New Mexico Pronghorn Pronghorn

Unit 22,23

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Pronghorn

The combined Unit 22,23 pronghorn hunt area covers desert grassland and scrub terrain in south-central New Mexico between the Rio Grande and the Sacramento Mountains foothills. Pronghorn use open grassland basins across a large compound unit with BLM public access and private ranch land.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

Where to Find Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Units 22 and 23 pronghorn inhabit open grassland and desert scrub in south-central New Mexico.

Jornada del Muerto Flats

The broad Jornada del Muerto grassland basin between the Fra Cristobal and Oscura mountain ranges holds some of the highest pronghorn densities in the unit. Glass from any elevation advantage across the flat basin.

Desert Scrub Transition

Transition zones between the grassland basin and surrounding mountain foothills provide browse and cover. Animals move through these areas during morning and evening feeding periods.

Stock Tanks and Windmills

Ranch water infrastructure scattered across the unit attracts pronghorn daily in dry weather. Scout tank locations on BLM maps before the season.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Classic desert grassland pronghorn tactics define success in Units 22 and 23.

Basin Glassing

Drive BLM roads bordering the Jornada and glass into the basin systematically. Pronghorn are visible at extreme distances across this open terrain. A quality spotting scope is essential for evaluating buck quality before committing to a stalk.

Water Setup in Dry Years

In dry summers, pronghorn concentrate at reliable water sources. Set up a ground blind near an active stock tank or windmill well before first light for an ambush opportunity.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

Pronghorn rifle success in Units 22,23 combined typically runs 65-80% for hunters with good public land access. Verify current figures in the NMDGF harvest report.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	14	352	4.0%
Archery— Draw	9	41	22.0%
Rifle— Draw	14	390	3.6%
Archery— Draw	9	37	24.3%
Rifle— Draw	5	74	6.8%
Rifle— Draw	3	20	15.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

New Mexico uses a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Every applicant has equal odds each year regardless of past applications. Check the NMDGF Drawing Odds Summary Report for current applicant-to-tag ratios for Units 22,23 combined pronghorn.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

The combined Unit 22/23 pronghorn hunt covers central New Mexico's San Mateo foothills and Plains of San Agustin. We see roughly 1,417 applicants for 165 tags over three years — a tight random draw. Broad high-elevation grasslands produce above-average horn quality.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

Plains of San Agustin pronghorn have earned their reputation.

Open Grasslands (7,000 ft)

The broad San Agustin basin holds family groups year-round.

Yucca Ridges

Low ridges dotted with yucca provide vantage points.

Stock Tank Networks

Active tanks anchor daily movement.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

1,417 applicants vs 165 tags — about 12% overall odds. Rifle success typically 75–85%.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	14	352	4.0%
Archery— Draw	9	41	22.0%
Rifle— Draw	14	390	3.6%
Archery— Draw	9	37	24.3%
Rifle— Draw	5	74	6.8%
Rifle— Draw	3	20	15.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pure random. Nonresident 6% plus 10% outfitter-guided pools. Quality trophy unit makes this a premium random pull.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🚐

RV Sites

Check road conditions to dispersed camping areas.

⛺

Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM/USFS camping throughout the unit.

🛻

Trailer Access

Moderate. Scout main roads before pulling a large rig.

💧

Water

Very limited in the Jornada basin. Carry all water.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Mix of paved, gravel, and dirt roads. 4WD recommended for backcountry access.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Flat to gently rolling desert grassland basin.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Moderate.

🌦️

Weather

Very hot in August/September. Wind is constant across the basin.

📱

Cell Service

Limited in remote areas. Satellite communicator recommended.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Truth or Consequences for full services. Socorro as an alternative.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jornada del Muerto in Units 22,23?

The Jornada del Muerto is a wide desert grassland basin in south-central New Mexico that spans parts of Units 22 and 23, providing extensive open-country pronghorn habitat.

Are 22 and 23 hunted as one pronghorn unit?

Yes. The NMDGF hunt codes combine them. Confirm boundaries in the current RIB.

Is Unit 22/23 a true trophy unit?

By NM standards, yes — 14-plus-inch bucks are realistic in wetter cycles.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

NMDGF Hunting — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt unit overview, Season structure, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-16
NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Species management, GMU eligibility, Season summary · accessed 2026-04-16
2024 Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes, Tag quotas, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-16
2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Info (RIB) — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 22/23 pronghorn boundary, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Pronghorn Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pronghorn management overview, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Socorro Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Public land access, Plains of San Agustin · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 22,23

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

Where to Find Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Jornada del Muerto Flats

Desert Scrub Transition

Stock Tanks and Windmills

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Basin Glassing

Water Setup in Dry Years

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

Open Grasslands (7,000 ft)

Yucca Ridges

Stock Tank Networks

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

High-Point Glassing

Arroyo Stalks

Decoy Work

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

RV Sites

Camp Sites

Trailer Access

Water

Road Conditions

Terrain Difficulty

Hunting Pressure

Weather

Cell Service

Nearest Town

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification

Unit 22,23

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

Where to Find Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Jornada del Muerto Flats

Desert Scrub Transition

Stock Tanks and Windmills

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Units 22,23

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 22,23

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

Open Grasslands (7,000 ft)

Yucca Ridges

Stock Tank Networks

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 22/23

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 17 — Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification