Report: Valles Caldera National Preserve gains visitors, funds
Jared Lusk with a 391 Bull
John & Chrissy JacksonMarch 15, 2007
VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE, N.M. (AP) - The number of visitors to northern New Mexico's Valles Caldera National Preserve has risen 33 percent in three years to nearly 10,000 last year, and revenues are up by 50 percent.
The Valles Caldera Trust on Tuesday posted its fiscal year 2006 report to Congress, showing progress in the two key categories.
When Congress bought the former Baca Ranch in 2000 and formed the 89,000-acre preserve, it mandated that the preserve remain a working ranch and become financially self-sustaining by 2015.
"We are moving in that direction. We've got a ways to go," said Jeffrey Cross, the trust's executive director since last April.
The trust now has 10 full-time employees, down from 15 in 2005.
Among the milestones for the preserve for the year: a successful elk-hunting season that generated the highest revenues so far, $317,365, and a fishing program that attracted 1,686 anglers and earned more than $60,000.
Read the complete article at: Free New Mexican
MY COMMENTS:
I love to see great articles like this. It truly highlights that the dollars raised from hunters are doing something good for all of mankind. The Valles Caldera is one of the most amazing places on this earth for elk. The trophy animals that come out of this preserve and the land that it is on is being supported by hunters! This hunt is a lottery and you must get drawn to hunt in this national preserve. The odds are not the greatest in the country but you can rest assured that the money you spend to apply(25.00 per chance, up to 20 chances per hunt) will be spent protecting the habitat and the wildlife of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Lets think about this for a moment.... You could buy a lottery ticket and have a one in 30 million chance of winning the lottery, or you could buy a lottery ticket to win an elk hunt for some of the biggest bulls in the country and have a one in thousands chance at getting the tag of the year! Sounds like a great opportunity to invest $25.00!
April 7th, 2007 is the last date you can apply for a 2007 hunt so if you are interested, jump on the chance now!
The Valles Caldera
How to apply for an elk hunt in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
The Valles Caldera Trust on Tuesday posted its fiscal year 2006 report to Congress, showing progress in the two key categories.
When Congress bought the former Baca Ranch in 2000 and formed the 89,000-acre preserve, it mandated that the preserve remain a working ranch and become financially self-sustaining by 2015.
"We are moving in that direction. We've got a ways to go," said Jeffrey Cross, the trust's executive director since last April.
The trust now has 10 full-time employees, down from 15 in 2005.
Among the milestones for the preserve for the year: a successful elk-hunting season that generated the highest revenues so far, $317,365, and a fishing program that attracted 1,686 anglers and earned more than $60,000.
Read the complete article at: Free New Mexican
MY COMMENTS:
I love to see great articles like this. It truly highlights that the dollars raised from hunters are doing something good for all of mankind. The Valles Caldera is one of the most amazing places on this earth for elk. The trophy animals that come out of this preserve and the land that it is on is being supported by hunters! This hunt is a lottery and you must get drawn to hunt in this national preserve. The odds are not the greatest in the country but you can rest assured that the money you spend to apply(25.00 per chance, up to 20 chances per hunt) will be spent protecting the habitat and the wildlife of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Lets think about this for a moment.... You could buy a lottery ticket and have a one in 30 million chance of winning the lottery, or you could buy a lottery ticket to win an elk hunt for some of the biggest bulls in the country and have a one in thousands chance at getting the tag of the year! Sounds like a great opportunity to invest $25.00!
April 7th, 2007 is the last date you can apply for a 2007 hunt so if you are interested, jump on the chance now!
The Valles Caldera
How to apply for an elk hunt in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
