Hunting unit · Southwest NM
Game Management Unit 16D
Gila NF terrain with large open meadows interspersed with tracts of ponderosa pine.
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Gila NF terrain with large open meadows interspersed with tracts of ponderosa pine.
Gila National Forest terrain of forested ridges, canyons, and mesas typical of the Gila high country.
Game Management Unit 17 in Socorro County encompasses the San Mateo and Magdalena Mountains in central New Mexico, with elevations from 6,000 to 10,000 feet ranging from desert flats to rocky, cliff-laden peaks with ponderosa and Douglas fir. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, cougar, and desert bighorn sheep, with tags through the NMDGF draw. About 74% of the unit is public land, much of it Cibola National Forest including the Apache Kid, Withington, and Chupadera wilderness areas; access is mostly via dirt roads, with some canyons reachable only on foot or horseback. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 18 covers mostly flat to rolling desert east and west of the Rio Grande near Socorro in central New Mexico, with steep mesa edges and canyon sections; elevations range from about 5,500 to 7,500 feet, grading from desert grassland to juniper and scrub oak. Pronghorn is the primary draw species, with elk and limited mule deer also available, plus bear and cougar in their zones. About two-thirds of the unit is public land in a BLM/state trust checkerboard; no big-game hunting is allowed on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge within the unit. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, draw requirements, and limits with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 20 covers the rugged desert mountains of Sierra County, southwestern New Mexico — including the San Andres, Caballo, and Fra Cristobal ranges — at elevations roughly 4,100 to 7,000 feet, transitioning from creosote hills to ocotillo and scattered junipers. Huntable species include mule deer, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, cougar, and black bear; desert bighorn is a highly limited once-in-a-lifetime draw. About 65% of the unit is public land; hunters commonly access BLM and state trust lands, with additional options near Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake state parks. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 21B spans the Black Range mountains and valleys to the desert floor in Sierra County, southwestern New Mexico, from roughly 4,000 to 7,800 feet; flat creosote hills rise to mesquite and juniper, with ponderosa pine in the canyon bottoms and at the high peaks. Huntable species include mule deer, Coues deer, elk, pronghorn, javelina, cougar, and black bear under NMDGF zone- and species-specific seasons. About 62% of the unit is public land, with BLM and state trust parcels reached via Black Range Highway 152 and connected dirt roads and trailheads. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 22 in Grant County, southwestern New Mexico, spans contrasting terrain: the northern portion encompasses high Gila Wilderness mountains from 9,000 to 10,658 feet with spruce, fir, and ponderosa pine grading to grassy flats, while the southern portion is flat, barren desert with oak brush and pinyon-juniper. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, cougar, and black bear; bighorn is a highly limited draw, and elk and deer are limited-entry draw hunts. The northern half is mostly public with the eastern two-thirds within the Gila Wilderness; the southern half is largely private. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 23 in Grant County, southwestern New Mexico, ranges from approximately 4,250 feet of desert near Lordsburg to 8,827 feet on Whiterocks Mountain, with desert grasslands rising through mountain mahogany and scrub oak to ponderosa pine and Gambel oak; the unit includes part of the Blue Range Wilderness. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, Coues deer, pronghorn, javelina, cougar, and black bear; GMU 23 is noted for Coues deer, and javelina here is a draw hunt. About 63% of the unit is public land, including Gila National Forest, BLM, and state trust, reached via Highways 90, 78, and dirt roads off Highway 180. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 25 encompasses the rugged Florida Mountains in Luna County, an isolated desert range approximately 15 miles southeast of Deming where Persian ibex were introduced in 1970; the surrounding terrain is open Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Huntable species include Persian ibex, mule deer, javelina, and cougar, with ibex allocated through the NMDGF draw. The ibex hunt area falls within the GMU 25 portion bounded by I-10, the US-Mexico border, NM 11, and the Doña Ana-Luna county line; land is a mix of BLM, state trust, and private. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 27 in Hidalgo County encompasses the Peloncillo Mountains along the Arizona state line, Guadalupe Canyon, and the small Guadalupe range near the Mexican border, with elevations from approximately 4,000 to 6,928 feet. Huntable species include Coues deer, desert mule deer, elk, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, javelina, cougar, and black bear; desert bighorn is a very limited draw, and javelina here is a draw hunt. Land is a mix of BLM, state trust, and private holdings in challenging bootheel terrain, with access complicated by the Arizona and Mexico borders and surrounding private ranches. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 29 in Otero County, south-central New Mexico, covers mostly vast desert plains at elevations roughly 4,500 to 7,280 feet, with the southern end of the Sacramento Mountains in the northwest and isolated volcanic peaks such as Wind Mountain. Huntable species include mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, oryx, and cougar; off-range oryx hunts are allowed on BLM, USFS, and state trust lands and on private land with permission. About 84% of the unit is public land — primarily BLM and state trust — with numerous roads branching from highways (4WD recommended). A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and species-specific regulations with NMDGF.
Northwest San Juan County, the portion of GMU 2 west of the Los Pinos River and north of the San Juan River; barren desert flats ~5,050-5,500 ft rising to low hills under ~7,215 ft, with river-bottom cottonwood/willow and juniper-pinyon higher up.
Game Management Unit 2B in northwestern Rio Arriba County transitions from flat river bottoms and crop fields in the west through rolling hills and short mesas to timbered mountains in the east, with elevations roughly 5,550 to 7,665 feet. The unit is noted for trophy mule deer, with elk, pronghorn, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey also huntable through the NMDGF draw. About 84–85% of the unit is public land with good gravel and dirt road access — some oil-field roads may be gated — with the remainder private and Jicarilla Apache lands. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons in the current NMDGF Rules and Info.
Game Management Unit 2C in San Juan County, northwestern New Mexico, covers a high-desert basin generally from 5,500 to 7,300 feet with sagebrush flats, low hills with scattered pinyon-juniper, sandstone cliffs and dry creek beds, and forested ponderosa pockets on the higher northeastern edge. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable through the NMDGF draw. About 89–90% of the unit is public land, dominated by approximately 403,000 acres of BLM; expect oil-and-gas road infrastructure throughout. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 30 spans mountainous to hilly terrain southeast of Artesia in Eddy County along the Texas border, featuring the rugged Guadalupe and Brokeoff Mountains with rocky arroyos and canyons at elevations roughly 3,300 to 7,500 feet. Huntable species include mule deer, elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, and cougar, with big-game hunts draw-allocated by season and weapon through NMDGF. About three-quarters of the unit is public land — extensive BLM badlands to the east and the Guadalupe Mountains within Lincoln National Forest — while private holdings line the highways and the northeast corner. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, bag limits, and draw requirements with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 31 encompasses the open, largely flat Pecos plains of Lea County in southeastern New Mexico, from shallow swales through the Loco Hills and Mescalero Ridge caprock; desert grassland with mesquite and scattered pinyon/juniper covers elevations roughly 3,000 to 5,800 feet. Mule deer, pronghorn, and cougar are huntable through NMDGF's draw across rifle and archery seasons. About half the unit is public land — the southern half is primarily BLM and the Brantley/Seven Rivers WMA, while the northern half is mostly private; secure landowner permission for private tracts. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and limits with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 32 is a large Chaves County unit in southeastern New Mexico with terrain ranging from flatlands to rolling hills and rough canyons west of Highway 285; low desert scrub and grass give way to pinyon/juniper at elevations roughly 3,200 to 6,300 feet. Huntable species include mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, and cougar, all draw-allocated through NMDGF. Only about 34% of the unit is public land — the majority is private, and access often depends on landowner permission or landowner-specific tags. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and limits with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 33 covers the flat prairies of Chaves County west of the Mescalero Escarpment, which rises sharply to a vast mesa and sand hills; vegetation transitions from shinnery oak, mesquite, and prairie grass below to scattered junipers and ponderosa along the escarpment. Mule deer, pronghorn, and cougar are huntable through the NMDGF draw across rifle and archery seasons. About 58% of the unit is public land, roughly evenly split between state trust and BLM, interspersed with large private holdings; confirm boundaries before hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and limits with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 34 is a high, remote unit centered on the San Mateo Mountains within the Cibola National Forest and Apache Kid Wilderness in south-central New Mexico. Known for backcountry elk and mule deer hunting in lightly traveled country, the unit also offers black bear and pronghorn. The land is mostly Cibola National Forest and designated wilderness, with motorized access limited — hunters should plan for backcountry travel. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult NMDGF for current season dates and draw requirements.
Game Management Unit 36 in Lincoln County sits south of Capitan, where sprawling flats and low hills give way to steep canyons and forested mountains; vegetation transitions from desert shrubland to ponderosa, fir, spruce, and aspen above approximately 7,000 feet. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, black bear, and cougar. Elk, deer, pronghorn, and Barbary sheep are draw-allocated; black bear falls under the NMDGF bear zone with potential harvest-limit closures. About 53% of the unit is public land near the Mescalero Apache Reservation — respect reservation and private boundaries. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, limits, and draw status with NMDGF before hunting.
Game Management Unit 37 in Lincoln County spans the rugged Sacramento Mountains, the Jicarilla Mountains, and part of the Capitan Range, with forested high country grading through pinyon-juniper to flat-to-rolling desert grassland. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, black bear, and cougar; all are draw-allocated, with black bear managed through a bear zone with potential harvest-limit closures. About 39% of the unit is public land, mostly USFS — the majority is private desert flatland where access requires landowner permission. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, limits, and zone status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 38 sits near the geographic center of New Mexico in Torrance County, with mostly flat to gently rising terrain cut by arroyos and mountains, mesas, and canyons around Corona; the Cibola National Forest provides forested high ground at elevations roughly 6,500 to 8,500 feet. Huntable species include pronghorn, mule deer, elk, black bear, cougar, oryx, and Barbary sheep. About two-thirds of the unit is private land; public land includes BLM, state trust, and Cibola NF parcels near Corona and Gallinas Peak, though many public tracts are landlocked. Tags go through the NMDGF draw. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and limits with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 39 covers the high plains and rolling hills of Guadalupe County in east-central New Mexico near the Canadian River drainage, at the northern edge of the Llano Estacado. Mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF. The unit has a higher proportion of private ground typical of the northeast plains — secure landowner permission for private parcels before hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult the current NM Hunting Rules & Information for dates and draw requirements.
Game Management Unit 4 in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, ranges from approximately 6,837 to 10,915 feet across farm fields and sagebrush flats with river bottoms along the Rio Chama, San Juan, Animas, and Los Pinos, rising to pinyon-juniper at higher elevations. Mule deer, elk, black bear, and cougar are huntable; public hunting is concentrated on state wildlife areas such as the Rio Chama SWA. Only about 12% of the unit is public land — the remainder is nearly all private including land bordering the northeast of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, creating significant access challenges. Draw tags are required. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm season dates and draw details with NMDGF.
Shortgrass high plains of Quay County in east-central New Mexico, near the Canadian River breaks.
Game Management Unit 41 covers the shortgrass high plains of Quay County in east-central New Mexico. Mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF. The unit has a substantial proportion of private land; NMDGF has capped private-land pronghorn licenses in GMU 41, so access often requires landowner permission. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult the current NM Hunting Rules & Information for dates and draw requirements.
Game Management Unit 42 spans the Canadian River canyon country and high plains of San Miguel County in northeastern New Mexico, including the Sabinoso Wilderness vicinity and the Mills Canyon breaks. Huntable species include mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, black bear, and cougar under NMDGF zone- and species-specific seasons. The unit has a higher proportion of private land with checkerboarded public parcels; Barbary sheep hunting often relies on landowner permission, with limited public options near the Canadian River Canyon and Mills Canyon areas. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw versus over-the-counter status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 43 covers the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in San Miguel County with forested ridges and deep canyons of the Pecos drainage transitioning to foothills; elevations reach above 13,000 feet in the Pecos Wilderness. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons; most elk licenses go through the public draw. Public land includes Santa Fe National Forest and Pecos Wilderness, with access that can be limited and roadless in wilderness areas, intermixed with private holdings. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 45 covers the rugged east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in San Miguel County with forested high country, canyons, and meadows; portions of the unit were affected by the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire, altering habitat conditions. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons; most elk licenses are issued through the public draw. Large tracts of public Santa Fe National Forest and Pecos Wilderness provide hunting access, with limited to no road access within wilderness and private land intermixed. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Forested east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Mora County — high ridges, canyons and foothill transition.
Game Management Unit 47 spans transitional terrain in Mora County from the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Canadian River canyon and high plains, including the Mills Canyon area. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF. The unit has a higher proportion of private land with checkerboarded public parcels including Kiowa National Grassland near Mills Canyon — many hunts require landowner permission. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw versus over-the-counter status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 48 covers the rugged, forested east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Mora County, northeastern New Mexico; portions of the unit were affected by the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire, altering habitat conditions. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF; most elk licenses go through the public draw. Large tracts of public Santa Fe National Forest and Pecos Wilderness provide hunting access, intermixed with private land and limited road access in wilderness areas. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Taos County unit (~6,900-11,000 ft) of steep forested mountains with several peaks above 10,000 ft, forested below timberline with foothills and flats in the corners.
Game Management Unit 50 is a long, narrow Taos County unit running from Española to the Colorado border at elevations from approximately 5,600 to 9,475 feet, mixing gently rolling mountains and foothills with extensive flats of pinyon-juniper, ponderosa, and oak brush. Huntable species include mule deer, elk, pronghorn, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar, with draw tags required for most big game. About 68% of the unit is public land managed by BLM, Carson National Forest, and state agencies; private and tribal lands limit access in portions of the unit. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons and draw deadlines with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 51A in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, spans elevations from approximately 6,000 to 9,000 feet across gently rolling mountains and mesas, with steeper ground above drainages and sandstone cliffs along the Chama River. Elk, mule deer, black bear, and cougar are huntable here; the unit produces good bull elk. About 86% of the land is public — a mix of Carson National Forest, BLM, and state land including the eastern Chama River Wilderness — with some private holdings. Draw tags are required for elk and deer. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons and draw deadlines with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 51B in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, spans elevations from approximately 6,200 to 8,100 feet across rolling mountains and mesas, with the steepest terrain above river drainages, sandstone cliffs along the Chama, and pinyon-juniper grading to ponderosa above roughly 7,500 feet. Elk, mule deer, black bear, and cougar are huntable through the NMDGF draw. About 66% of the unit is public land — a mix of BLM, state, and Forest Service land including the eastern Chama River Wilderness (no vehicle access) — while private land in the northeast limits access. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons and draw deadlines with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 52 in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, encompasses high open plains from approximately 8,100 to 9,100 feet rising above 10,900 feet, with prairies and aspen-conifer hillsides surrounding San Antonio Mountain (10,908 ft) and the Cruces Basin Wilderness. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable through the NMDGF draw. About 92% of the unit is public land — primarily Carson National Forest including the Cruces Basin Wilderness — with good road access; approximately 8% is private in small tracts along rivers and roads. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons and draw deadlines with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 53 spans an extraordinary elevation range in Taos County — from approximately 6,000 feet of prairie to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest point — including the Latir Mountains, Latir Peak Wilderness, and alpine tundra above roughly 11,700 feet. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar; bighorn sheep is a highly limited draw. About 47% of the unit is public land within the Carson National Forest; significant private holdings near Taos, Valdez, and Sunshine Valley limit access, and the southern portion lies within Taos Pueblo and is closed to public hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm all seasons and draw requirements with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 54 covers the foothills and mesa country of Colfax County on the eastern flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, draining toward the Canadian River. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF. Land ownership is a mix of private ranchland and some public parcels — many hunts in northeast New Mexico units require landowner permission on private land. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Sub-unit of GMU 55 in Colfax County — foothills, mesas and canyons on the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Game Management Unit 55B is a sub-unit of GMU 55 in Colfax County covering foothills, mesas, and canyons on the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northeastern New Mexico. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable under NMDGF zone- and species-specific seasons. Land ownership is predominantly private ranchland with some public parcels — obtain landowner permission where applicable. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 56 covers the high plains, mesas, and grassland of Colfax County in the upper Canadian River country of northeastern New Mexico. Huntable species include pronghorn, elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey under zone- and species-specific seasons; northeastern New Mexico carries the most pronghorn draw licenses available statewide. Public land includes Kiowa National Grassland (USFS) and state trust parcels intermingled with private land — public parcels are checkerboarded, so plan access carefully. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 57 covers the high plains, mesas, and grassland of Colfax County in the upper Canadian River region of northeastern New Mexico. Huntable species include pronghorn, elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey under zone- and species-specific seasons; note that NMDGF has capped private-land pronghorn licenses in GMU 57. Land ownership is a mix of private ranchland, state trust land, and checkerboarded Kiowa National Grassland (USFS) parcels. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 58 covers the shortgrass high plains of Union County in far northeastern New Mexico, near the Kiowa/Rita Blanca grasslands and the Oklahoma/Texas border country. Pronghorn, mule deer, black bear, and cougar are huntable under zone- and species-specific seasons managed by NMDGF; GMU 58 is one of the stronger northeast pronghorn units. Public land includes Kiowa National Grassland (USFS, Clayton District) parcels intermingled with private and state trust land — public ground is checkerboarded, so plan access carefully. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm dates and draw status with the current NM Hunting Rules & Information.
Game Management Unit 59 covers the shortgrass high plains of Union County in the far northeastern corner of New Mexico, within the Kiowa/Rita Blanca grassland country. Mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable under NMDGF zone- and species-specific seasons. Public land includes Kiowa National Grassland (USFS, Clayton District) parcels intermingled with private and state trust land — confirm parcel access before hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult the current NM Hunting Rules & Information for dates and draw requirements.
Game Management Unit 5A in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico, ranges from approximately 6,920 to 7,704 feet across desert grasslands and sagebrush flats rising through pinyon-juniper and ponderosa foothills to aspen ridges and mesas with rimrock. Mule deer, elk, black bear, and cougar are huntable here; public access is limited, with only about 16% public land consisting of scattered BLM strips — the majority is private, creating access challenges. Draw tags are required for most species. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm seasons and draw with NMDGF.
Heavily forested, mountainous Rio Arriba unit (~6,000-9,000 ft) with spruce-fir-aspen high country, ponderosa and oak brush mid-slopes, steep canyons, hogbacks, and the Rio Chama Wilderness.
Game Management Unit 6A in Sandoval County covers the western Jemez Mountains, San Pedro Mountains, and Sierra Nacimiento foothills in central New Mexico, from approximately 5,050 to 10,601 feet elevation; the unit is heavily forested above 7,500 feet with sage and pinyon/juniper in the lower foothills. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, Merriam's turkey, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, with most big-game tags through the NMDGF draw. About 48% is public land via the Santa Fe National Forest; private land on the western edge and Jemez Pueblo lands in the south restrict access in some areas. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult NMDGF for current season dates and deadlines.
Game Management Unit 6B is the Valles Caldera National Preserve in Sandoval County — a volcanic caldera roughly 13.7 miles wide with valley floors between 8,400 and 9,000 feet and domes rising approximately 1,000 feet higher, covered by spruce, fir, aspen, and ponderosa pine. Only elk and Merriam's turkey may be hunted here through the NMDGF draw; a Hunting Special Use Permit, an entrance fee, and a mandatory hunter orientation are all required before hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Check NMDGF for current dates and draw details.
Game Management Unit 6C in Los Alamos County, north-central New Mexico, spans steep wooded canyons and foothills in the Jemez Mountains from approximately 6,500 to 8,500 feet, bordered by the Valles Caldera National Preserve on three sides and Bandelier National Monument. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar, with most tags through the NMDGF draw. About 64% of the unit is public land — a patchwork of Santa Fe National Forest, BLM, and state lands — while private holdings include tribal land, national monuments, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult NMDGF for current dates and draw requirements.
Game Management Unit 7 in San Juan County, northwestern New Mexico, spans approximately 5,500 to 7,750 feet: a forested northern section of ponderosa and pinyon-juniper with oak-brush understory, rimrock, and cliffs transitions to dry arid desert with wide arroyos, low ridges, and mesas in the south. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, and cougar are huntable through NMDGF's limited-entry draw system. About 39–40% of the unit is public land, including BLM and National Forest parcels, with the balance largely private. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult NMDGF for current dates and draw codes.
Santa Fe County unit (~7,610-10,678 ft) centered on the steep, rugged Sandia Mountains with the Ortiz and San Pedro ranges, spruce-fir-aspen on upper slopes and pinyon-juniper below.
Cibola County around Mount Taylor (highest peak in the Cibola NF, part of the San Mateo Mountains), ~5,000-11,000 ft: flat desert grasslands at the base rising through pinyon-juniper and ponderosa mesas to aspen, fir and grassy meadows on the upper mountain.
Gavilan Canyon in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the NM Highway 150 crossing upstream to its headwaters. The stream supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
A museum that happens to sell its collection: an adobe landmark near Canyon Road hung with Taos Society founders, O'Keeffe, and major Western and wildlife artists. Free to wander, quiet on weekday mornings, and a serious art fix even if your budget stops at the postcard rack.
The 21,000-acre Abiquiú retreat where Georgia O'Keeffe painted Cerro Pedernal and the red cliffs — hike Chimney Rock or Kitchen Mesa, take the O'Keeffe landscape tour, and recognize half her catalog from the parking lot. Day passes and guided tours available.
Stone rooms built into five caves above Cliff Dweller Canyon, home to Mogollon families in the 1280s — and you can still walk through them on a one-mile loop. Getting there is the adventure: NM-15 from Silver City is 44 slow, switchbacked miles into the Gila, so give it two hours and make a day of it.
A riparian oasis 20 miles north of Lordsburg with one of the highest bird diversities in the state. The river offers canoeing or rafting during spring runoff, hunting, and year-round fishing and camping; it contains smallmouth bass and several catfish species.
Gila Lower Box Canyon is a riparian recreation area managed by the BLM Las Cruces District in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, located 20 miles north of Lordsburg. Access requires 4-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles on designated County Road routes. The area supports approximately 200 bird species and provides year-round fishing for smallmouth bass and catfish, camping, and wildlife viewing. Multiple river access points at Nichol's Canyon (3.5 miles), Fisherman's Point (6 miles), and Spring-on-the-Bluff (8 miles) lead to the Gila River canyon. Native riparian vegetation (cottonwood, willows) has re-established since livestock removal in 1990. Canoeing and rafting are possible during spring runoff.
The Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area is located in southwestern New Mexico about 20 miles northwest of Lordsburg in Hidalgo County, managed by the BLM Las Cruces Field Office. The Gila River has carved a 5-mile-long canyon up to 600 feet deep, creating the "Lower Box," a riparian oasis heavily vegetated with ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore, and willow. The area supports 265 bird species, 67 mammal species, 12 amphibian species, and 54 reptile species, making it one of New Mexico's premier bird-watching destinations. The WSA contains petroglyphs and rock shelters reflecting the area's cultural heritage.