90's when the VV was our stomping grounds. Ever since moving to concert jungle I have not made many trips up there. But since they have never been hunted by humans I'm sure there are some great bucks running round up there. It was a guarantee to see them by the lake every time you would go up there. Not sure as of lately though. But there will only be 9 tags left because I have already drawn one of them. LOL
Wishful thinking

cosmic_cowboy · Feb 3, 2019

The thing about never being hunted is not that they will be stupid its you have a older/mature class of Bucks 8 to 10 years old so they will have reached their potential unlike the rest of the state were they get wacked at 2 to 4 years old.
Jack

DoeNob · Feb 4, 2019

Will there be a NR unguided tag for this hunt? I know there will be 1 outfitter tag, I'm hoping they would round up on the .6 for NR unguided....

riplip · Feb 26, 2019

Would you rather hunt 1st or 2nd archery for elk? Obvioulsy rut would be better later in the season, but 1st season may offer better opportunity for getting closer to a big bull. Dreaming....

swampokie · Feb 26, 2019

2nd for me

iccyman001 · Feb 26, 2019

I put in for the archery deer tag.
Game time

roadrunner · Feb 27, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-19 AT 03:57PM (MST)[p]>Would you rather hunt 1st or
>2nd archery for elk? Obvioulsy
>rut would be better later
>in the season, but 1st
>season may offer better opportunity
>for getting closer to a
>big bull. Dreaming....

Depends. Normally the bulls are screaming on the second hunt and "easy" to ambush, but the pecking order is well established and may be more difficult to call in a big'un away from cows.

First hunt may be easier to call in a big'un, but it could also be warmer and drier.

Usually the 2nd hunt is more favorable. A couple-three years ago I guess guys really struggled on the 2nd hunt because it got warm in a weird way.

My choices are 2nd hunt 1st, 1st hunt 2nd, and then something like Sargents or 6A 3rd.

Trad Bow 1979 · Feb 27, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-19 AT 10:10PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-19 AT 10:00?PM (MST)

>Would you rather hunt 1st or
>2nd archery for elk? Obvioulsy
>rut would be better later
>in the season, but 1st
>season may offer better opportunity
>for getting closer to a
>big bull. Dreaming....

I prefer 1st archery. I've hunted 1st and 2nd season, no difference in my experience. I've seen bulls going nuts on September 2nd bugling and chasing each other till 1030 in the morning. Same location different year and just hearing 1-3 bugles a day around September 20th. I think there are a ton of things that affect the rut but I don't think every area falls under the dates of 1st or 2nd hunt. Sometimes it goes into October. Personally I'd rather avoid the rut. If I hear a ton of bugling I worry about other people hearing it and showing up. When the woods are quite people often just move on until they hear something somewhere else. Just my limited experience.