Didn't draw a New Mexico elk tag this year? You’re not alone. With no point system and highly competitive odds, many hunters find themselves tagless after the annual draw. But that doesn’t mean your elk season is over - in fact, your best option might still be on the table.

At LOH Outfitters, we help hunters every year who didn’t draw a tag still chase trophy bulls across New Mexico’s premier elk habitat. Here’s what to do next - and how to keep your elk hunting plans alive.

1. Explore Landowner Tag Opportunities

New Mexico’s Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS) allows qualifying landowners to receive and transfer elk tags for their properties. These landowner tags are:

Not subject to the public draw
Available to both residents and non-residents
Valid for private land only hunts or unit wide hunts in designated Game Management Units (GMUs)

LOH Outfitters works directly with private landowners to secure these tags, giving you legal access to hunt even after missing out on the draw.

2. Consider a Guided Private Land Only Hunt

Landowner tags paired with a guided hunt offer the most streamlined, success-driven option for tagless hunters. With LOH, a private land hunt includes:

Guaranteed elk tag (no draw required)
Access to low-pressure private ranches
Guided hunt with scouting, meals, and accommodations included
High opportunity at bulls scoring 260” to 360”+

These hunts deliver a custom approach to your elk hunt with less pressure.

3. Understand Your Timeline - Move Fast

Landowner tags are limited, and they go fast after draw results are released. Hunters who act quickly have more choice in:

Units and hunt dates
Archery, muzzleloader, or rifle options
Lodge or camp-style accommodations

Waiting just a few weeks can mean missing out entirely. If you’re serious about hunting elk this year or next, now is the time to call to reserve a LOT for the following fall.

Reach out here to get a current list of tag availability and pricing.

4. Plan Ahead for a Premium Experience

One of the hidden benefits of going the landowner tag route? You can begin planning your trip right away. That means:

Booking travel and accommodations early
Training physically for the terrain and elevation
Practicing with your bow, rifle, or muzzleloader in realistic conditions

Elk hunts are intense. Preparing now means you’ll be ready when the opportunity presents itself this fall.

5. Keep the Big Picture in Mind

Yes, draw tags are less expensive. But when you factor in:

Years of applying without drawing
Travel expenses for unsuccessful public land hunts
Time off work and physical prep with no hunt to show for it

Purchasing a landowner tag guarantees your elk hunt in the fall and allows you to make a more efficient & solid plan now!

Final Thoughts: Your Elk Season Isn’t Over Yet

Missing out on the draw doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines. In fact, some of the biggest bulls LOH Outfitters guides each year are taken on landowner tag hunts.

With guaranteed access, experienced guides, and low-pressure elk populations, you’ll put yourself in position for the kind of hunt most people only dream of.

Book Your Landowner Tag Elk Hunt with LOH Outfitters

At LOH Outfitters, we specialize in helping hunters keep their season alive after the draw. We work directly with trusted landowners across New Mexico and offer full-service guided elk hunts in some of the best land in the state.

Contact us today to check tag availability, pricing, and available dates. Let’s get your hunt back on track - and put a bull on the ground this fall.