New Mexico Unit 37 Hunting Information

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Overview of NM GMU 37 Hunting Facts

Unit 37 consists of mostly desert flatlands, while the biggest chunk of public land is Forest Service property that takes in some of the rugged Sacramento Mountains, the Tucson’s, the Jicarilla Mountains and part of the Capitan Range. Elk live primarily in the mountains and foothills while most of the antelope occupy lowlands. Mule deer are present in the unit but densities are low and deer are scattered. Some of the biggest bull elk and antelope in New Mexico have come from this unit. Barbary sheep live in some rough terrain and in low numbers. The unit has lots of dense cover and thousands of acres of rugged land.

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NM Unit 37 Species Hunting Info

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37

If hunting an archery or muzzleloader season, the main focus of mule deer is going to be finding water and shade from the midday’s heat. Take advantage of the multiple overlook points that the terrain has to offer and glass the herds at first and last light. A key factor in hunting this unit is to research and identify the season you’re hunting and learn the behaviors of deer during that time of year. Try to find waters sources to help with your hunting experience.
SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37
5 Year Estimated Average for Deer
Archery 30.00%
Late Archery 28.00%
Muzzleloader 38.00%
Rifle 1 25.00%
Rifle 2 35.00%

Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 37 New Mexico
Average Deer Quality 140″ – 160″
Trophy Deer Potential 160″+
New Mexico Unit 37 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37

During the early archery season, scout for elk near Padilla Peak, the Capitan Mountain Wilderness, Hoe Cradle Canyon, south of Ancho and the mountains near White Oaks. After archery season opens, bulls tend to move onto private land and into Unit 36, but some of them head for steep terrain with dense cover. By the last week of the season, bulls are more likely to answer bugles and sometimes can be lured close enough for a bow shot. The later archery season is the most popular because the rut is peaking, and bulls are vocal and active. Look for bulls near water sources in canyons that face north or east and the foothills and flat terrain below.
SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37
5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 1 20.00%
Archery 2 30.00%
Archery 3 8.00%
Muzzleloader 30.00%
Rifle 45.00%

Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 37 New Mexico
Average Elk Quality 280″ – 320″
NM Area 37 Trophy Elk Potential 330″+
GMU 37 Bull to Cow Ratio 71:100
New Mexico Unit 37 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37

Some of the largest pronghorns in New Mexico live here and anyone with a tag will be in for a good hunt. During particularly hot periods, sitting over well-used water sources can be excellent. Spot and stalk hunting may be difficult for archery hunters. It will be an excellent choice for rifle hunters.
SUCCESS RATES for Antelope Hunting in New Mexico Unit 37
5 Year Estimated Average for Antelope
Archery 45.00%
Rifle 1 75.00%
Rifle 2 100.00%
Rifle 3 45.00%
Rifle (YO) 100.00%
Antelope TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 37 New Mexico
Average Antelope Size 65″ – 75″
NM Area 37 Trophy Antelope Potential 75″+
New Mexico Unit 37 Antelope Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

Available Hunts for New Mexico Unit 37

No Available Hunts

Unit 37 Hunting Information Video

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Cities Near NM Unit 37

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New Mexico Unit 37 Topo Map

Total Acreage: 1,050,000 acres over 1,640 square miles

Total Public Land: 410,000 acres or 38%

Land Ownership Mix: 62% Private; 38% Public; USFS: 210,624 acres; USFS Wilderness: 36,032 acres; BLM: 120,832 acres; State: 76,672 acres

Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Sheep

Elevation Variances: 4,314 ft. to 10,000 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: Land cover includes 50% Grassland, 33% Shrub/Scrub, 16% Evergreen Forest

Unit 37 Boundaries: Beginning at the intersection of United States Highway 380 and US-54 at Carrizozo and running north along US 54 to its junction with New Mexico Highway 462 west of Ancho, then east along NM 462 to its intersection with the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, then north along the railroad tracks to Hasparos Canyon, then east down Hasparos Canyon to the eastern boundary of Lincoln County, then south along the eastern boundary of Lincoln County to its intersection with US 380, then west along US 380 to its intersection with US-54 at Carrizozo.

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Lay of the Land in NM Unit 37

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Terrain in GMU 37 NM

The chief mountain ranges are mostly rough with some sheer white cliffs and require cross country hiking, but many elk and deer hunters drive roads to find game and sometimes take remarkably big animals. The Jicarilla Mountains are nowhere near the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, which is more than 200 miles to the northwest. Most of the unit is flat to rolling desert.
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Vegetation in GMU Unit 37 NM

High elevations are mostly forested by Douglas firs, spruces, aspens and several kinds of pines. Middle elevations are covered by pinyon-juniper forests, brush and grass, while lower elevations are desert grasslands and foothills with desert scrub.
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Access Points in NM GMU 37

Public roads lead into the mountains, but hunters must hike to reach many places, including the Capitan Mountain Wilderness. Many trails lead into the wilderness. Much BLM and state land at low elevations is difficult to reach on public roads because most of the lower terrain is private.