At a Glance
1,646Square Miles
38.8%Public Land
4,300 - 10,200Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- The original Smokey the Bear was rescued in the Capitan range
- Pan-size brook trout live in several creeks
- Bears are common
Hunters discussing Unit 37 in New Mexico highlight the need for careful consideration of its rugged terrain, which presents both challenges and opportunities. The area is known for its dense vegetation, requiring hunters to be well-prepared for navigating tough landscapes to get close to game. Feedback emphasizes the importance of researching seasonal animal movement, as elk tend to be more active in certain areas depending on water sources and food availability. For best results, hunters suggest scouting the area in advance and being prepared for sudden weather changes that can impact hunting strategies.
More than half of this unit is private land, mostly desert flatlands, while the biggest chunk of public land is Forest Service property that takes in some of the rugged Sacramento Mountains, the Tucsons, the Jicarilla Mountains and part of the Capitan Range. Elk live primarily in the mountains and foothills while most of the antelope occupy lowlands. Mule deer are present in the unit but densities are low deer are scattered.
Some of the biggest bull elk and antelope in New Mexico have come from this unit. Barbary sheep live in some rough terrain and in low numbers. The unit has lots of dense cover and thousands of acres of rugged land. The public land in this unit is not easy to hunt.