New Mexico Pronghorn Mule Deer Elk

Unit 38 (Unit 38)

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Elk

GMU 38 covers the Tularosa Basin and White Sands region of south-central New Mexico. The unit's iconic gypsum dune and creosote flats terrain south of White Sands National Park supports a pronghorn population adapted to extreme desert conditions. BLM and military reservation boundaries define the unit — understanding land ownership is essential before hunting here.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 38

Where to Find Pronghorn in GMU 38

Pronghorn in GMU 38 use the Tularosa Basin creosote flats and the BLM grassland areas south and east of White Sands. The extreme flatness of this unit makes pronghorn visible from extraordinary distances.

Tularosa Basin BLM Flats

The BLM creosote and desert grassland on the basin margins is the primary huntable pronghorn habitat. Glass from any slight terrain rise — even a 5-foot elevation gain dramatically improves visibility across the flats.

Sacaton Grass Swales

Seasonal drainage swales with sacaton grass provide slightly denser cover that pronghorn prefer for resting. Check these drainages carefully with optics before approaching.

How to Hunt GMU 38 Pronghorn

Hunting pronghorn in the Tularosa Basin requires managing extreme heat, long shooting distances, and careful navigation of the military land boundaries within the unit.

Heat Management and Early Starts

August temperatures in GMU 38 exceed 100°F regularly. Start hunting at legal light and plan to be done by 9 AM or in shade near water. Resume at 5 PM. Carry a minimum of 6 liters of water for any field day in this terrain.

Long-Range Shooting Preparation

The extreme flat terrain of GMU 38 regularly produces shooting opportunities at 300–500+ yards. Practice from a prone or supported sitting position at these distances before your hunt. A laser rangefinder is mandatory, not optional, in this unit.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

Pronghorn rifle success in GMU 38 is solid at 50–65% for hunters who properly manage the extreme desert conditions. The wide-open terrain gives clear shooting opportunities, but the heat demands careful physical management throughout the day.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	56	659	8.5%
Archery— Draw	17	58	29.3%
Rifle— Draw	56	688	8.1%
Archery— Draw	17	37	45.9%
Rifle— Draw	9	103	8.7%
Rifle— Draw	9	35	25.7%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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New Mexico's random draw gives all applicants equal odds. Unit 38's extreme desert character means lower application pressure than more comfortable north-central units, potentially offering better draw odds. Check NMDGF draw odds reports for current ratios.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 38

Unit 38 covers the southern Sacramento Mountains in Otero and Eddy counties — high-elevation mixed-conifer country on the Lincoln National Forest. This unit produces exceptional mule deer numbers and is NM's most drawable quality deer hunt, with about 1,151 applicants and 1,614 tags over three seasons.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 38

Sacramento deer use classic southwestern high country.

Mixed-Conifer Ridges

Upper Sacramento ridges hold deer in summer and early season.

Oak-Pine Benches

Mid-elevation oak-pine parks are prime October habitat.

Canyon Rims

Sacramento canyon systems hold bucks on shady rim country.

How to Hunt Unit 38 Mule Deer

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

Rifle success 40–50%. Archery 15–20%. Unit 38 is known for deer numbers and reliable opportunity more than giant racks.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	322	323	99.7%
Archery— Draw	97	68	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	94	55	100.0%
Rifle— Draw	291	273	100.0%
Archery— Draw	86	52	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	80	21	100.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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1,151 applicants for 1,614 tags — over 100% draw rate. Essentially anyone who applies with this as a top choice draws regularly.

Elk Hunting in Unit 38

Unit 38 covers the western Gila Wilderness and surrounding Gila National Forest. Ponderosa, mixed conifer, and oak from 5,500 to 10,500 feet. Over three cycles, 114 tags against 426 applicants. True wilderness elk hunting with 320-class potential.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 38

Remote wilderness habitat.

Mogollon High Country (9,000–10,500 ft)

Remote aspen-conifer holds mature bulls.

Mixed Conifer Benches (7,500–9,000 ft)

North-facing benches with seeps are primary bedding.

Ponderosa Transition (5,500–7,500 ft)

Lower drainages hold late-season elk.

How to Hunt Unit 38 Elk

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle20%

Rifle 30–40%; archery 15–20%. 114 tags against 426 applicants — ~27% odds.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Draw	18	175	10.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pure random. NR capped at 6% (10% outfitter-guided). Resident rifle ~30–35%.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there military land restrictions in GMU 38?

Yes. White Sands Missile Range occupies a significant portion of the broader region and portions may overlap or abut GMU 38. Trespassing on military land is a federal offense. Carefully map the WSMR boundary against GMU 38 using onX or the NMDGF unit map before hunting.

Is Unit 38 worth the tag?

Absolutely for volume opportunity — very high draw odds and abundant deer make it an annual mainstay for many NM hunters.

Can I expect trophy bucks?

Occasional — most harvested bucks are young-to-mid-age. Trophy hunters work remote country or target the pre-rut.

How does Unit 38 compare to Unit 24?

Both border the Gila Wilderness — Unit 38 covers the western side (Mogollon area) and Unit 24 covers the eastern side. Trophy quality is comparable; Unit 38 is typically more remote and less pressured.

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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: Unit boundaries, Season dates, License quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pronghorn management overview, GMU eligibility, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
2024 Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes, Tag quotas by unit, Resident and nonresident limits, Military land closure information · accessed 2026-04-17
2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Info (RIB) — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: GMU 38 deer hunts · accessed 2026-04-17
Lincoln National Forest — Sacramento RD — USDA Forest Service · supports: Sacramento Mountain access, Camping, MVUM · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Mule Deer Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Southern NM deer · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Las Cruces District Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM parcels bordering Lincoln NF · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Elk Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Elk management · accessed 2026-04-17
Gila National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Wilderness access, Road system · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 38 (Unit 38)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 38

Where to Find Pronghorn in GMU 38

Tularosa Basin BLM Flats

Sacaton Grass Swales

How to Hunt GMU 38 Pronghorn

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 38

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 38

Mixed-Conifer Ridges

Oak-Pine Benches

Canyon Rims

How to Hunt Unit 38 Mule Deer

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 38

Where to Find Elk in Unit 38

Mogollon High Country (9,000–10,500 ft)

Mixed Conifer Benches (7,500–9,000 ft)

Ponderosa Transition (5,500–7,500 ft)

How to Hunt Unit 38 Elk

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification