New Mexico Mule Deer Pronghorn Elk

Unit 57 (Unit 57 — Colfax North)

New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk

Unit 57 covers northern Colfax County from the Sangre de Cristo foothills east to the plains. Oak, PJ, and sagebrush from 6,000 to 9,500 feet. Over three cycles, 169 tags drew from 426 applicants. Solid public and private opportunity with mature-buck potential.

View Draw Odds New Mexico Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 57

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 57

Habitat bands.

Sangre Foothills (8,000–9,500 ft)

Oak/conifer benches on Carson NF fringe.

Mid-Elevation Oak (7,000–8,000 ft)

Classic mule deer country.

Sage/PJ Plains (6,000–7,000 ft)

Late-season ground.

How to Hunt Unit 57 Mule Deer

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery16%

Muzzleloader20%

Rifle success 30–40%. 169 tags against 426 applicants — ~40% overall odds.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	10	10	100.0%
Archery— Draw	19	14	100.0%
Muzzleloader— Draw	13	18	72.2%
Rifle— Draw	42	91	46.2%
Archery— Draw	17	102	16.7%
Muzzleloader— Draw	13	13	100.0%

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pure random. NR capped at 6% (10% outfitter-guided). Resident rifle ~45%.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 57

Unit 57 pronghorn hunt covers northeastern NM grassland pockets around Raton. Three-year data: 78 tags / 213 applicants (~37% odds). Ranch-dominated access with some state trust parcels.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 57

Unit 57 pronghorn use mesa grasslands and ranch pastures.

Mesa Grasslands

Short-grass mesa tops hold bachelor buck groups through the early season.

Ranch Tanks

Stock tanks on ranch country concentrate goats in September heat.

How to Hunt Unit 57 Pronghorn

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle78%

Archery45%

78 tags / 213 applicants (~37% odds). Regional pronghorn rifle success 75-85%.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Draw	9	65	13.8%
Archery— Draw	10	10	100.0%
Rifle— Draw	4	52	7.7%
Archery— Draw	4	13	30.8%
Rifle— Draw	4	19	21.1%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pure random — ~37% odds. Ranch access remains the limiting factor for on-the-ground success.

Elk Hunting in Unit 57

New Mexico Unit 57 covers south-central New Mexico, including portions of the San Andres Mountains and the Oscura Mountains range. This arid, rugged unit sits at the junction of the Chihuahuan Desert and the southern Rockies transition, with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 8,200 feet. Elk populations here are limited and geographically concentrated around the higher, brushier terrain at the northern end of the unit. A significant portion of the unit overlaps with White Sands Missile Range and is closed to hunting — hunters must verify exact legal boundaries from NMDGF maps before the season.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 57

Unit 57 is one of New Mexico's most arid and challenging elk units. Elk concentrate in the highest, brushiest terrain and around the limited available water.

San Andres Mountain Ridgelines (6,500–8,200 ft)

The upper San Andres ridgelines hold the unit's primary elk population. Desert scrub oak, mountain mahogany, and juniper provide browse and cover. These are the most productive areas in the unit, but access from the south and east is constrained by White Sands Missile Range closure boundaries.

Oscura Mountains

The Oscura Mountains in the northern portion of the unit provide higher-elevation pinon-juniper and mixed scrub habitat. Elk use this terrain during cooler months and have been documented moving between the San Andres and Oscura ranges.

Water Sources

In this hyper-arid unit, locating water is essential. Stock tanks, seasonal tinajas (rock basins), and any perennial springs concentrate elk reliably — especially during September archery season.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 57

Unit 57 is a demanding, low-density elk unit that rewards thorough pre-season planning and hunters comfortable with harsh desert conditions.

Verify Boundaries Before You Go

The White Sands Missile Range boundary runs through portions of Unit 57 and is strictly enforced. Download the current NMDGF GMU 57 boundary shapefile and load it onto a GPS unit before hunting. Crossing into the restricted area is a federal offense.

Water Tank Setups

In arid conditions, hunting over or near legal water sources is the most productive approach. Locate stock tanks and springs on USGS topo maps or onX and glass from elevated points covering multiple water holes on the same setup. Elk may only visit water once per day in extreme heat.

High-Country Glassing for Archery

September archery hunters should focus on the San Andres ridgelines above 6,500 feet, glassing the open scrub slopes at dawn and dusk. Bugles carry well in the quiet desert air — locating a rutting bull early is key in this low-density unit.

Rifle Season

Cooler rifle-season temperatures bring elk down from the highest elevations and increase daytime movement. Still-hunt the brushy canyon heads and cross-canyon rims, glassing aggressively from elevation. Minimal human pressure in this unit means elk are less call-educated than in popular New Mexico units.

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Elk Success Rates

Archery15%

Unit 57 produces lower success rates than most New Mexico elk units, reflecting limited elk density in this arid, restricted-access landscape. Rifle success is generally below 20%. Hunters who invest in thorough pre-season scouting, particularly locating water and elk sign in the legal portions of the unit, significantly improve their odds in this challenging draw.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Draw	5	16	31.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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New Mexico uses a pure random draw with no preference points and no bonus points. Unit 57 elk tags are among the more accessible in the state given the unit's challenging nature and lower hunter demand. Both residents and nonresidents draw from their respective pools each year with equal odds across all applicants. First-time applicants have the same statistical chance as veterans.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🚐

RV Sites

Raton RV parks.

⛺

Camp Sites

Sugarite Canyon SP (note: closed to hunting); Carson NF dispersed.

🛻

Trailer Access

Yes on I-25 and NM-555.

💧

Water

Fair — creeks and springs.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved highways; gravel ranch/FR roads.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Moderate.

🌦️

Weather

Cold late season; snow common.

📱

Cell Service

Good along I-25.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Raton for full services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sugarite Canyon State Park huntable on a Unit 57 tag?

No — Sugarite Canyon State Park is explicitly excluded from hunt codes. Hunting inside the state park boundary is prohibited.

Is ranch access required for NM Unit 57 pronghorn?

Often yes. Much of the best habitat is private. Secure written permission or purchase access before hunting.

Can I hunt anywhere in New Mexico Unit 57?

No. A substantial portion of Unit 57 overlaps with White Sands Missile Range, which is completely closed to hunting. You must verify the exact legal hunting boundaries from the current NMDGF GMU 57 map and load the boundary onto a GPS device before hunting. Entering the restricted area is a federal offense.

How many elk are in Unit 57?

Unit 57 supports a limited elk population concentrated in the upper San Andres and Oscura mountain terrain. It is a low-density unit compared to New Mexico's northern elk GMUs. Tag numbers reflect this — consult the current NMDGF Hunting Rules and Info Booklet for the exact quota.

What is the draw system for New Mexico Unit 57 elk?

New Mexico uses a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. All applicants in the resident or nonresident pool have equal odds each year. This is one of the few western states where a first-time applicant has the same odds as a 20-year veteran.

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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 NM Hunting Rules and Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 57 boundary, Deer hunt codes, Sugarite Canyon SP exclusion · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Deer Species Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer management · accessed 2026-04-17
Sugarite Canyon State Park — NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department · supports: State park boundary exclusion · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Pronghorn Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pronghorn management · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw · accessed 2026-04-17
NMDGF Elk Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Elk management in south-central NM, Season and weapon structure · accessed 2026-04-18
NMDGF Hunt Unit Maps — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: GMU 57 boundary map, Restricted area overlays (White Sands Missile Range closure) · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 57 (Unit 57 — Colfax North)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 57

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 57

Sangre Foothills (8,000–9,500 ft)

Mid-Elevation Oak (7,000–8,000 ft)

Sage/PJ Plains (6,000–7,000 ft)

How to Hunt Unit 57 Mule Deer

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 57

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 57

Mesa Grasslands

Ranch Tanks

How to Hunt Unit 57 Pronghorn

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 57

Where to Find Elk in Unit 57

San Andres Mountain Ridgelines (6,500–8,200 ft)

Oscura Mountains

Water Sources

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 57

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

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Unit 36 — Sacramento Mountains Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification