Hunters discussing Unit 51B in New Mexico highlight its challenging terrain and the importance of being prepared for difficult access conditions. Many have noted the unit's ruggedness, which often requires physical readiness and appropriate gear for successful navigation and hunting. Observations indicate that elk populations can be sporadic, making scouting and understanding seasonal movement patterns essential for increasing harvest success. Overall, hunters recommend familiarizing oneself with the unit's layout and being adaptable to changing weather and game behavior to improve the chances of a fruitful hunt.
Unit 51B is the smaller of the two subunits in Unit 51. Private land in the northeast portion of the unit will limit access, but there is plenty of accessible terrain within the unit. Much of the public ground is within the Chama River Wilderness. A wide array of terrain and ground cover will be foudn throughout the unit although the southern end of the unit tends to see far more timber.
This unit is known for having good numbers of elk on public land. There are not a lot of mule deer in the area.