Quick Tips
- $3 daily fee at Forest Service parking lots
- Carry a GPS with a land ownership map
- Some big bucks are found above subdivisions
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is known nationally for the mule deer archery hunt that takes place in January in the steep and rugged Sandia Mountains that loom over Albuquerque. A few pronghorn tags are issued for an area that includes this unit.
The late-season archery deer hunt in the Sandia Mountains is physically difficult. Local bowhunters report seeing many mature bucks in this area. Very little hunting is available on private land.
Terrain
Most hunting here takes place in the Sandia Mountains, which are steep and rugged, containing many high cliffs and rocky pinnacles and rising to Sandia Crest at 10,678 feet above sea level. Most of the mountain land is heavily timbered. North and northeast of the Sandia range are the two small mountains ranges and a couple of mountains. They are the Ortiz and San Pedro mountain ranges, 8,750-foot South Mountain and 7,610-foot Monte Largo. A few hundred acres of BLM land is in the San Pedro Mountains. Placer Peak in the Ortiz Mountains is 8,897 feet above sea level. Two peaks exceed 8,200 feet in the San Pedro Mountains. Other than the mountains, the unit is composed of flat and rolling land.
Roughly 923 square miles
16.7% public land
Elevations range from about 7,610-10,678 feet
Vegetation
Spruces, firs, pines and aspens cover most of the upper half of the Sandia Mountains, while the lower half is mostly forested with pinyon pines and junipers. Some open terrain is on South Sandia Peak above 9,000 feet. Oak brush, sagebrush and other browse plants provide feed for deer. The smaller mountain ranges and individual mountains are timbered, mostly with pinyon pines and junipers. Desert grasses, yuccas, cholla cactus, prickly pear cactus, several other kinds of cacti and various desert shrubs grow on the valley floor, which is flat or nearly flat and is divided by fences into pastures. About 50 circular crop fields are north of Moriarty in the southeastern corner.
Access
Most of the Sandia range is in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, where no vehicles are allowed. Road access from the east side is from State Routes 536 and 165. The main western access roads branch from State Route 556. More than 100 miles of trails snake through the mountains. No vehicles are allowed in 37,877 acre Sandia Mountain Wilderness.
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters stay in Albuquerque in motels or hotels or park their RVs in commercial parks. Camping is allowed on Forest Service land. Public campsites are closed in the winter.
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