Quick Tips
- Bear proof your camp on Mount Taylor
- Game within one mile of water
- Turkeys are abundant on Mount Taylor and are in season from September-November; turkey tags are available over-the-counter
- Carry plenty of water
- Prepare to glass long distances
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 270"-300" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
Often called Mount Taylor, this unit is 75% tribal and private land, but most of the public land is found in the higher elevations of Mount Taylor itself. This unit is home to the Water Canyon and Marquez Wildlife Management Areas that offer unique hunting opportunities.
This unit has a healthy elk herd and is a good place for elk hunters who are looking to fill a tag but are not too concerned about the size of the animal. This area has low numbers of deer with minimal tags available, and even fewer antelope. Bear tags are available over-the-counter with archery and rifle seasons throughout the fall.
Terrain
An imposing volcanic cone that is visible up to 100 miles away, Mount Taylor, is the highest peak in the Cibola National Forest and part of the San Mateo Mountains. It is a rugged and steep mountain that is challenging when covering ground on foot. It is surrounded by desert mesas, foothills and flats that are almost exclusively contained within private and tribal land..
Roughly 3,330 square miles
25% public land
Elevations: 5,000-11,000 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations are mainly flat, desert grasslands with some brush and the occasional cottonwood tree along dry creek beds. Middle elevations consist of gently rolling foothills covered with grass, sagebrush, oakbrush, pinyon/juniper, rising to mesas above cliffs or slopes with ponderosa. High elevations consisting of Mesa tops are mainly pinyon/juniper, sage, oakbrush and ponderosa. Mount Taylor has aspens, firs, ponderosa and grassy meadows with steep slopes up high. The vegetation is very dense in the higher elevations with significant deadfall and ground level vegetation -visibility is very limited as a result and glassing for wildlife can be challenging at higher elevations. The lower areas of Mount Taylor are comprised of dense pinyon/juniper, ponderosa and oak brush.
Access
Public roads access most of the Forest Service and BLM land in the unit including Mount Taylor, the major mesas and BLM property northeast of Mount Taylor. Most state land is landlocked by private ground. Mount Taylor is covered in Forest Service roads and old mining roads that provide access for any hunter in an off-road vehicle. Backpacking in is not necessary in this unit, as there are few areas that offer seclusion from the available roads.
Camping and Lodging
Improved campgrounds are closed before most hunting seasons, so most hunters camp along dirt roads, as this offers the best immediate access to the area. Some stay in motels in Grants, although this adds a 30-45 minute trip to and from the good hunting areas each day. Albuquerque is in the unit, but it is two hours or more from the better hunting areas.
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