At a Glance
685Square Miles
47.4%Public Land
6,000 - 13,100Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Consider a whitewater raft trip
- Many good fly fishing sites are near Taos
- Tires chains may be necessary during later hunts
Hunters discussing New Mexico's Unit 53 emphasize the unit's challenging draw odds and varying terrain, which requires good physical conditioning and preparedness for diverse hunting conditions. Positive experiences note that understanding the unit's topography and animal behavior during different seasons yields higher success rates. Common advice includes pre-season scouting to familiarize oneself with prime locations and using strategic entry points to increase the chances of encountering game. Overall, experienced hunters suggest that persistence and adaptability in Unit 53 can lead to rewarding hunts despite its challenges.
Northeast of Taos, this unit is famous for the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, as well as the Latir Mountains and the Latir Peak Wilderness. Some of the largest Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the state come from here as well as good elk and mule deer. A wide array of terrain types is found here ranging from open prairie lands to skyscraping and rugged peaks.
This unit produces tremendous bighorn rams with many being big enough to qualify for all-time listing in the Boone and Crockett Club's record book of North American big game. Good elk and deer numbers can be found here along with good trophy potentials for each.