Hunters in New Mexico's Unit 16E appreciate the varied terrain and the opportunities it provides for different hunting tactics, from glassing expansive areas to more active stalking approaches. Many highlight the importance of being prepared for the rugged conditions, suggesting good boots and the readiness for long hikes as essential. Seasonal considerations such as warmer temperatures in early seasons can affect game movement, indicating that hunters should be adaptable in their strategies. Overall, successful hunts often depend on understanding the unit's diverse habitats and adjusting techniques accordingly to the specific terrain and weather conditions encountered.
Much of this unit is almost as flat as a dry lake bed with low brush and few trees. The southern region is the federally controlled Pelona Mountains along the Continental Divide and the southeast part is the mostly state-owned Luera Mountains. Much of the flat land is private. Mule deer and elk live in the mountains, while pronghorns and elk thrive in the flat sections.
In years when rainfall is heavy in spring and summer some hunters say no other unit in New Mexico is better for hunting trophy size elk than Unit 16E. The unit also holds a few big mule deer, but numbers are severely depressed after years of drought. This unit aso has some of the finest antelope in the state.