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Sierra Diablo WMA
#3674157
10/19/12 02:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
georgec1776
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150 |
i have drawn an archery mule deer hunt at Sierra Diablo WMA in West Texas the middle of November. Contacted the State guy there but could get NO info from him about maps, size of the place, size of the compartments to hunt, nothing that would help me to plan my hunt. has anyone else hunted there that could help me out? thanks.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#3674430
10/19/12 03:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269 |
I drew a rifle hunt and hunted there in '08; 'killed a decent Texas mulie. It is a long drive, but an interesting place once you get in there. The pens, now unused, that the state built to protect the sheep during the reintroduction beginning are really impressive. The biologist called them the velociraptor pens.
My memory is fading, but I know there are at least 3 compartments, maybe 4. Number 1, on the north, is the roughest, but the biggest. None of the other guys (there were only 3 others and 2 wanted to hunt one compartment together) volunteered for 1, so I did. The Biologist instructed us to not wait if we see a decent fork horn, ear width. The first day I didn't get very far down the jeep road before I glassed one decent mulie with an "askari" younger buck. I stalked through a draw and around a point, saw the younger one and the horns of the older one that was laying down. Waited about 10 minutes with the rifle on the shooting sticks. Finally the young buck got nervous enough to make the older one stand up. I saw forks, decent mass, brow tines and ear width. Bang, and it was over. I cleaned him and then went back to the pickup that I parked by the big radio tower and called his cell to ask if he could bring his jeep and help me drag it. He was a very nice young man that helped out a lot. There's a decent barn with block and tackle for you to quarter your kill, water, etc. There were some saws there, but I used my own.
You do have to stay until the end of the hunt, no matter when you tag out, but you're free to explore your compartment.
If you have a jeep or similar vehicle, I'd try to take that. I never got as far as I wanted exploring in #1. I'm in decent shape, can hike, and I'm confident in my compass/GPS skills, but that is big country out there. I know it's hard to get enough primitive camping stuff in a small vehicle and you can't pull a trailer in there. Think food and warmth. You could collect firewood in your compartment.
It may be different on an archery hunt, but they also let you shoot an either sex elk. They want them out of there. But again, where do you put it, if you're in a small vehicle? I didn't see any elk and I think they just drift through the area occassionally, but since '08 a herd might have taken up residence. 'Never caught a glimpse of the sheep either, but that's something I'd definitely try to see. I did see plenty of mulies though and 2 of the 3 other guys also shot good deer.
The southern compartments are more open and easier to get around. A pickup and a game cart and/or a buddy carrying would work fine.
'Hope this helps, have a great hunt.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: Creekrunner]
#3674445
10/19/12 04:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
georgec1776
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150 |
thanks Creekrunner...that's more info than i had before...
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#3675510
10/20/12 12:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251
charliet
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251 |
I hunted the north unit also. I think it was in 2002 . It was the first year that they started up the hunts again . What was said about the north unit is very true . Rough rough country . The first afternoon hunt I worked my way back in there saw serveral small bucks and does . about an hour before dark and at least a two hour walk back to my truck , I spot a group of about six or eight deer on the west slope shining in the setting sunlight . I stayed untill almost dark and put them to bed . Next morning I was close to them around day break. Set up spotting scope and watched them start their morning ,two small fork horns and one very nice ten point. Took me from about 8 am till noon to get into position . I made about a 250 yard shot on the big ten and it was over.Called Scott the biologist on the cell and he and Robert were on teir way with a mule toget him out.To make a long story short we got back to camp around midnight . Deer scored 160 and 7/8 . As you get into the north unit there was a water guzzler about 3/4 of a mile in . Saw quite a few deer around this area. Take your camera very scenic country. On the east side there is a ridge that runs north south for miles, that drops off 1000 ft to the desert floor. You can see for ever.I also saw a small group of sheep around and above the guzzler. You sir are in for a treat enjoy !
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: charliet]
#3679313
10/21/12 09:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,113
Ranch Dog
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,113 |
How did you two fellows camp; in your truck, tent?
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: Ranch Dog]
#3679738
10/22/12 12:01 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251
charliet
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251 |
I tent camped . 2nd night a norther blew in and sleet and ice was all over everything in the am .This was the first week of December .
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: charliet]
#3681386
10/22/12 03:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
georgec1776
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150 |
thanks for the comments guys...
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#3683293
10/23/12 01:37 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 101
TrophyHuntingAndFishing
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 101 |
Congrats! Been applying for that hunt several years now (nothing but pref points to show for it). Looking forward to seeing how it goes! I think I read in the book that there are elk out there too.
Last edited by TrophyHuntingAndFishing; 10/23/12 02:00 AM.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: TrophyHuntingAndFishing]
#3714772
11/01/12 11:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,342
copperhead
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,342 |
Been trying for that one as well, let us know how you do and best of luck and watch out for those ankle busters.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: copperhead]
#3715811
11/02/12 05:04 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,181
Hill Country Hunter
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,181 |
Hope you see an elk also.
Psalm 3:3 - But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#5445446
11/27/14 06:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 17
Chick
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 17 |
I called out there to make inquiries with the TP&W folks there, and got someone who sounded mad that I would call. Left me with "if you don't have a 4WD, don't come out here"
Life Member of the NRA and the TSRA
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: Chick]
#5445673
11/27/14 02:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,466
Jkd106
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,466 |
I called out there to make inquiries with the TP&W folks there, and got someone who sounded mad that I would call. Left me with "if you don't have a 4WD, don't come out here" The world is full of lazy people, who get mad when you ask them to do their job!
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: Chick]
#5445822
11/27/14 03:42 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269 |
I called out there to make inquiries with the TP&W folks there, and got someone who sounded mad that I would call. Left me with "if you don't have a 4WD, don't come out here" I probably still have the biologist's contact info, email, etc. He ran my hunt out there and was a very personable young man. If you want to try that, just PM me. That's hard country out there and folks either would give you the shirt off their back or are full-time jerks. Mix in a state employee and it's a real crap shoot.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7420991
02/01/19 12:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1
H Johnson
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1 |
After reading the info above, I decided to add my experience at Sierra Diablo WMA to add some details and pictures to help future draw winners! I appreciated what I learned above... there's definitely not much info out there! Thanks! Link to blog: Sierra Diablo Hunt 2019
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7421029
02/01/19 01:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,269 |
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: H Johnson]
#7421032
02/01/19 01:37 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465 |
After reading the info above, I decided to add my experience at Sierra Diablo WMA to add some details and pictures to help future draw winners! I appreciated what I learned above... there's definitely not much info out there! Thanks! Link to blog: Sierra Diablo Hunt 2019Great write up!!!
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7424653
02/04/19 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,096
Cajun Raider
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,096 |
Great write up, pictures, information, thanks
Don't talk the talk if you didn't walk the walk.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7427278
02/07/19 07:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
aggie-01
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122 |
Great write up. I really hope to draw this hunt sometime in my life. I keep putting in for it!
Mitch
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7428843
02/09/19 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,113
Ranch Dog
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,113 |
Wow, really good write up and great information!
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7429076
02/09/19 05:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,010
NDN98
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,010 |
H Johnson,
Great Write up!
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7429269
02/09/19 09:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 629
djs303
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 629 |
H johnson great info, thanks for posting. That hunt is on my bucket list.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: H Johnson]
#7437079
02/18/19 10:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,708
pigplinker
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,708 |
After reading the info above, I decided to add my experience at Sierra Diablo WMA to add some details and pictures to help future draw winners! I appreciated what I learned above... there's definitely not much info out there! Thanks! Link to blog: Sierra Diablo Hunt 2019 Thanks for the write up. I have always dreamed of getting drawn, but I have lucked out with other draws. It looks as good as a person could dream for that area. Beautiful country.
Last edited by pigplinker; 02/18/19 10:31 AM.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7437122
02/18/19 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
A friend of mine bow hunted there a few years ago. Not sure which compartment. He hunted by a guzzler and killed his first Texas mule deer.
Last edited by Erathkid; 02/18/19 01:35 PM.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7437421
02/18/19 05:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,088
jakebunch
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,088 |
H, that is a great write up.
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Re: Sierra Diablo WMA
[Re: georgec1776]
#7438471
02/19/19 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548
SenkoSamurai
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548 |
Deadline is in October to apply?
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