Quick Tips
- Unload and case rifles before driving across tribal land
- Carry a GPS to avoid crossing onto tribal or private land
- Roads built for oil recovery provide good access in places
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 320"+ |
On The Ground
This area shares a border with the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, which is famous for record-book mule deer and big elk. Hunters take many deer and elk on private ground, but public hunters have a challenge with being restricted to strips of BLM land.
The state does not give many tags, but most public-land hunters find themselves competing for space while seeing few mature elk or deer. Hunters on private land are far less crowded and take the vast majority of bucks and bulls. Mule deer seasons take place before the rut.
Terrain
Composed of two pieces connected by a mile-wide strip of land, this unit surrounds Lindrith and is 15 miles north of Cuba at the closest point. Large flats cut by eroded streambeds and between wooded knolls and ridges are at low elevations. Foothills and ridges rise to mesas and ridges with a great deal of rimrock on the sides. Most land is private with public hunters restricted to strips of BLM land.
Roughly 228 square miles
16.2% public land
Elevations from 6,920-7,704 feet
Vegetation
Lowlands vary from mostly barren desert grasslands to sagebrush flats and swales. Foothills are mostly covered with oak brush, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper woodlands with thick stands of ponderosa pine. Some aspens are on higher ridges, which are separated by grassy meadows and sagebrush draws.
Access
Most strips of public land are about 2 miles wide and 4-5 miles long. It is nearly impossible to know where you are without referring to maps with public and private land data. Fortunately, county and state roads reach most public tracts. BLM land in the eastern sector is accessed at only a handful of places. Some BLM land in the western sector is reached by driving for a short distance through the Jicarilla Reservation. Hunters may not transport loaded, uncased firearms across the reservation.
Camping and Lodging
Camping is allowed on BLM land, but most hunters stay in motels in Cuba. A couple of small restaurants are in Lindrith and north of Lindrith.
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