New Mexico Pronghorn Pronghorn Mule Deer Elk

Unit 39

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Elk

Unit 39 covers the broad desert flats and grassland of the Chihuahuan Desert in south-central New Mexico north of Las Cruces. Pronghorn inhabit flat to gently rolling terrain with excellent visibility across open shortgrass and desert scrub. BLM public land provides good access in this accessible southern New Mexico unit.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 39

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 39

Unit 39 pronghorn roam classic Chihuahuan Desert grassland and scrub terrain north of Las Cruces.

Shortgrass Desert Flats

Open shortgrass and desert annual flats hold the highest pronghorn densities. Wide-open areas where animals are visible from miles away on clear mornings.

Creosote and Scrub Flats

Scattered creosote, cholla, and desert scrub provide minimal cover and browse. Pronghorn use these areas for midday shade and foraging throughout the day.

Playa Basins

Seasonal playa basins with lush annual growth after monsoon rains are high-value forage areas. Scout these before the season.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 39

Unit 39 is accessible desert pronghorn hunting near Las Cruces.

Vehicle-Based Glassing

Drive BLM roads and glass from the vehicle across wide desert basins. The flat terrain allows efficient coverage of large areas before committing to ground-level stalks.

Rut Decoying

September rut makes Unit 39 bucks vulnerable to decoys and calls on open desert flats. Set up a decoy and challenge call in open terrain visible to identified buck groups. Be prepared for aggressive buck responses.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

Unit 39 pronghorn rifle success runs 65-80% when hunters access BLM public land efficiently. The open terrain and accessible location make this a high-success unit for prepared hunters. Verify current figures in the NMDGF harvest report.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	27	361	7.5%
Archery— Draw	5	54	9.3%
Rifle— Draw	27	355	7.6%
Archery— Draw	5	42	11.9%
Rifle— Draw	5	63	7.9%
Rifle— Draw	5	15	33.3%

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 Unit 39 pronghorn.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 39

Unit 39 covers east-central New Mexico pronghorn country around Fort Sumner and Vaughn. We see roughly 1,328 applicants for 171 tags over three years. Mostly private ranch ground with public-draw tags and A-PLUS landowner tags available.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 39

Unit 39 pronghorn live in classic eastern NM ranch country.

Short-Grass Pastures

Cattle pastures hold family groups year-round.

Shinnery Oak Edges

Edge cover supports territorial bucks.

Tank Complexes

Windmill-tank networks define daily movement.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 39

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

1,328 applicants vs 171 tags — about 13% overall odds. Rifle success typically 70–80%.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	27	361	7.5%
Archery— Draw	5	54	9.3%
Rifle— Draw	27	355	7.6%
Archery— Draw	5	42	11.9%
Rifle— Draw	5	63	7.9%
Rifle— Draw	5	15	33.3%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pure random. Nonresident 6% plus 10% outfitter-guided pools. A-PLUS landowner tags provide an alternative route.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 39

Unit 39 is another high-tag eastern-NM mule deer unit with pinyon-juniper canyons, mesa breaks, and ranch-ag transitions. Three-year data: 386 tags against 331 applicants — essentially a guaranteed draw. Canyon and ag-edge hunting define the opportunity.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 39

Unit 39 deer hold in the classic canyon-and-PJ pattern of eastern NM.

Mesa Edges and Rim Country

Mature bucks bed just below mesa rims and feed on broken country benches. Glass rims at first light with a tripod and 10-12x binoculars.

Ranch Ag-Edges

Wheat and alfalfa circles adjacent to canyon country pull bucks at night. State trust parcels near ag provide the best public access to these patterns.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 39

Our approach: glass hard from vehicles in the morning, still-hunt PJ at midday, and glass again into dark.

Vehicle-Based Glassing Loop

Run a 15-20 mile loop of county and BLM roads, stopping at every vantage. This covers more ground in three hours than hiking will in a day.

Still-Hunt the Bedding

Once we locate a group, we circle downwind and slow-hunt into the bedding cover. Juniper pockets 80-120 yards across are prime.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

With 386 tags issued against 331 applicants over three years, Unit 39 issues effectively a guaranteed draw. Rifle-season mule deer success rates in eastern NM average 35-45%.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	76	100	76.0%
Archery— Draw	40	9	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	40	14	100.0%
Rifle— Draw	66	70	94.3%
Archery— Draw	27	14	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	20	12	100.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pure random draw, but with more tags than applicants Unit 39 has functioned as a guaranteed-draw unit recently. Nonresident hunters still fall under the 6% (10% outfitter-guided) cap.

Elk Hunting in Unit 39

Unit 39 covers the Jemez Mountains and the rim country surrounding the Valles Caldera National Preserve in Sandoval County. This volcanic plateau holds one of New Mexico's most recognizable elk herds — bulls here are large-bodied, and the scenic caldera meadows are as productive as any elk habitat in the Southwest. Tags are highly competitive, typically requiring 8–12+ preference points for nonresidents, but the quality and scenery justify the wait.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 39

Unit 39 elk country centers on the volcanic Jemez Mountains and the Valles Caldera, a 13-mile-wide ancient caldera filled with lush mountain meadows fed by the Jemez River headwaters. Elk densities here are exceptional by New Mexico standards.

Valles Caldera Meadows

The broad grassland valles (Valle Grande, Valle Toledo, Valle San Antonio) within and adjacent to the Caldera support large elk concentrations from summer through the October rut. Cows and calves summer high; bulls stage along timber edges and push into meadows during the rut.

Santa Fe National Forest — Jemez Mountains

The dense mixed conifer and spruce-fir forest on the Jemez plateau provides thermal cover and security habitat. Elk move between forest cover and open parklands at dawn and dusk. Logging roads and old burns on the national forest create productive hunting edges.

Redondo Peak Slopes

The slopes below Redondo Peak (11,254 ft) funnel elk moving between the upper caldera and lower timber. Glass these transition zones at first and last light during the September–October window.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 39

Unit 39 elk hunting demands physical fitness — the terrain ranges from 7,000 feet on the canyon floors to over 11,000 feet on the Jemez plateau. Access involves a mix of Santa Fe National Forest roads and permitted entry via the Valles Caldera boundary.

Rut Calling

The September bugling season in Unit 39 is among the most productive in New Mexico. Set up on north-facing slopes with heavy timber above a meadow edge. Cow calls and light bugling draw bulls out of timber and into openings at first light. The Valles Caldera area is renowned for aggressive bull behavior during the peak rut (Sept 20–Oct 5 historically).

Spot-and-Stalk on Forest Edges

After the rut, bulls become more reclusive. Glass from high vantage points across burned areas and meadow edges. Once a bull is located, use the timber to conceal your approach and work crosswind. Morning thermals pull upslope — approach from above in the afternoon.

Archery vs. Rifle Strategy

Archery hunters draw significantly better odds. Archery seasons open in early September when bulls are still in bachelor groups transitioning into rut behavior — an excellent time to locate a trophy bull before rifle pressure increases.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 39 elk harvests are tracked by NMDGF. Rifle hunters in the Jemez typically see 50–70% success rates on mature bull tags when conditions are favorable. Cow tags see higher harvest efficiency. See the Draw Odds chart for current quota data.

Elk Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

Search New-mexico Draw Odds

Unit 39 is one of New Mexico's most coveted elk units due to the Valles Caldera setting and quality bulls. Nonresident applicants should expect 8–12+ preference-point years for bull tags; resident competition is also stiff for the limited mature bull licenses. Cow elk tags and some archery licenses draw with fewer points. Check the live Draw Odds chart for current applicant pressure and tag allocation by license type.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Check road conditions to dispersed camping areas.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM/USFS camping throughout the unit.

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Trailer Access

Moderate. Scout main roads before pulling a large rig.

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Water

Very limited. Carry all water.

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Road Conditions

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

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Flat desert terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Proximity to Las Cruces and El Paso means competition during opener.

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Weather

Very hot early season (90-100F in August/September). Monsoon moisture possible.

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Cell Service

Limited in remote areas. Satellite communicator recommended.

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Nearest Town

Las Cruces for full services. Hatch or Radium Springs for basic supplies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 39 a good first pronghorn unit in New Mexico?

Yes. Unit 39 near Las Cruces offers accessible terrain, reasonable draw odds, and good success rates — making it a solid choice for hunters new to New Mexico antelope hunting.

Should I apply for A-PLUS tags in Unit 39?

If you can work with a landowner, yes. A-PLUS landowner tags for Unit 39 are a valid alternative to the public draw and often have better access.

How much public land is in Unit 39?

Limited. Most ground is private ranch. Focus on state trust parcels and carefully verified public-draw access agreements.

Do I need preference points for NM Unit 39 mule deer?

No. New Mexico has no point system. The draw is pure random — first-time applicants have the same odds as anyone else.

Can I hunt elk inside Valles Caldera National Preserve?

Yes — a portion of the preserve is open to hunting under a permit system coordinated between NMDGF and the National Park Service. Hunters must possess the appropriate NMDGF license and follow preserve-specific rules. Access, parking, and camping inside the Caldera boundary are regulated separately from the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest.

How many preference points do I need for a Unit 39 bull elk tag?

Point requirements fluctuate with applicant pressure and quota changes. Nonresidents have historically needed 8–12+ preference points for mature bull tags. Consult the current NMDGF draw odds report and the ProHunt Draw Odds tool for the most up-to-date statistics before planning your application strategy.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

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 39 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
NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw rules, A-PLUS landowner tags · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Deer Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer biology, Unit-level management · accessed 2026-04-17
New Mexico 2025-26 Big Game Hunting Rules & Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 39 elk season dates, Tag quotas, License structure · accessed 2026-04-18
Valles Caldera National Preserve — Hunting — Valles Caldera National Preserve (National Park Service) · supports: Preserve hunting regulations, Public access rules, Elk population · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 39

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 39

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 39

Shortgrass Desert Flats

Creosote and Scrub Flats

Playa Basins

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 39

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 39

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 39

Short-Grass Pastures

Shinnery Oak Edges

Tank Complexes

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 39

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 39

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 39

Mesa Edges and Rim Country

Ranch Ag-Edges

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 39

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 39

Where to Find Elk in Unit 39

Valles Caldera Meadows

Santa Fe National Forest — Jemez Mountains

Redondo Peak Slopes

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 39

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

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Unit 42 — Elk

Unit 55 — Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification