At a Glance
3,426Square Miles
39.5%Public Land
5,500 - 7,750Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Most game animals are near water
- Much of the ground is sandy and holds tracks for a long time
Hunters find Unit 7 in New Mexico promising, but challenging due to its rugged terrain and varying elevations, which require good preparation and physical endurance. Many suggest focusing on glassing from high vantage points to locate elk, as they tend to hide in less accessible areas. The unit's mixed terrain sees elk behavior influenced by weather shifts, so monitoring conditions can provide an advantage. Overall, successful hunters highlight the importance of scouting trips to understand the area's specifics and enhance odds during the actual hunting season.
West of Cuba and south east of Farmington, this big unit is mostly winter range for elk, but has a few resident herds of elk, small numbers of deer and some antelope.
This is not a good area for hunters who want to see high numbers of animals while searching for a trophy. Most elk and deer are located in the northern part of the unit and can be found near ponderosa forests and pinyon-juniper woodlands with oak brush understory. Bucks get as big as anywhere in the state, but deer are scarce. Much of the land in this area is dry.