Quick Tips
- Average age class of bucks is low
- Excellent antelope hunting but tags are tough to get
- A couple of big private ranches are in the north part of the unit at low elevations mostly
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 310"-350" | 360"+ |
| Antelope | 75"-80" | 80"+ |
| Desert Bighorn Sheep | 165"-175" | 175"+ |
On The Ground
Elk and antelope thrive in this unit, which includes the San Mateo and Magdalena mountain ranges. Apache Kid, Withington and Chupadera wilderness areas are entirely inside the unit, which also contains several hundred square miles of desert flatlands. Only bowhunters and muzzleloader hunters may hunt elk.
This is one of the finest elk hunting areas in New Mexico, with a healthy number of elk and many bulls getting old enough to grow impressive racks. This area has low deer densities and bucks struggle to reach maturity.
Terrain
Lowlands are virtually flat in some areas and slightly inclined in others, giving way to rocky mountains with many cliffs, mesas with rock outcroppings, and steep slopes covered with dense brush and trees. The Apache Kid Wilderness is especially difficult on hikers with boulder fields, rocks seemingly everywhere, steep, broken terrain, and brush so thick that an elk must be no more than 20 yards away to be visible. Walking through some other parts of the unit is easy by Western elk hunting standards with moderately steep terrain, gentle hills and flat timbered sections.
Roughly 1,648 square miles
73.7% public land
Northern 10 miles of Magdalena Mountains especially rugged
Southern end of Magdalena is the aptly named Devils Backbone Wilderness Study Area
Vegetation
Saltbush, blue grama, alkali grass, greasewood, saltgrass and sagebrush dominate the flats, while ponderosa pine, juniper and pinyon thrive at middle elevations with ponderosa and Douglas fir taking over at high elevations.
Access
Public roads lead to almost all public sectors, but hunters must hike or ride horses to reach many canyons. Most hunters access the unit out of Magdalena. Access in the south is from Route 152 off I-25 near Elephant Butte.
Camping and Lodging
High Country Lodge and Western Inn offer lodging in Magdalena, and there are about a dozen choices in Elephant Butte and nearby Truth or Consequences, renamed for a game show that was celebrating its 10th year on television in 1960. Most hunters camp along dirt roads.
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