youth hunt NM Valles Caldera

M

MontanaRover

Guest
My hunting partners kid, a 14 year old, drew a rifle rut hunt bull tag for the Valles Caldera. Wondered if anyone here might have any suggestions/contacts. We're approaching it a little bit blind and won't have the opportunity to get there for much, if any, pre-hunt scouting. Also a bit concerned about processing the elk if the weather is particularly warm. Thanks for any help or suggestions.
 
The website for the trust is http://www.vallescaldera.gov you may also try to contact by email once you are on their website. your buddy should have recieved some info reguarding the hunter orientation a day or two before the hunt starts they have sub units that will be drawn at the orientation so you dont know where in the caldera you will hunt, but there are elk everywhere in every sub unit, you may also be sharing sub units with other hunters.Really there is no need to pre scout except for the day before the hunt starts. As far as processing the closest town is Los Alamos but I believe you may have to take it to Santa Fe or Espanola there are grocerie stores in Los Alamos where you could pick up dry ice. The phone number is 505-661-3333
hope this helps nmbighorn
 
Don't worry about scouting for two reasons. They won't let you except for the afternoon before opening day and you don't really need to anyway. There are many elk on the property and some very nice bulls. It may all hinge on which sub-unit you draw. They will give you a list of guides and outfitters but I wouldn't waste the money. You should be able to find decent bulls on your own. Evening hunts are better than morning hunts because you can let the elk come to you. Be patient and you should pattern them in a day or two. Saw a monster 6x6 and a good 7x7 just last week. These bulls were in the "no kill zone" which you will learn about. They also provide "helpers". At the orientation, once you draw your sub-unit, some of these helpers have worked on this property for several years and know where the elk hang out. Pick their brain. They also sell a very good topo map of the entire property that I would strongly recommend you buy at the orientation. A good helper will show you on the map where the honey holes are! Good luck to your buddies son from a localyocal who hasn't drawn a nm tag since the g&f lumped everyone into the same pool!
 
nmbighorn and localyocal, thanks for the responses. I had forgotten about the prehunt orientation and assignment of subunits. We appreciate the info on places for processing and will do our best to gain what insight we can from the "helpers". Thanks, sounds like it will be an exciting opportunity with lots of bulls to look at compared to the average general access Montana hunts.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom