New Mexico State Flag

Unit 29

Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024
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Quick Tips

  • Most game animals are within one mile of water
  • Long, brushy draws are ideal for deer drives
  • Visit Alamo Mountain to see petroglyphs
  • Carry plenty of water, spare tires, tools and supplies
speciesgeneral Sizetrophy potential
Mule Deer130"-150"150"+
Elk280"-300"310"+
Antelope70"-80"80"+

On The Ground

Mule deer are the main draw in this desert unit that borders Texas and includes 7,280-foot-high Wind Mountain. Barbary sheep, a few oryx, and pronghorns also roam this desert.

Exceptional mule deer are rare, but hunters can still harvest a bigger deer. This is a good place for groups of hunters who like deer drives, which are effective in the many long, brushy draws here. Drought has reduced antelope horn size. A few oryx live here and off-range tags are valid here. Barbary sheep are scattered throughout this area.

Terrain

The southern end of the rugged Sacramento Mountains extend southeast into the northwestern part of this unit. Below are vast desert plains that stretch for miles towards Texas. A few conical mountains thrust about 1,500-2,500 feet above the desert floor, which ranges from about 4,500-5,500 feet above sea level. The most prominent peak is Wind Mountain at 7,280 feet, which was formed by volcanic activity and whose peak is two miles from Texas. The majority of the unit is made up of small hills with sparse vegetation.

  • Roughly 1,183 square miles

  • 84% public land

  • Elevations range from about 1,500-7,280 feet

Short desert grasses cover most of the land, along with low brush, mesquites, greasewood, yucca and cholla cactus. Sparse junipers and pinyon pines grow in places near Pinon on the northern tip.

A few thousand acres of private land are in the northern end of this unit with smaller private sections throughout the central and southern portions of the unit. The rest of the unit is more than 90% BLM and state land. Numerous roads branch from highways, leading almost anywhere you want to go.

  • Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended

  • ATVs are not necessary

This unit is so remote and so far from sizeable towns, that most hunters camp along dirt roads.

  • No campgrounds are maintained

  • Pinon Ranch provides accommodations near Pinon in the northern tip

  • No camping or parking within 300 yards of water sources

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