Hunters evaluating New Mexico's Unit 5B have shared a blend of experiences, marking it as a challenging hunting environment due to pressure and questionable hunter ethics. Agencies like NM Game and Fish are critiqued for limited enforcement, leading to significant issues like hunters disregarding lawful boundaries. Some hunters reported decent elk populations, especially in the northwestern region, with migratory herds and sizable bulls, but also highlighted challenges such as overcrowding and illegal activities. Those familiar with the area advise prioritizing remote hunting strategies to capitalize on less trafficked elk populations, and caution about weather conditions which require adequate preparation.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 160"-180" | 190"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
High
Low
Composed mostly of public land in the Santa Fe National Forest, this unit accommodates many elk hunters and a lower number of mule deer hunters. It borders the southeastern corner of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation and includes most of the low-elevation Rio Chama Wilderness.
Elk hunting can be difficult here because elk can be hard to find. Scout extensively and find isolated honey holes to find bulls. Mule deer hunters in this area usually do good on mature bucks.
Most of this unit is heavily forested and mountainous with most of the land lying between 7,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level. Parts of it are steep, but many hogbacks and flat ridges provide places that are physically easy to hunt. Lowlands between 6,000 and 7,000 feet are mostly dry, open flats that are broken up by steep canyons and draws with a great deal of rimrock and some multicolored sandstone cliffs. Unlike most Western wilderness areas, which are mostly high-elevation mountains, Rio Chama Wilderness is mostly between 6,700 and 7,500 feet in elevation and is typical of big game winter range. Abiquiu Lake Recreation Area is in the southeast corner and provides good fishing for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Water sources are not limited.
State Route 96, the southern boundary, provides access to forest roads to the north. State Route 112 leads north through private land in Unit 5A, leading to forest roads on its eastern and western sides. One of the most popular areas is Gallina Peak near the Jicarilla Reservation. Primitive roads are within a mile of almost anywhere in the unit except for the Rio Chama Wilderness above Abiquiu Lake.
Land below 7,000 feet is covered in desert grasses, sagebrush and rabbitbrush with junipers and pinyon pines in draws and canyons. Ponderosa pines, oak brush, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper woods cover middle elevations. At high elevations are spruces, firs, aspens and pines with meadows on ridges, benches and along streams.
Most hunters camp on the Santa Fe National Forest. Riana Campground has a high number of campsites and is at Abiquiu Lake. Cuba and Espanola have motels but are far from hunting areas.
Roughly 424 square miles
81.8% public land
Elevations range from about 6,000-9,000 feet