NM Valles Caldera approved outfitter?

[RichM]

It is starting to look like my friend that was going to go with me on my Valles Caldera hunt isn't going to make it. Since I'm a newbie at hunting I want some help, but Valles Caldera is suppose to have a list of approved outfitters so I need to start looking for one that is available for my particular hunt.

Any suggestions?

I'd rather not abandon the hunt, I won't risk doing a solo hunt in late November with no experience.

[Ben Nicholson]

That's a prized tag! Whatever you do don't not hunt it.

[raxafarian]

Yes, don't give it up.

I don't know much but I'd give a hand if you needed it. I live just outside Albuquerque.

[RichM]

It's official, my friend can't make it. So I've printed up the list of outfitters from the NMG&F and will start sorting though outfitters local to the Santa Fe area. I really have no idea what to expect to pay for a 4 day rifle hunt in the Caldera, I'm very apprehensive... did I mention it's thanksgiving weekend... sigh.

So any suggestions for an outfitter are still be welcome.

It's hard to find people that you want to spend time in the woods with, and more importantly vice versa.

[RichM]

I've printed up the list of outfitters from the New Mexico Game and Fish and narrowed it down to a few dozen around the Jemez, Espanola and Albuquerque area. I plan on calling them next week. I also called an Albuquerque archery shop and asked about an outfitter they said they know of someone and he would get back with me. Hopefully I find someone soon.
There seems to be some confusion now about what outfitters are allowed on the caldera and who aren't, I just hope I don't run afoul of the rules.

[ABQ_Chica]

Hi Rich, don't give up your tag! Valles Caldera is an amazing place to hunt.

I have one of the mid-November antlerless hunts, have scouted a couple of times already, and have turkey hunted there in the past. I'll PM you what info I've gathered and some maps I've marked up. It's helpful to at least get the lay of the land, especially after the recent wildfires. I'd also be happy to share info from others who have earlier hunts there if they report back.

If you have time between Sept. 19 and 30, you can reserve a backcountry permit to scout on your own, too.

Meanwhile, good luck finding an outfitter. That's a prized area, so I'd be surprised if you can't find one.

[RichM]

I'm set, 505 Outfitters from Albuquerque are working with me. Pete seems like a good person.
What can I say, I'm excited and nervous. The Caldera is a beautiful place, one of the many reasons I feel fortunate to have been raised in NM.

ABQ_Chica, I did not get a chance to scout so any observations from your upcoming hunt would be greatly appreciated.

I'm also happy that my job has become more permanent which means, with luck, I'll be moving out of my apartment and into a house of my own in the next 6 months or so. Things are going almost too good... last name is Murphy after all....

[ABQ_Chica]

Glad you found an outfitter, Rich. And glad you posted an update...reminded me to send you the info from my scouting trips, so I'll do that ASAP. Not sure it will help, but might give you some ideas, or at least some visuals.
My hunt there is next week. Can't believe it's November already!

[RichM]

Hi Rich, don't give up your tag! Valles Caldera is an amazing place to hunt.

I have one of the mid-November antlerless hunts, have scouted a couple of times already, and have turkey hunted there in the past. I'll PM you what info I've gathered and some maps I've marked up. It's helpful to at least get the lay of the land, especially after the recent wildfires. I'd also be happy to share info from others who have earlier hunts there if they report back.

If you have time between Sept. 19 and 30, you can reserve a backcountry permit to scout on your own, too.

Meanwhile, good luck finding an outfitter. That's a prized area, so I'd be surprised if you can't find one.

Good luck Chica!!

[RichM]

Tired so I'll make this short.
I got my cow on the first day right around 11am in an area ABQChica pointed me towards.
Peter Vigil from 505Outfitters was great, positive and encouraging since he knew it was the first animal I harvested.
My shot placement, well to not mince words sucked and that has me feeling bad. I need more practice.
Maybe a picture or two once I get some rest and unpack the car.... and yes you can fit a quartered elk in a subaru

[Indian Summer]

Congratulations Rich! One under your belt. That's really good. I'm sure you learned a lot too.

[ABQ_Chica]

Way to go, Rich! First day, even...
We were into cow elk there every day except the last one, but I just couldn't get an opportunity. Glad you got one!

[ElkNut1]

Rich, congrats sir!

ElkNut1

[RichM]

Thank you all.
For the record, this is my first successful hunt, ever. Until this weekend I have never so much as gutted a fish in my 44 years. The experience has given me a new prospective and appreciation for the food on my table. There have been some drawbacks in the form of backlash from friends and family that I was not prepared for. I am trying my best to "agree to disagree".
The more vegetarian leaning people I know seam to be more apt to accept the "agree to disagree" philosophy. I find it disturbing to get talked down to from someone that eats fast food hamburgers 3 times a week demonizing me for killing an elk to fill my freezer for a year. Sigh.

Other than that... the backstaps and tenderloins have been great and I can't wait to start smoke some summer sausage and snack sticks.

[ABQ_Chica]

That makes me even happier for you, Rich! It's never too late to start...

But I'm sorry to hear about the backlash. It's surprising how many people try to demean us because they think hunting is cruel and barbaric, yet have no problem wearing leather or eating mass-produced eggs, milk, and meat, etc. Sigh, indeed.
Hopefully the backlash will die down soon. Enjoy eating your wild-grown, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grass-fed, free-range elk!

[Indian Summer]

Feel free to pass this on Rich. Tell them you just do your grocery shopping a little differently and prefer not to pay people to kill to provide food for you. If they had ever seen a feed lot full of cattle standing knee deep in mud and their own waste they might feel differently.

[CurlyTail]

Congratulations Rich! I don't know if Elk is so good because of the sweat equity I have in or if it just tastes that good. Joe - that ad is a classic!