Texas Hunting Forum

Sierra Diablo WMA

Posted By: georgec1776

Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/19/12 02:03 PM

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.
Posted By: Creekrunner

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/19/12 03:58 PM

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.
Posted By: georgec1776

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/19/12 04:03 PM

thanks Creekrunner...that's more info than i had before...
Posted By: charliet

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/20/12 12:12 AM

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 !
Posted By: Ranch Dog

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/21/12 09:07 PM

How did you two fellows camp; in your truck, tent?
Posted By: charliet

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/22/12 12:01 AM

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 .
Posted By: georgec1776

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/22/12 03:31 PM

thanks for the comments guys...
Posted By: TrophyHuntingAndFishing

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 10/23/12 01:37 AM

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.
Posted By: copperhead

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 11/01/12 11:07 PM

Been trying for that one as well, let us know how you do and best of luck and watch out for those ankle busters.
Posted By: Hill Country Hunter

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 11/02/12 05:04 AM

Hope you see an elk also.
Posted By: Chick

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 11/27/14 06:07 AM

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"
Posted By: Jkd106

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 11/27/14 02:26 PM

Originally Posted By: Chick
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!
Posted By: Creekrunner

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 11/27/14 03:42 PM

Originally Posted By: Chick
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.
Posted By: H Johnson

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/01/19 12:57 AM

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
Posted By: Creekrunner

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/01/19 01:33 AM

up cheers
Posted By: BOBO the Clown

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/01/19 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by H Johnson
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



Great write up!!!
Posted By: Cajun Raider

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/04/19 10:34 PM

Great write up, pictures, information, thanks
Posted By: aggie-01

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/07/19 07:34 PM

Great write up. I really hope to draw this hunt sometime in my life. I keep putting in for it!
Posted By: Ranch Dog

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/09/19 12:31 PM

Wow, really good write up and great information!
Posted By: NDN98

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/09/19 05:18 PM

H Johnson,

Great Write up!
Posted By: djs303

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/09/19 09:26 PM

H johnson great info, thanks for posting. That hunt is on my bucket list.
Posted By: pigplinker

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/18/19 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by H Johnson
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




welcome 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.
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/18/19 01:35 PM

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.
Posted By: jakebunch

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/18/19 05:27 PM

H, that is a great write up.
Posted By: SenkoSamurai

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/19/19 04:05 PM

Deadline is in October to apply?
Posted By: jeh7mmmag

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/19/19 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by H Johnson
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



Great job on the write up and pictures. Thanks much cheers
Posted By: Tundra

Re: Sierra Diablo WMA - 02/23/19 02:26 AM

Great write up and good info
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