Hunting unit · Northeast NM
Game Management Units and hunting areas across New Mexico — huntable species, seasons, license and draw requirements, and public access.
Showing 1–16 of 16
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.
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.
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.