Boys Drawn for Valles Caldera Antlerless!

[riplake]

My two boys 10 and 14 just found out that they were drawn for the Valles Caldera antlerless hunt on Oct. 25th - 27th! You would have thought it was Christmas morning!

Looking for any advice that might be out there on the logistics of the hunt from those who have been there.
Camping available nearby, it says, but might be weather that late in the season. Any thoughts on the best most, fun way to do this?

We didn't get drawn for anything special in CA so this really boosted our spirits!

 

[CODE3RUN]

Isnt that New Mexico? I put in that lottery last year and of course no luck.

 

[riplake]

New Mexico, it is near Santa Fe. I used to live in New Mexico as a kid so I am excited to go there with my boys.

I guess no one else has gotten drawn for this before!? Amazing out of all the draws I have applied for for myself and the kids that the two of them get drawn on the same hunt.

Here is a link to the ranch's website -

http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/elk/index.aspx

If anyone who has ben happens to bump into this I am also wondering if I can hunt with both of the boys and have each of them have a good chance or if I need another person or 2 so we cover more ground and give each of them a better opportunity?

 

[hank4elk]

congrat's, it's an awesome place. ihope to get drawn there someday. my outfitter put 3 0f us in and i was the only one not to get a tag, but i did get drawn for 44/45. if you need help my outfitter is one of few guides allowed to operate in the caldera, and i'm sure he'll help point you in right direction. it's west of santa fe in jemez mnts. let me know how they did , hank

 

[hank4elk]

oopss, forgot to put in his name, eric@bearcreekadventures. eric roybal out of pecos. also the folk's at valles caldera are very proffessional and will help set your boys up so they get a great experiance. good luck hank w.

 

[riplake]

Thanks a ton for that and will definitely post results here! Mike

 

[DAWG]

Cogratulations to your son. We will have to compare notes. My 15 year old son got Bishop 2 antlerless apprentice on hs last try at apprentice hunts. Guess you can guess the reaction.....Sorry I can not say anything about your kid's hunt, other than it is supposed to be great.

 

[wmidbrook]

It's one of those places where even a blind squirrel could probably find a nut every time though no doubt it'd be nice to have a guide to gut, skin, quarter, extract ivories and pack out your two cows. And, it'd be good to have a guide if it were one of your first big game hunts as well.

Someone said the personnel there have game carts to use once you bag your elk--I'd confirm that though. I'd hold off the first day or two just to see all the nice bulls and soak in the wonderful scenery...you can probably even manage to shoot one on the side of your unit closest to where you can park....it's thick with elk. You're very fortunate and a big congratulations to you.

 

[riplake]

What is really amazing is that they both were drawn, Momma's gonna need a bigger freezer!

Thanks for the thought on the game carts I will e mail the folks at the preserve office and see what the story is there as well as vehicle restrictions.

Good Luck to all in their seasons this year, especially the youngsters.

 

[VMR]

I have been fortunate enough to hunt the Valle. I shot a nice cow last year. I have used JS Outdoors many times in New Mexico and used Jaret on the Valle. I did not use a guide for the cow hunt. The staff at the Valle are VERY HELPFUL and make it a GREAT HUNT.

For the juniors, I know that they will even help more. My friend and I both drew cow tags and they allowed us to hunt together in the same unit - I am sure that they will allow your sons to do the same.

Have fun!!

I will be there on November 22-24 for the last cow hunt.