New Mexico Pronghorn Mule Deer Elk

Unit 42 (42)

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Elk

Unit 42 is a high-tag pronghorn unit in the shortgrass prairie country of east-central New Mexico. Rolling grasslands, scattered windmill tanks, and a mix of state trust land, BLM, and ranch-controlled access define the hunt. With 148 tags drawn across the last three seasons against 360 applicants, this is one of the state's more available speed-goat units.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 42

Unit 42 pronghorn concentrate around reliable water and the best forage patches of the shortgrass prairie.

Windmill Tanks and Stock Ponds

Pronghorn return to the same tanks daily in late summer and early fall. Scout tanks on BLM and state trust sections a week before the opener to locate consistent groups.

Prairie Edges and Two-Tracks

Bucks hold on the grassland-shrub edge where sage and yucca break up the plains. Driving county roads at first light typically turns up multiple herds before the heat pushes them into shade.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 42

We hunt Unit 42 with a glass-first, stalk-second approach on public grasslands.

Glass from Vehicles at Dawn

Pronghorn are highly visible on these plains. A 10x binocular and truck-window stop-and-glass routine covers more ground than still-hunting and quickly tells us which herds hold shooter bucks.

Terrain Stalks to Rifle Range

Once we pick a buck, we use rolling contours, dry washes, and yucca breaks to close to 300-400 yards. Pronghorn eyesight is the equivalent of 8x binoculars, so we keep the sun at our back and the wind in our face.

Decoying During the Rut

Late-season rut hunts respond well to a 2D buck decoy. A territorial buck will often close inside 100 yards when he thinks a rival has entered his harem.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

Recent three-year draw data shows 148 tags issued against 360 applicants (roughly 41% draw probability overall). Rifle success on NM prairie pronghorn units in this region typically runs 70-85% given the open terrain and abundance of water-based pattern hunting.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	19	107	17.8%
Archery— Draw	5	11	45.5%
Rifle— Draw	14	100	14.0%
Archery— Draw	4	6	66.7%
Rifle— Draw	7	20	35.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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New Mexico runs a pure random draw — no preference or bonus points. Nonresidents compete within a 6% quota, or 10% if applying with an outfitter. Unit 42's 41% overall draw probability over the last three seasons makes it one of the more attainable pronghorn tags in the state.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 42

Unit 42 mule deer hunting spans eastern NM grassland-and-canyon country. Three-year draw data: 345 tags / 283 applicants — essentially guaranteed draw. Canyon breaks, ranch ag-edges, and scattered state trust parcels make up the public opportunity.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 42

Unit 42 mule deer use canyon breaks and ag-edge cover.

Canyon Rims

Bucks bed in the juniper-choked upper canyons and feed on rim benches at dawn. Glass both sides of a canyon from a mid-level vantage.

Ag-Adjacent State Trust

State trust sections adjacent to dryland wheat fields can be gold during the November rut.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 42

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

With 345 tags and 283 applicants over three years, this is a guaranteed-draw unit. Rifle success on eastern NM mule deer typically runs 30-45%.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	10	11	90.9%
Archery— Draw	10	8	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	10	10	100.0%
Rifle— Draw	76	68	100.0%
Archery— Draw	13	6	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	11	5	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pure random draw. More tags than applicants means every applicant typically draws. NR cap rules still apply at 6% / 10%.

Elk Hunting in Unit 42

Unit 42 encompasses the high Sacramento Mountains in Lincoln County, centered around Cloudcroft and the Lincoln National Forest. This is one of southern New Mexico's premier elk units — the elevation tops out above 9,000 feet, and the mixed-conifer forest and high mountain meadows hold a healthy resident elk herd with good bull quality. Draw is competitive for bull tags, but persistence and points pay off with quality hunting in dramatic mountain terrain.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 elk country sits in the Sacramento Mountains from approximately Cloudcroft northward into the high timber of the Lincoln National Forest — Sacramento Ranger District. The high ridgelines above 8,500 feet hold elk through summer and into the October rifle season.

High Mesa Meadows

The open meadow complexes on the Sacramento plateau (Cox Canyon, La Luz Creek drainages) concentrate elk at dawn and dusk. These clearings surrounded by dense Douglas-fir and spruce are classic rut staging areas in September.

Cox Canyon and La Luz Creek Drainages

These north-facing drainages hold dense timber and perennial water — prime thermal cover for bulls after the rut closes. Elk pushed by rifle pressure drop into these canyon systems and hold in heavy timber until dark.

Sunspot Highway Corridor (NM-6563)

The paved Sunspot highway provides ridge-top vehicle access through the Sacramento high country. Glass across open ski-run clearings and forest-edge meadows from pull-outs at first light — elk are often visible 400–800 yards from the road in early season.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 rewards hunters who push away from road-accessible areas. The terrain is steep and the timber is thick — a good calling setup in the backcountry away from the Sunspot highway corridor will encounter far less competition.

September Calling

Bugling bulls are vocal in Unit 42's high meadows from mid-September onward. Work north-facing timber edges at dawn, positioning above a meadow clearing. Aggressive cow calling and light challenge bugles draw bulls from the timber. Thermals pull upslope in the morning — use timber for cover.

Pushing into the Backcountry

Rifle hunters who camp at least 2 miles from the Sunspot highway find significantly less competition. The Lincoln NF road network allows 4WD access to backcountry trailheads, cutting walk-in distance to 3–4 miles into the best timber.

Post-Rut Late Season

Late-season rifle hunters (October–November) should focus on thermal cover on north-facing slopes and spring seeps. Bulls drop to lower elevation ponderosa zones as cold fronts move through. Hunt warm-south-facing slopes at midday when elk sun themselves.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 42 rifle elk hunts typically post 50–65% success rates for drawn licensees. Archery success is lower given the dense timber, but experienced callers find good action in September. See the Draw Odds chart above for current NMDGF quota and harvest data.

Elk Draw Odds

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

Search New-mexico Draw Odds

Unit 42 is one of the more competitive elk units in southern New Mexico. Bull elk tags draw 4–8+ preference points for nonresidents depending on license type. Cow tags and some archery licenses are more accessible. Consult the live Draw Odds chart for current applicant and quota statistics by hunt code.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Tucumcari RV parks on I-40. No developed hookups inside the unit.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM parcels. Ranch camping requires landowner permission.

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Trailer Access

Yes. County roads and primary two-tracks handle trailers well in dry weather.

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Water

Limited. Pack in drinking water; stock tanks are for livestock, not camp.

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Road Conditions

Dirt and gravel ranch roads. Impassable when wet — gumbo clay.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Rolling prairie, 4,000-5,500 ft elevation.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Most pressure clusters near easy-access BLM boundaries.

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Weather

Early-season highs 75-90°F. Afternoon thunderstorms common in August.

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Cell Service

Spotty. AT&T and Verizon work along I-40 corridor but drop quickly on backroads.

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Nearest Town

Tucumcari or Clayton for fuel, groceries, and lodging.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I draw a Unit 42 pronghorn tag in New Mexico?

Apply through NMDGF's pure random draw before the March deadline. No points are required — every applicant has an equal chance. Unit 42 drew about 41% of applicants over the last three seasons.

Is Unit 42 pronghorn mostly public land?

No. Unit 42 is a checkerboard of BLM, state trust, and private ranch. Hunters should pull a land-ownership layer (OnX or HuntStand) and verify public access before the opener.

How hard is it to draw NM Unit 42 mule deer?

Not hard — recent three-year data shows more tags issued than applicants, effectively a guaranteed draw under NM's pure random system.

Is Mescalero Apache land part of Unit 42?

The Mescalero Apache Reservation borders Unit 42 to the east. Tribal lands are closed to non-tribal hunting without a separate tribal permit. Do not hunt on reservation land without written permission. NMDGF unit boundaries and the tribal boundary should be verified with current maps before your hunt.

What is the best weapon type for Unit 42 elk?

Rifle is the most effective for Unit 42 given the dense timber — shots are often 50–200 yards in the forest. Archery hunters who can call well do succeed in September. Muzzleloader tags offer a midpoint with reduced competition versus rifle.

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Sources & Verification

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

2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Info (RIB) — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: GMU 42 boundaries, Pronghorn season dates and hunt codes, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Pronghorn Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Statewide pronghorn management, GMU eligibility · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw, 6% nonresident / 10% outfitter-guided caps, Application deadlines · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Deer Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Deer management · accessed 2026-04-17
New Mexico 2025-26 Big Game Hunting Rules & Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 42 elk season dates, Tag quotas, Weapon restrictions · accessed 2026-04-18
Lincoln National Forest — Hunting — USDA Forest Service — Lincoln National Forest · supports: Public land access, Road conditions, Campground information · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 42 (42)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 42

Windmill Tanks and Stock Ponds

Prairie Edges and Two-Tracks

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 42

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 42

Canyon Rims

Ag-Adjacent State Trust

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 42

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Elk in Unit 42

High Mesa Meadows

Cox Canyon and La Luz Creek Drainages

Sunspot Highway Corridor (NM-6563)

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 42

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification