Quick Tips
- Good draw odds due to limited access to unit
- Big bulls spread throughout upper half of unit
- Good quail hunting on southernmost slopes
- Pack in for best opportunity to avoid pressure
- Quality optics recommended
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Coues Deer | 80"-90" | 95"+ |
| Elk | 280"-320" | 330"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
Known for trophy elk and deer and made up almost entirely of public lands. Mainly roadless and favored by hunters willing to pack into the Gila national forest to hunt backcountry, this area can provide an exceptional hunting experience.
This unit has produced many bulls and bucks large enough to qualify for both the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young Club record books. Great horse unit with good trail system.
Terrain
Much of this unit parallels the Aldo Leopold Wilderness and borders Ladder Ranch to the east. Much of the area is mountainous and rugged with high ridges, mountain meadows and valleys. South of Kingston, mountains are broken into long ridges sloping to wide valleys that extend to the desert floor. The northern half of the unit sits in high elevations that are mountainous and steep. In the north, the high peaks include Wahoo peak at 8,796 feet and Sawmill peak at 8,402 feet. Lookout Mountain, in the center, rises to 8,872 feet and is the highest mountain here. In the southern portion Juniper Peak is 7,217 feet.
Roughly 469 square miles
97.9% public land
Elevations range from 6,400-8,872 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations consist of flat-rolling yucca and mesquite covered hills rising to juniper and scrub oak-covered draws on ridgelines. Pinyon and juniper covered mountains and canyons with ponderosa pine can be found in wetter bottoms and higher north slopes can be found in the middle elevations. High elevations also have a lot of ponderosa pine-covered mesas and valleys rising to Douglas fir and aspen-covered cooler north slopes on higher peaks.
Access
Highway 59 crosses the northern unit and provides access to trails in the forest. Highway 152 from Mimbres to Kingston crosses the southern quarter of the hunt unit and leads to access through dirt forest roads and trails. All forest dirt roads require four-wheel-drive and high clearance.
Camping and Lodging
Some hunters camp along Highway 59 and 152 or on the edges of forest dirt roads in the unit. Lodging can be found in Truth or Consequences.
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