New Mexico Mule Deer Elk Bighorn Sheep

Unit 45 (Guadalupe Peak / Brokeoff)

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, Bighorn Sheep

Unit 45 covers the Guadalupe Peak and Brokeoff country of southeastern New Mexico. Mule deer tags are allocated through the NMDGF pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Consult the NMDGF big-game hunt booklet for current hunt codes.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 45

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 45

Unit 45 mule deer use the mountain and foothill habitat of southeastern New Mexico. Use NMDGF GMU maps and land-ownership overlays to identify accessible public ground.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 45

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

Unit 45 mule deer success rates vary by hunt code, weapon, and season. Refer to NMDGF harvest reports for the most recent unit-level figures.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	468	1,464	32.0%
Archery— Draw	140	334	41.9%
Muzzleloader— Draw	147	426	34.5%
Rifle— Draw	420	1,534	27.4%
Archery— Draw	143	352	40.6%
Muzzleloader— Draw	148	370	40.0%
Rifle— Draw	25	24	100.0%
Rifle— Draw	21	215	9.8%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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New Mexico uses a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Unit 45 mule deer tags are drawn on chance alone.

Elk Hunting in Unit 45

GMU 45 covers the Zuni Mountains and adjacent terrain on the Cibola National Forest in west-central New Mexico. Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest at 7,000–9,000 feet supports an accessible elk herd with good forest road networks. The unit's moderate elevation and proximity to I-40 make it logistically convenient while still offering quality elk habitat across a large public land base.

Where to Find Elk in GMU 45

Elk in GMU 45 concentrate in the Zuni Mountain ponderosa and mixed conifer zones. The large Cibola National Forest ponderosa parks and adjacent meadow systems are primary feeding and staging areas.

Zuni Mountain Ponderosa Parks

The broad ponderosa forest with scattered open parks holds elk at dawn and dusk. Glass from elevated forest road points or park in a high spot and walk to ridgeline vantages overlooking meadow-forest edges.

Water Tanks and Catchments

USFS-maintained wildlife water catchments scattered through the Zuni Mountains attract elk during dry periods. Locate these on USFS maps before the season and plan observation setups near them.

How to Hunt Elk in GMU 45

GMU 45 offers elk hunting with good road access in the Zuni Mountains, making it a solid choice for hunters who want a quality public land experience without a wilderness-level commitment.

Forest Road Glassing and Still-Hunting

Drive the Cibola National Forest road network before first light and stop at high points overlooking ponderosa parks. When elk are located, park and still-hunt the approach through timber.

Archery Wallow Hunting

Scout for active elk wallows in the ponderosa and mixed conifer zones during pre-season. Cow calls and challenge bugles near wallows during the September rut produce consistent bull encounters.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle20%

Archery15%

Muzzleloader18%

Elk rifle success in GMU 45 runs in the 18–25% range. The accessible terrain and Cibola National Forest road network give hunters multiple tactical options and manageable post-harvest logistics.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	241	513	47.0%
Archery— Draw	125	352	35.5%
Muzzleloader— Draw	159	247	64.4%
Rifle— Draw	236	452	52.2%
Muzzleloader— Draw	115	134	85.8%
Muzzleloader— Draw	45	66	68.2%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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New Mexico's random draw gives all applicants equal odds. Unit 45 is moderately competitive. Check NMDGF draw odds reports for current applicant-to-tag ratios by specific hunt code.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 45

Unit 45 offers one of New Mexico's premier bighorn opportunities in Colfax County's Turkey Creek Canyon / Dry Cimarron country. Rugged volcanic and sedimentary breaks from 5,500 to 8,000 feet hold a healthy Rocky Mountain bighorn herd. Over three cycles only 74 tags drew from 490 applicants — a once-in-a-lifetime NM tag.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 45

Sheep live in the cliffs and canyon breaks.

Turkey Creek Canyon Rims

Volcanic rim cliffs along Turkey Creek hold the core herd.

Dry Cimarron Breaks

Sedimentary breaks along the Dry Cimarron drainage provide escape cover and summer range.

South-Facing Benches

Sheep feed on south-facing grass benches at dawn/dusk.

How to Hunt Unit 45 Bighorn

Glass-intensive, physical hunt.

Glass from Rim to Rim

Sheep hunts in Unit 45 are won with optics. Spend 80% of daylight behind glass.

Stalk Wind-Smart

Once a legal ram is found, planning a multi-hour stalk using canyon structure is essential.

Guided Scouting

Most successful Unit 45 hunts include experienced scouts who know the herd and rams from pre-season work.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle70%

Archery45%

Unit 45 bighorn success historically runs 80–95% on the tightly-managed tags. 74 tags across three cycles against 490 applicants gives ~15% overall odds, but remember NM sheep is once-in-a-lifetime per species.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Draw	17	137	12.4%	0
Archery— Draw	9	70	12.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pure random. NR capped at 6% of bighorn tags (10% outfitter-guided). Drawing any NM bighorn tag ends your bighorn eligibility in NM permanently.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How are Unit 45 mule deer tags allocated?

Through the NMDGF pure random draw. Every applicant has equal odds each year with no preference or bonus points.

Where do I find Unit 45 season dates?

The NMDGF Big Game Hunt Booklet lists all Unit 45 mule deer hunt codes, season dates, and tag quotas.

Is the Zuni Mountains accessible with a standard truck?

Most Cibola National Forest roads in the Zuni Mountains are accessible with a high-clearance 2WD truck in dry conditions. 4WD is recommended after rain and for secondary roads. Check road conditions with the Cibola NF Ranger District before your hunt.

Can I apply for NM bighorn multiple times after drawing a tag?

No. New Mexico bighorn is once-in-a-lifetime — once you legally harvest or are issued a bighorn tag, you are permanently ineligible for further NM bighorn applications for that subspecies.

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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: Overview of New Mexico hunting programs, Agency hub for licenses and seasons · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Species-specific management info, Season framework by animal · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes and GMU boundaries, Tag quotas and season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
2026-2027 NM Hunting Rules and Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 45 boundary, Bighorn hunt codes, Once-in-a-lifetime rule · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Bighorn Sheep Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Bighorn management, Herd units, Quality tiers · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw, Bighorn NR quota · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 45 (Guadalupe Peak / Brokeoff)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 45

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 45

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 45

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 45

Where to Find Elk in GMU 45

Zuni Mountain Ponderosa Parks

Water Tanks and Catchments

How to Hunt Elk in GMU 45

Forest Road Glassing and Still-Hunting

Archery Wallow Hunting

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 45

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 45

Turkey Creek Canyon Rims

Dry Cimarron Breaks

South-Facing Benches

How to Hunt Unit 45 Bighorn

Glass from Rim to Rim

Stalk Wind-Smart

Guided Scouting

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Permit Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification