The
Valles Caldera Trust was created by the Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2000
to preserve and protect the historic Baca Ranch of New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains.
The groundbreaking legislation that provided for the federal purchase of this
89,000-acre ranch nestled inside an ancient, volcanic caldera also created a
unique experiment in public land management.
As a result, a high-quality, elk-hunting opportunity was created for the public. Elite Outfitters has the capability to assist you in applying for this unique hunt along with providing professional guiding services. You may apply for any combination of archery, muzzleloader and/or rifle tags each season. You may also apply concurrently for any other public elk drawings in New Mexico such as the Sacramento Mountains elk hunts offered by Elite.
Elk
tags for the Valles Caldera hunt are issued through a national lottery with an
April 7 deadline. Lottery chances are sold for $25 apiece to residents and
nonresidents alike. You can purchase up to 20 chances per hunt date offered on
the Valles Caldera. There are no party applications. Each hunter must
apply as an individual. The drawing for the Valles Caldera hunts will take place
before the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's regular public elk draw.
Applicants who successfully draw a Valles Caldera tag will then be removed from
the regular New Mexico public elk drawing as you cannot hold two elk tags for
any given hunt year in the state.
Realistically,
if you draw a Valles Caldera tag, you can expect shot opportunities at 300 to
350-class bulls on any hunt. All hunts will be guided 1 on 1.
Elite's advice is not to spend a lot of money on the Valles Caldera elk-hunting lottery, but to buy 2 to 4 chances in addition to applying for the regular New Mexico draw hunts. It's worth applying for this hunt, as it is a phenomenal hunt and your odds of drawing a quality New Mexico elk tag are increased.
Accommodations are provided in a motel and all meals are included.
Statistics
Elite drew one rifle hunter for the 2006 Valles Caldera 2nd rifle hunt. The hunter harvested a 340-class 6x6 and turned down multiple bulls over 300 inches.
Elite drew one muzzleloader hunter for the 2007 season. The hunter harvested a 320-class 6x6.
References
Mike Newman, PA 724-452-0381 "This hunt is well worth applying for. I passed up many 300 to 320-class bulls before taking a 340-class 6x6. My guide Kenny did a great job finding game and putting us in excellent shooting position. He also was very good at having me pass on many bulls that were larger than any bulls I had seen on previous NM hunts."
Jeff Magalski, MI 269-792-0512 "I could not have asked for a better hunt! There were elk everywhere! My guide, Brian, did an excellent job of putting us on elk.
2008 Prices
5-Day Valles Caldera Elk Hunt
$4900 (fully-guided 1 on 1)
2008 Seasons
Archery
September 7-11, 2008
September 15-19, 2008Muzzleloader
October 4-8, 2008
Rifle
October 11-15, 2008
October 18-22, 2008
2008 Lottery Chance
Bull Elk - $25
Elite has implemented a mandatory bullet policy for 2008. Please see the "Policies Page" below.
Rifle Hunt Equipment List
Contract and Booking Information