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New Mexico Elk
Hunting Units

We guide across some of the best elk country in New Mexico. Here is a unit-by-unit look at the ground we hunt, with seasons, terrain, trophy expectations, and the maps to start your homework.

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Getting Started

The Units We Hunt

Tap a unit for seasons, scouting notes, and maps. Not sure which fits your weapon and dates? We will point you to the right one.

Unit 10 Bugling bulls, earned country

Known for bugling bulls, with a rut hunt hunters describe as one they will talk about for the rest of their lives. Be prepared to cover a lot of ground in rough country. Every opportunity here is earned.

Elk Seasons

Early Elk Muzzleloader: October 10-14

Scouting

Pair BLM and U.S. Forest Service maps with Google Earth and mapping apps like onX to dial in the areas you want to hunt.

Maps

  • BLM: Zuni, Gallup, Grants, and Acoma Pueblo Quads
  • US Forest Service: Cibola National Forest, Mount Taylor District
Unit 13 Primitive-weapon country

A primitive-weapon unit with three muzzleloader seasons through October.

Elk Seasons

Elk Youth Muzzleloader: October 10-14Elk 1st Muzzleloader: October 17-21Elk 2nd Muzzleloader: October 24-28

Scouting

We lean on Google Earth and onX to find water sources and recent burn areas.

Maps

  • BLM: Acoma Pueblo, Magdalena, Fence Lake, Belen, Quemado, and Socorro Quads
  • US Forest Service: Cibola National Forest, Magdalena District
Unit 15 Muzzleloader trophy unit

Elk Seasons

Early Elk Muzzleloader: October 10-14Elk First Muzzleloader: October 17-21Elk Second Muzzleloader: October 21-28

Scouting

Pair BLM and USFS maps with Google Earth and onX to dial in specific areas.

Maps

  • BLM: Quemado and Tularosa Mountains Quads
  • US Forest Service: Gila National Forest
Unit 16A Gila Wilderness rifle

Elk Seasons

Elk Rifle: October 17-21Elk Rifle: October 24-28

Scouting

Pair BLM and USFS maps with Google Earth and onX to dial in specific areas.

Maps

  • BLM: Mogollon Mountains and Tularosa Mountains Quads
  • US Forest Service: Gila National Forest, Gila Wilderness
Unit 16B Gila Wilderness

Scouting

Pair BLM and USFS maps with Google Earth and onX to dial in specific areas.

Maps

  • BLM: Mogollon Mountains and Truth or Consequences Quads
  • US Forest Service: Gila National Forest, Gila Wilderness
Unit 16D Gila National Forest rifle

Elk Seasons

Elk Rifle: October 17-21Elk Rifle: October 24-28

Scouting

Pair BLM and USFS maps with Google Earth and onX to dial in specific areas.

Maps

  • BLM: Tularosa Mountains Quad
  • US Forest Service: Gila National Forest
Unit 17 Big bulls, rugged high country

One of our best. Known to hold some of the biggest bull elk in New Mexico, with muzzleloader-only gun seasons and demanding high-country terrain.

Key Characteristics

  • Holds some of the biggest bulls in New Mexico, producing bulls at or above the 400 inch mark most years
  • A reasonable expectation is a 330 to 350 inch bull in a good moisture year
  • We have taken bulls ranging from 280 to 390 inches
  • Muzzleloaders are the only gun allowed for October and November seasons
  • Very rugged and physically demanding in the higher country, 7,000 to 9,500 feet

Elk Seasons

Archery: September 1-14 and September 15-24Muzzleloader only for gun seasons, October through November

Scouting

Our guides spend a lot of time running trail cams and scouting around water in the early season.

Maps

  • BLM: Magdalena, San Mateo Mountains, Truth or Consequences, and Oscura Mountains Quads
  • US Forest Service: Cibola National Forest, Magdalena District, Apache Kid and Withington Wildernesses
Unit 34 Sacramento Mountains

Scouting

Our guides spend a lot of time running trail cams and scouting around water in the early season.

Maps

  • BLM: Alamogordo and Ruidoso Quads
  • US Forest Service: Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District
Unit 36 Lincoln National Forest

Set in the Lincoln National Forest of southern New Mexico, over 1.1 million acres spanning four mountain ranges, from desert to heavily forested mountains and sub-alpine grasslands.

Elk Seasons

Elk Early Muzzleloader: October 10-14Elk Rifle: October 17-21 and October 31 to November 4

Scouting

Our guides scout this unit regularly and help clients locate bull elk. We also lean on Google Earth and onX for water sources and burn areas.

Maps

  • US Forest Service: Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District

Public-land maps are available from the New Mexico Public Lands Information Center at 1-877-851-8946 or plicmapcenter.org/NM. We recommend pairing them with Google Earth and onX.

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Hunt These Units With LOH

Tell us your weapon, dates, and target and we will match you to the right unit, draw or landowner tag.

Book Your Hunt → or call (575) 315-6107
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