New Mexico Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn Antelope

Unit 43 (Unit 43 — Rio Arriba West)

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

Unit 43 spans western Rio Arriba County in northwest New Mexico. Pinyon-juniper, sage, and aspen stringers from 6,500 to 9,500 feet. Over three cycles, 200 tags drew from 508 applicants. Honest quality for the draw odds, with steady 140-class bucks and occasional 160+.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 43

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 43

PJ and aspen stringers.

Aspen Draws (8,500–9,500 ft)

High aspen draws hold mature bucks during October rifle.

PJ Benches (7,000–8,500 ft)

Classic Southwest mule deer country — glass mid-elevation PJ/oak at dawn/dusk.

Sage Foothills (6,500–7,000 ft)

Late-season rifle catches deer lower in sage/PJ transitions.

How to Hunt Unit 43 Mule Deer

Pro Members Only

Unlock Unit 43 tactics

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

Rifle success 30–40%. 200 tags against 508 applicants over three cycles — ~39% overall odds.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	33	129	25.6%
Archery— Draw	10	12	83.3%
Muzzleloader— Draw	10	20	50.0%
Rifle— Draw	33	142	23.2%
Archery— Draw	10	12	83.3%
Muzzleloader— Draw	14	15	93.3%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pure random. NR capped at 6% (10% outfitter-guided). Resident rifle ~40–50%.

Elk Hunting in Unit 43

Unit 43 sits in the southern Sangre de Cristo and southern San Pedro Parks country of north-central New Mexico, with a mix of Carson and Santa Fe National Forest land and interspersed private inholdings. We hunt mixed conifer, ponderosa benches, and high aspen parks where bull-heavy migrations out of adjacent high country concentrate elk during September and October. Recent three-year data shows 30 tags drawn against 126 applicants.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 43

Elk distribution in GMU 43 follows the north-south spine of the Sangre de Cristos and the aspen basins on the west side of the unit.

Aspen-Conifer Transition (8,500–10,500 ft)

Rutting bulls and cow groups bed in the dark timber and feed out to aspen openings at dawn and dusk. We focus on north- and east-facing aspen benches for early archery.

High Parks Above Timberline

A handful of unit-crossing parks above 10,500 feet hold mature bulls through early September before the rut pulls them into cow groups lower down.

Pinon-Juniper Foothills

During the late rifle hunts, colder weather pushes elk down into the PJ belt along the east and west edges of the unit where private inholdings complicate access — we stick to public sections and Santa Fe/Carson NF boundary roads.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 43

We run an archery-rut calling setup or a rifle glassing setup depending on tag type.

Archery Bugle and Cow-Call Sequences

We slip into aspen benches before first light and let cows locate us. Mid-morning we move 400-600 yards between setups, cold-calling each new bench with cow talk and locator bugles.

Rifle Glassing from Side-Drainage Benches

Mid-October rifle tags call for sit-and-glass from lateral ridges into aspen-conifer transitions. We plan for 300-500 yard shot distances across drainages.

Weather-Driven Pushes

A storm front in the last three days of a rifle hunt often triggers a downhill push. We pre-scout one lower-elevation glassing point per drainage and move there when fronts arrive.

Pro Members Only

Unlock Unit 43 elk tactics

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Elk Success Rates

Rifle20%

With 30 tags drawn against 126 applicants over three seasons, GMU 43 is a mid-tier draw with a roughly 24% overall probability. Rifle success on Sangre de Cristo elk hunts of this style typically runs 25-40% with archery rut hunts in the 15-25% range.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Draw	29	122	23.8%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

New Mexico runs a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Nonresidents compete within a 6% cap, or 10% if applying with a registered outfitter. Unit 43's roughly 24% three-year draw probability makes it a realistic annual target even for first-time applicants.

Pronghorn Antelope Hunting in Unit 43

Unit 43 covers the eastern New Mexico High Plains in Chaves and De Baca counties — classic shortgrass prairie pronghorn country at the edge of the Llano Estacado. This is rangeland New Mexico, where pronghorn herds move freely across open grassland and sandsage flats that extend for miles in every direction. The unit consistently holds good pronghorn numbers and offers accessible draw odds compared to the northern grassland units, making it a strong choice for hunters who want a traditional Plains antelope experience.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 43

Unit 43 is quintessential High Plains shortgrass prairie — flat to gently rolling terrain with virtually unlimited visibility. Pronghorn herds here can number 30–100 animals and are visible from many miles away. The challenge is not finding animals but getting within range.

Shortgrass Prairie Flats

The broad shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie of the eastern unit supports the core pronghorn population. Herds graze these flats at all hours, often moving 5–10 miles between feeding areas and watering points. Glass systematically from any elevated pull-out or road intersection at dawn.

Sandsage Country

The sandsage grass flats in the Chaves County portions of the unit offer slightly more topographic relief — low dunes and blowouts provide occasional cover for stalks. Pronghorn buck groups often use sandsage areas during the late-summer pre-rut period.

Playa Lakes and Stock Tanks

The Llano Estacado playa lakes fill seasonally and attract large concentrations of pronghorn. Stock tanks across the ranch network are key watering points. Focus on areas where multiple tanks are within 2–3 miles — these are herd aggregation zones in late summer.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 43

Unit 43 High Plains hunting is the ultimate test of patience and distance management. There is essentially no cover — a hunter on foot is visible to pronghorn at 600+ yards. Success requires creative use of terrain, vehicles, and the pronghorn's own behavior patterns.

Plains Crawl Stalk

Identify a buck feeding in a flat with a slight terrain depression ahead of his direction of travel. Park your vehicle 1.5 miles away, circle completely out of the buck's view, then belly-crawl the last 400 yards to a shooting position. This is time-consuming but works consistently on High Plains pronghorn when they're undisturbed.

Vehicle-Assisted Approach

Plains pronghorn often habituate to ranch vehicle traffic. On areas with active ranch activity, a slow-moving pickup can get within 300 yards without alarming animals. Stop the vehicle well back, exit on the far side, and use the truck as a shooting rest or work your way to a natural depression for a prone shot.

Water Tank Ambush

Stock tanks in De Baca and Chaves counties are the most reliable ambush points during the September heat. Set up a ground blind or lie prone in the sparse vegetation downwind of the tank 30–60 yards. Arrive well before first light. Pronghorn arrive at tanks throughout the day but are most reliable between 8–10 AM and 4–6 PM.

Pro Members Only

Unlock pronghorn tactics for Unit 43

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Pronghorn Antelope Success Rates

Unit 43 pronghorn rifle success is among the highest in New Mexico — the High Plains terrain means located animals are almost always harvested by persistent hunters. Success rates of 70–85% are common for rifle hunters. See the Draw Odds chart for current NMDGF quota data.

Pronghorn Antelope Draw Odds

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

Search New-mexico Draw Odds

Unit 43 is more accessible than western NM units — tag quotas are moderate and applicant competition is reasonable. Residents typically draw in 0–2 preference-point years; nonresidents 1–3 years. The eastern location deters some nonresident applicants who target the more scenic northern units, improving odds slightly. See the live Draw Odds chart for current numbers.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🚐

RV Sites

Chama RV parks.

⛺

Camp Sites

Carson NF dispersed camping and BLM tracts.

🛻

Trailer Access

Yes on US-84 and main FR; high-clearance interior.

💧

Water

Fair — springs and stock tanks.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved US-84; gravel forest/BLM roads generally passable.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Moderate.

🌦️

Weather

Cool early; first snow October at high elevations.

📱

Cell Service

Spotty — US-84 corridor has coverage.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Chama or Tierra Amarilla; Farmington (90 min) for full services.

Pro Members Only

Unlock full Unit 43 logistics

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 43 good for DIY public-land hunters?

Yes — Carson NF and BLM provide abundant public access, and draw odds are reasonable for both residents and the small nonresident pool.

Does Unit 43 have E-PLUS private-land tags?

Portions of GMU 43 participate in the E-PLUS system, which allocates landowner tags separate from the public draw. Check the NMDGF E-PLUS list each year to see which ranches in Unit 43 are enrolled.

Is Unit 43 better for archery or rifle elk?

Archery tags in Unit 43 coincide with the rut and produce high encounter rates on public land. Rifle tags trade rut activity for better weapon range and higher overall success percentages.

How much public land is available in Unit 43 for pronghorn hunting?

Unit 43 is predominantly private ranch land in Chaves and De Baca counties. BLM sections are scattered throughout — use onX or the NMDGF public land viewer to identify legal hunting areas before your trip. Without ranch landowner permission, you'll be limited to BLM sections, which still offer consistent pronghorn access if you map them carefully.

What time of year is the pronghorn rut in Unit 43?

New Mexico pronghorn rut typically occurs in late August through mid-September — earlier than deer and elk. The peak rut window of August 20–September 10 produces the most aggressive buck behavior and is the best time for decoy and calling tactics. Most NM pronghorn rifle seasons open in September and can overlap with the tail end of the rut.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

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

2026-2027 NM Hunting Rules and Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 43 boundary, Deer hunt codes · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Deer Species Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer management · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Farmington Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Public land access · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Elk Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Statewide elk management, GMU structure · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw, 6% nonresident cap / 10% outfitter-guided cap · accessed 2026-04-17
Santa Fe National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public land access, Motor vehicle use map · accessed 2026-04-17
New Mexico 2025-26 Big Game Hunting Rules & Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 43 pronghorn seasons, Tag quotas, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 43 (Unit 43 — Rio Arriba West)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 43

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 43

Aspen Draws (8,500–9,500 ft)

PJ Benches (7,000–8,500 ft)

Sage Foothills (6,500–7,000 ft)

How to Hunt Unit 43 Mule Deer

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 43

Where to Find Elk in Unit 43

Aspen-Conifer Transition (8,500–10,500 ft)

High Parks Above Timberline

Pinon-Juniper Foothills

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 43

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Pronghorn Antelope Hunting in Unit 43

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 43

Shortgrass Prairie Flats

Sandsage Country

Playa Lakes and Stock Tanks

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 43

Pronghorn Antelope Success Rates

Pronghorn Antelope Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 25 — Pronghorn

Unit 27 — Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification