New Mexico Unit 16E Hunting Information

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Overview of NM GMU 16E Hunting Facts

Unit 16E is relatively flat with very few trees. If you go into the southern part of the unit, you will start to see mountains where elk tend to be seen. Much of this section is state-owned. Keep in mind what land is private and which land is public. Hunters have said in the past that unit 16E is top of the notch for a trophy-size elk.

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NM Unit 16E Species Hunting Info

INFO: Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 16E
If you get lucky enough to hunt when spring and summer are wetter than normal, your chances of seeing a trophy elk are higher than normal. Hunt in remote locations, away from the main and busy roads. Higher elevations have proven to be successful in the past.

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 16E
5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 1 15.00%
Archery 2 20.00%
Muzzleloader 28.00%
Rifle 30.00%
Rifle (YO) 65.00%
Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 16E New Mexico
Average Elk Quality 320″ – 350″
NM Area 16E Trophy Elk Potential 360″+
GMU 16E Bull to Cow Ratio 34:100
New Mexico Unit 16E Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

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Cities Near NM Unit 16E

New Mexico Unit 16E Topo Map

Total Acreage: 615,000 acres over 961 square miles

Total Public Land:388,000 acres or 63%

Land Ownership Mix: 12% Private; 88% Public; USFS: 3,776 acres; BLM: 150,272 acres; State: 232,256 acres

Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Sheep

Elevation Variances: 6,515 ft. to 9,600 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: Land cover includes 43% grassland/herbaceous, 41% shrub/shrub and 15% evergreen forest.

Lay of the Land in NM Unit 16E

Terrain in GMU 16E NM

Most of the terrain in unit 16E is flat. The mountains in this unit are not at steep or as rugged as you would typically see in other units. For the most part, this unit is a great choice physically for anybody.

Vegetation in GMU Unit 16E NM

The vegetation in the lower elevations for this unit ranges from blue grama, saltbush, greasewood, saltgrass, alkali grass, and sagebrush. Towards the middle elevations, you will start to see ponderosa pine, juniper, and pinyon. The higher elevations consist of ponderosa and Douglas fir.

Access Points in NM GMU 16E

Unit 16E access points are a bit of a mixture. State ground and private land limits access to parts of the unit. Hunters often time use Coyote Canyon Road and State Route 63 for access to the Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area. If you are in the north of the unit, State Route 52 and State Route 63 will help you with access to BLM grounds. We recommend having a map of which land is private and which is public.