About Our Hunting Area
We are in a very unique and beautiful area in the San Juan Mountains. The Vallecito valley is completely surrounded by national forest and wilderness area. No where you stay when here, you are close to hunting and fishing opportunities.
We are located in game management area 751 but we are close to areas 75, 77 and 771. All Mule Deer tags for these areas are only available through drawing (applications due by early April). Elk archery, second and third seasons are available over the counter. Elk muzzle loader, first and fourth seasons are also only through the draw system.
This area has many Elk and although not known as a trophy area, we still take a lot of nice bulls and cows. This is truly a demanding area to hunt and hunters are advised to be in good physical shape. We do have some easy areas and even some "road hunt" areas but Elk are usually where you don't want to go.
Mule Deer are a different story. This area is known for its monster muley bucks. The Deer usually migrate to lower elevations earlier than the Elk but many 'monster bucks' are harvested in this valley every year. By 'monster', I mean over 30 inches wide!
This area also has great opportunities for small game, fishing and water fowl. We boast a large population of Meriam Turkey, Coyote, Bear, Ducks and Geese. Vallecito has excellent fishing for Trout, Pike, Small Mouth Bass and even a few Walleye. Sometimes hunting for Blue Grouse, Snowshoe Hare and Squirrels can be good depending on their cycles and the amount of predators in the area. You might even get to see the occasional Bobcat or Mountain Lion.
A Few Tips Hunter to Hunter:
- Make prior arrangements to have an outfitter pack out your Elk in case you shoot one far in the time. Cost will be about $200. A 500-800 pound animal is very difficult to carry out, even in quarters. Don't think you can carry the quarters of a bull out on a pack frame, especially if you are going up hill. Remember, horses can go almost any where and mules can go any where.
- Even if you are in perfect shape, if you are coming from a lower altitude, you will get winded very quickly. Drink copious amounts of water to prevent altitude sickness.
- Emergency gear is a must. It is very easy to get lost in the mountains. Carry enough food, water, fire and shelter to last 3 days. Even weather can leave you stranded for days. Have a topo map and 2 compasses. Also have a whistle and signal mirror. If you get lost, stay put and start a fire!!
- Have a GPS and know how to use it (remember...it will not work with heavy cloud cover when you need it the most).
- Don't take a bugle. Even though you may hear bugles, they want nothing to do with you. If you take a cow call, get a Hoochie Mamma as it is the easiest to use for a novice.
- Any Elk (cow, big bull, calf) is a trophy. Shoot the first Elk you see that is legal for your tag (yes, even day one) as you may have only one encounter. I have had dozens of disappointed hunters pass on a cow or small bull wanting a "big" one.
- When you get your Elk or Deer down, urinate all around the tree you hang the quarters in to keep Bears, Lions and Coyotes off your meat. This will work for about 48 hours.
- Forget what you see on the hunting shows...remember it is TV, not real life. Most of the "experts" have never been on a "real" Elk hunt.
- Take lots of pictures.
- Have fun and savor the time you spend in God's Country.
The experience of the hunt is what counts. Harvesting an animal is a bonus!!
Information about our area and hunting tips come from a 15 year professional hunting guide that has been in almost every hunting situation possible. He's our friend and neighbor Mark Thornton who says "I only work so I can afford to hunt!"
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Bear Paw Lodge