Quick Tips
- Scout before the season
- Try not to shoot the first sub-300 six-point bull you see
- Do not pass up 320” bulls
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 320"-350" | 360"+ |
On The Ground
Formerly the private Baca Ranch owned by a family from Texas, Valles Caldera National Preserve comprises Unit 6B and is one of the best public areas for hunting mature bull elk. Since it is a Preserve permits were formerly drawn through a different lottery process, but as of 2017 and continuing into future years, all permits will be allocated through the State draw. Hunters may apply for permits through the regular state permit lottery.
Only elk and Merriam turkeys are hunted on the preserve, with 2,500-3,000 elk living in this area. No deer or bear hunting is allowed here. Hunters can apply once for each hunt code.
Terrain
Valles Caldera is Spanish for Valley of the Volcanic Caldron. The 89,216-acre preserve contains most of a 13.7-mile-wide caldera or volcanic basin, which contains fumaroles, hot springs, natural gas seeps and volcanic domes, the largest of which is 11,253-foot Redondo Peak. The domes are covered with trees, contrasting with the grassy valleys between them. The valleys are mostly between 8,400 and 9,000 feet above sea level, while most of the domes rise another 1,000 feet.
Roughly 139 square miles
99.9% public land
Elevations from about 8,400-9,000 feet
Vegetation
The valleys are covered with grasses. Years of overgrazing by cattle have reduced native bunchgrasses, leaving oatgrass, fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and pine dropseed. About 1,650 acres are in wetlands with various rushes and sedges, but hardly any willows, probably due to cattle grazing. Many species of trees are found in the forests, including Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, white fir, aspen, limber pine, juniper, pinyon pine, ponderosa pine and blue spruce. Alder, sagebrush, oak brush and other shrubs grow in places.
Access
Hunters must attend an orientation prior to the hunt and apply for their Hunting Special Use Permit (SUP) which costs $35.
One vehicle is allowed per hunter
Hunters can have up to 5 passengers in their vehicle or however many the vehicle can legally hold, whichever is lower
Vehicles must stay on designated roads
Horseback hunting is allowed
Horses must be fed weed-free pellets
Rifle hunters must wear fluorescent orange
Hunters are not given any specific or extra scouting days. To scout, a hunter must enter the preserve through traditional means and must adhere to rules of access that any member of the public has too
At orientation hunters will be provided a map of the preserve along with areas closed to hunting
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp just outside the preserve on public lands. Camping is allowed in the preserve at a site called Banco Bonito if weather allows at a rate of $50 for five days or $30 for three days. Hunters who want to stay in a motel can drive to Los Alamos, which is about half an hour’s drive from the preserve in good weather. North Road Inn gets good ratings.
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