NM Valles Caldera

[NMHTR67]

Had a good buddy draw Valles Caldera.
Any info on potential hot spots or general info is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[DLSJR]

It’s a very special place. I was fortunate to hunt there a long time ago, when it was the Baca Ranch. It’s elk hunting heaven.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

We used to see hundreds, maybe thousands of them from the pull outs on the main road looking down into the caldera.

There used to be a dirt road to the left as you got past the caldera, I’d drive my 4wd Toyota up there with girls all the time. One time I had some girl up there and I went into some trees to take a leak, I saw something move and realized there was an entire heard with several bulls within 50 feet of my truck for the past hour.

Great place, I got fish in there several times but never got to hunt the caldera. Even had permits to mountain bike in there a few times which was neat.

There used to be (probably still is) so many bulls there in the Jemez mountains. We used to hunt up in there all the time but never in the caldera. I’d fly across the country in a heartbeat to help a buddy who had a tag for the caldera.

 

[jgilber5]

He'll have no trouble finding elk. Pick a direction, walk a mile. you'll run one over. General info, the caldera is run by the National Parks Service. Can't be in there before light or after dark while scouting, can only drive the main road with a reserved vehicle pass, water is everywhere.

 

[StopMakingSense]

A sweet spot, hunted it twice and had success both times. As others have stated it's nirvana for elk hunting. I had an insane amount of encounters every day during first archery.

It doesn't matter where you go in the park, you're going to run over elk constantly. Just pick a spot and go.

If you want to shoot a pig, consider 505 Outfitters.