Quick Tips
- Don't be discouraged by seeing other hunters
- Trail cams at water sources help immensely
- Some big bulls are call shy
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 320"-350" | 370"+ |
| Antelope | 70"-80" | 80"+ |
On The Ground
Nationally famous for its large elk herd, this unit consists of the northern part of the Tularosa Mountains in the Gila National Forest and is nearly 90% public land. The Continental Divide runs through the unit, which provides good habitat mule deer and a few antelope.
Great numbers of elk are found here and bulls can grow to very large sizes. Hunters have killed some big antelope in limited pronghorn country along the eastern and western boundaries. Mule deer are rare and trophy potential is generally low.
Terrain
A mountain spine that is mostly 7,500-9,000 feet high runs roughly north and south through the unit with ridges that gradually descend both east and west. Steep arroyos and rugged canyons cut through the land in every direction, featuring sandstone cliffs and basalt cliffs along mesas and flattened ridges. Most of the terrain is mildly to moderately steep.
Roughly 471 square miles
88.4% public land
Elevations from the 5,800-9,801-foot Eagle Peak
Vegetation
Ponderosa pines, junipers and pinyon pines are the chief trees with little understory in most places and a lot of grass. Many areas are densely forested, but hunters hiking along ridges often can glass opposing hillsides and see elk and deer in openings, some of them more than 100 yards across. Lowlands feature mostly grassy meadows and flats with scattered junipers.
Access
Roads to the interior of the unit branch from Highway 12 on the western edge about three miles north of Reserve and again just south of Apache Creek. Bursum Road runs south from Highway 12 on the eastern edge and leads to several roads that cut west into the Tularosa Mountains.
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp on Forest Service land along the side of dirt roads. Lodging is available in Reserve on the eastern tip of the unit.
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