- Thread starter schmalts
- Start date
Great Draw! I hunted the Vidal about 20 years ago, shortly after they opened it up. I camped up there and used a 30-40 Krag with 200 grain cast bullets. Unfortunately, we were hunting across the end of October and it became unseasonably hot. It was 71 degrees one day. The Elk were in the blow down most of the time. I had a cow tag and the only elk I had rifle shot on were a couple of "royal" bulls standing in run-off pond water up to their privates, tossing the water over themselves. No elk on that trip! (My bad luck!) I did have a very strange occurance there if you'd let me relate it...
My friend Laurence and I were walking down a old logging road one evening. It was the night before the season started and we'd been scouting. It was cold in the twilight. We were walking along, talking quietly, when we were suddenly surrounded by a swirling of tropically warm air. It was fragrant and ran aound us for 10 or 15 seconds before vanishing or moving on, leaving us in the 35 degree air. We thought it an odd occurance but wrote it off as some meteorlogical thing. The next morning we were working our way through the same area on foot, just before full light. I was walking through the pines some 50 yards to the left of the road we encountered the warm air on. Around me was the remnance of an old logging camp: pot bellied stoves, old bits and pieces of iron. Suddenly I was engulfed in the warm air again. It smelled distinctly like womens perfume. I stood stock still and the warm fragrance surrounded me for a good two minutes before vanishing. Very strange. I related the experience to Laurence and we determined that I was just left of the spot where we'd encountered the warm air the night before.
A week or so later I was in Cimmaron, NM and heard tales of how loggers would sometimes take local prostitutes up to their camps, and that sometimes the women never returned. Sure got me thinking....
Anyhow, your post reminded me of that eerie morning. Enjoy yourself. You'll see some huge deer while you're up there as well. Head to the Ranger's Station at dusk. Oh My! ~AMMOe
My friend Laurence and I were walking down a old logging road one evening. It was the night before the season started and we'd been scouting. It was cold in the twilight. We were walking along, talking quietly, when we were suddenly surrounded by a swirling of tropically warm air. It was fragrant and ran aound us for 10 or 15 seconds before vanishing or moving on, leaving us in the 35 degree air. We thought it an odd occurance but wrote it off as some meteorlogical thing. The next morning we were working our way through the same area on foot, just before full light. I was walking through the pines some 50 yards to the left of the road we encountered the warm air on. Around me was the remnance of an old logging camp: pot bellied stoves, old bits and pieces of iron. Suddenly I was engulfed in the warm air again. It smelled distinctly like womens perfume. I stood stock still and the warm fragrance surrounded me for a good two minutes before vanishing. Very strange. I related the experience to Laurence and we determined that I was just left of the spot where we'd encountered the warm air the night before.
A week or so later I was in Cimmaron, NM and heard tales of how loggers would sometimes take local prostitutes up to their camps, and that sometimes the women never returned. Sure got me thinking....
Anyhow, your post reminded me of that eerie morning. Enjoy yourself. You'll see some huge deer while you're up there as well. Head to the Ranger's Station at dusk. Oh My! ~AMMOe
NewMexElkoholic
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 0
That is a hard one to draw. It is a good unit, and there are nice bulls up to 330, but few superb bulls in the 350 and up range. My wife drew cow rifle there a couple years back and everyone tagged out in a couple days. I was up there twice last year, once with a friend from my office and once with my son, both had rifle cow tags With my friend we saw lots of elk, but he could not get a clean shot at a cow. Saw lots of bulls, and we left after 2.5 days.
With my son (10 years old), in early November, we also saw lots of elk. He shot a good cow early the second morning. They were still bugling that late! Saw a huge buffalo back there too.
On both hunts we had issues with hunters illegaly taking their vehicles off road.
VV is beautiful, and easy to hunt compared to most elk country. The east side is as flat of country I have ever seen elk in. There were some severe fires there 2 or three years ago. We saw lots of sign in those burned areas.... tracks and elk everywhere, they were eating the fresh grass growth in those areas. Most trees are dead/black so it aint the prettiest, but the elk like it. Try Ponil creek south of the main road, over on the east side, east of McCrystal campground. Don't just walk down the creekbed, stay on the low ridges on either side. Easy walking.
Practice your cow calling and bugling and have a great hunt!
With my son (10 years old), in early November, we also saw lots of elk. He shot a good cow early the second morning. They were still bugling that late! Saw a huge buffalo back there too.
On both hunts we had issues with hunters illegaly taking their vehicles off road.
VV is beautiful, and easy to hunt compared to most elk country. The east side is as flat of country I have ever seen elk in. There were some severe fires there 2 or three years ago. We saw lots of sign in those burned areas.... tracks and elk everywhere, they were eating the fresh grass growth in those areas. Most trees are dead/black so it aint the prettiest, but the elk like it. Try Ponil creek south of the main road, over on the east side, east of McCrystal campground. Don't just walk down the creekbed, stay on the low ridges on either side. Easy walking.
Practice your cow calling and bugling and have a great hunt!
subfan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2001
- Messages
- 1,562
- Reaction score
- 5
Way to go! Odds were against you for sure. I applied, not sure why. I'll get my money back and go on with life. Not sure if I will try again next year. The idea of buying the coupon and sending the tag money up front has me wondering, especially with the dismal draw odds. I am envious of those who do draw!
NewMexElkoholic
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 0
Subfan:
FYI, Valled Vidal does not require a coupon.... maybe you are thinking Valles Caldera.
And, now you can apply via web and just leave a credit card number..... no draw, they charge $6, draw, you pay the full tag amount. So all you risk is $6.
Steve
FYI, Valled Vidal does not require a coupon.... maybe you are thinking Valles Caldera.
And, now you can apply via web and just leave a credit card number..... no draw, they charge $6, draw, you pay the full tag amount. So all you risk is $6.
Steve
NewMexElkoholic
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 0
Subfan:
I goofed too. I think for Valles Caldera the mail in coupon was required. All other hunts available by on line, credit card.
Steve
I goofed too. I think for Valles Caldera the mail in coupon was required. All other hunts available by on line, credit card.
Steve
First of al, let us know which hunt you were drawn for. ie.. rifle first second or third hunt. Bull or cow?
I last hunted their 3 years ago and took my biggest bull. It was a 320. That sounds like no big deal but its a big bull. He has the rack to score 340 but he lost the two lower fronts fighting.
anyway, i have hunted there 4 times. Its my favorite Elk area ever. Classic Elk country.
Let us know more details about your hunt.
Archery. I will get there on the 3rd and hunt through the 16th if need be. I will pack in and spike camp. I want wake up near where the outfitters take hours to get by horse.
Actuall i would like to talk with you, if you PM me your ph number i will call you on my dime....
Actuall i would like to talk with you, if you PM me your ph number i will call you on my dime....
Just some clarification b/c a friend of mine called me and asked how i could have hunted the Valle Vidal 4 times. The unit is once in a lifetime for both cow and bull. I have been drawn for each. The other two times were with buddies who drew tags and i accompanied and helped them out on their hunts.
here is a link to the bull i shot there a few years ago.
http://www.eng.uc.edu/%7Edwschae/personal/RubenElk.jpg
rueben, I would really like to talk with you. Can you email me your ph#? Pat
gps@wi.rr.com or call me 262-628-7150
gps@wi.rr.com or call me 262-628-7150
I am calling right now buddy. I happened to get off work early so i could call. I am so sorry to have awoken you guys. I did not realized you lived in Wisconsin, ooooppppsss.
Us silly westerners always wake you midwest and eastern guys up late at night. Please give your wife my sincerest appologies.
Reuben
Reuben
Dont worry about it bro. I would have woken up but i already had the computor turned off to look at the map. I tell you what, Give me a jingle this morning at work if you are on second shift. 414-465-6448 Pat or my cell# 262-388-2809. Or you can try tonight before 10PM central LOL
If no answer just leave me a number and i will get right back to you. I do wander from my phone sometimes.
If no answer just leave me a number and i will get right back to you. I do wander from my phone sometimes.
