Valle Vidal youth hunt help!

ABQMike · Apr 21, 2023

Found out yesterday my son drew his first elk tag for Unit 55A Valle Vidal MB rifle. We’re beyond excited but want to do everything we possibly can to be prepared for success in this one. We’ll have some time to scout this summer, but would greatly appreciate any insight from folks that have knowledge of the unit. This hunt occurs after the two regular MB rifle hunts, beginning Oct 28. I’m expecting this will be a challenging hunt and we’ll need to work for it if we want to be successful. He’s 12 years old and we’ll be on foot most likely, unless I can figure out something else.

I’ve DIY’ed several cow hunts but not this unit and this will be the first bull hunt either of us have done. Planning starts now, any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

cbat · Apr 21, 2023

Call Robert Ortega. He has been guiding on the VV for probably 20 years or more. 575 770 2441
He keeps horses up there to pack out . With this being a OIL I would spend the cash and get his help.
I did and it was money well spent.

ABQMike · Apr 21, 2023

Great advice for sure, thanks for the contact info.

tega52 · Apr 22, 2023

ABQMike said:
Great advice for sure, thanks for the contact info.

Give me a call when you get a chance. We can figure out something that works for you
Robert Ortega
575-770-2441

ABQMike · Apr 23, 2023

tega52 said:
Give me a call when you get a chance. We can figure out something that works for you
Robert Ortega
575-770-2441

Will do, Thanks Robert.

ortegageno · Apr 23, 2023

Take a crown royal bottle with a handle, it may help with the entire process. ?

Crampy · Apr 23, 2023

By all means, hire a guide if you want to press the Easy button. And being picky.

But you've taken DIY cows yourself before. I don't think you'd have much trouble finding an accessible bull for a 12 yo at the VV.

Especially if you can find pack out service only - and avoid full service guiding.

ortegageno · Apr 23, 2023

I still can't believe they moved the youth hunt out after the the muzzle and two other rifle hunts. WTF

Iowan · Apr 24, 2023

I have hunted the VV three times successfully - my brother shot a 378" net typical. I know it well enough to be successful there when I draw the archery tag someday. That said I would seriously think about hiring Tega when I draw. Hiring a guide is not hitting the easy button, it is more likely to allow you to relax and enjoy the hunt a bit more. Not everyone is set up for this type of hunting. There is a lot of pressure with these OIL tags. That youth hunt is far from a slam dunk, especially if you want to take a better than average bull. You can absolutely do the hunt on your own and be successful however you measure success.

saddlesorerider · Apr 24, 2023

I was on that hunt 2 years ago when my 13 year grandson pulled the tag in the guide pool. I thought it would be an easy hunt with a guide as I had hunted the Angle Fire area for 10 years and there were plenty of bulls.
He saw a total of three small bulls all over 500 yards away and never took a shot. I think there was only one bull taken by hunters in the campsite and it was taken with the help of a guide on horseback. These bulls move over to private, the VPR, the Philmont boy scout camp, or stay in deep timber. Beautiful country but for kids this hunt should be earlier in the year.

roadrunner · Apr 24, 2023

ortegageno said:
I still can't believe they moved the youth hunt out after the the muzzle and two other rifle hunts. WTF

Precisely the reason I quit putting mine in for it. Now they're "adults"...

tega52 · Apr 24, 2023

roadrunner said:
Precisely the reason I quit putting mine in for it. Now they're "adults"...

I'm really surprised they did that also. Seems like they wanted to make it more of an "opportunity " hunt. There's bulls running around at the time they do it now, just gotta know where they're at

Reuben_Soady · Apr 25, 2023

+1 Tega & ponys.
That's the fun button.
I wouldn't call it easy.

ABQMike · Apr 25, 2023

Yeah I do wonder why they put the youth hunt after the standard rifle hunts, but this does work out well with our schedule.

We're certainly not looking for an easy button type of hunt, but with a 12 year old, the OIY tag, etc we do want to make it memorable.

BUGLEnmIN · Apr 25, 2023

ABQMike said:
Yeah I do wonder why they put the youth hunt after the standard rifle hunts, but this does work out well with our schedule.

We're certainly not looking for an easy button type of hunt, but with a 12 year old, the OIY tag, etc we do want to make it memorable.

If you can swing it call Robert. Even though it is VV it’s going to be a challenge. ESP being a OIL