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New MexicoElk

NM Elk Unit 45

Total Acres
974,580
Public Land
82%
Wilderness
23%
Elevation
5,590–13,042 ft

Season Dates

YearWeaponDatesTag TypeSex
2026Archery (Elk-2-366) — Elk-2-366Sep 1, 2026Sep 14, 2026either
2026Archery (Elk-2-367) — Elk-2-367Sep 15, 2026Sep 24, 2026either
2026Muzzleloader (Elk-3-368) — Elk-3-368Oct 10, 2026Oct 14, 2026male
2026Muzzleloader (Elk-3-371) — Elk-3-371Nov 14, 2026Nov 18, 2026female
2026Rifle (Elk-1-369) — Elk-1-369Oct 17, 2026Oct 21, 2026male
2026Rifle (Elk-1-370) — Elk-1-370Oct 24, 2026Oct 28, 2026male

AI Scout Analysis

# NM 45 Tactical Analysis ## Terrain & Access Unit 45 is a massive, rugged high-country elk zone spanning 5,600–13,000 ft elevation with 82% public land and 23% designated wilderness. Forum feedback is emphatic: **horses are essential** for this unit — the backcountry is deep and packing out elk is physically impossible without pack animals. Access from the east is severely limited. This is a remote, physically demanding hunt requiring significant preparation and fitness. ## Herd Quality No...

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Tag Quotas & Applicant Volume

YearWeaponResidencyApplicantsTags issued
34 recent records available — Sign up to see current data
2023Rifle (Elk-1-369)resident1,253118
2023Rifle (Elk-1-369)nonresident1978
2023Rifle (Elk-1-369)outfitter5014
2023Rifle (Elk-1-370)resident640118
2023Rifle (Elk-1-370)nonresident998
2023Rifle (Elk-1-370)outfitter2814
2023Archery (Elk-2-366)resident38163
2023Archery (Elk-2-366)nonresident2944
2023Archery (Elk-2-366)outfitter818
2023Archery (Elk-2-367)resident53561
2023Archery (Elk-2-367)nonresident3924
2023Archery (Elk-2-367)outfitter807
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-368)resident490114
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-368)nonresident3338
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-368)outfitter5314
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-371)resident22341
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-371)nonresident03
2023Muzzleloader (Elk-3-371)outfitter55

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Harvest Data

YearWeaponHuntersHarvestSuccess
12 recent records available — Sign up to see current harvest data
2022Archery (Elk-2-329)742032.0%
2022Archery (Elk-2-330)731930.0%
2022Muzzleloader (Elk-3-331)1363227.0%
2022Muzzleloader (Elk-3-334)491126.0%
2022Rifle (Elk-1-332)1402117.0%
2022Rifle (Elk-1-333)1401713.0%