How the NM System Works
Elk hunting in New Mexico can only be accomplished
in one of two ways. You either draw a tag, or buy a landowner permit. A
landowner permit is
essentially a voucher to allow you to purchase a guaranteed elk tag. Residents
and nonresidents are both at the mercy of the same system. But, the quota on all
elk tags for all hunters is what makes New Mexico one of the best locations to
hunt elk.
Elk Hunting Via the Draw Systems
In
New Mexico, there are two separate draws to participate in for a chance to draw
a coveted elk tag. The first is the NM Draw System regulated by the NM
Dept. of Game & Fish. The second draw option is a lottery conducted by the
Valles Caldera National Preserve. The NM Draw System is your best chance at
obtaining a tag. The Valles Caldera Lottery is extremely limited in the number
of nonresident tags and is merely a second drawing you can enter to give
yourself another chance to draw a quality elk tag.
NM Draw-System Hunting
Approximately 55% of the nonresident elk tags issued through the New Mexico Draw System are placed into an "Outfitters' Pool". These tags are reserved for outfitters to apply clients who are interested in guided elk hunts. The draw odds are usually much better in the "Outfitters' Pool" than in the "Unguided Pool". Sometimes as much as three times better.
The NM Draw-System Hunts are the working-class hunter's option for an affordable, quality elk hunt. These hunts are very capable of producing 300 to 370-class bulls. Elite conducts their draw hunts in the Sacramento Mountains of central New Mexico.
Valles Caldera Elk Hunting
A unique elk-hunting opportunity has been created on the Valles Caldera National Preserve in north-central New Mexico. Elk licenses will be issued through a national lottery conducted by the Valles Caldera Trust. Lottery chances are sold for $25 each with an April 8 deadline. Applicants can also apply concurrently for the regular state draw hunts such as the Sacramento Mountains elk hunt. The Valles Caldera Hunts will provide phenomenal opportunities at 300 to 350-class bulls.
Private-Land
Elk Hunting
The only way to guarantee yourself an elk tag in
New Mexico is to purchase a landowner permit. Most landowner permits are issued
to private ranches and elk hunts are conducted exclusively on private
land.Elite conducts private-land elk hunts on several ranches in the central New Mexico area. The ranches offer the finest elk-hunting experience imaginable. Elite consistently takes 300+ bulls on these ranches. Year in, year out, the Private-Land Elk Hunts produce the highest success rates on good bulls.
Click on the Links below for Specific Hunt Information
| Draw-System Hunting | Private-Land Hunting | |
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