NM Elk Hunting

New Mexico Elk Season Dates 2026

Elk season in New Mexico runs Sep 1 – Oct 22 across 78 GMUs.

489 Seasons3 Weapon Types32% Avg Harvest

Rifle

GMU	Type	Dates	Harvest	Pressure	Public
GMU 1	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
GMU 10	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
Unit 10	Rifle	Oct 18 — Oct 22	23%	0.03/mi²	35%
Unit 10	Rifle	Nov 15 — Nov 19	20%	0.05/mi²	35%
Unit 10	Rifle	Dec 6 — Dec 10	14%	0.04/mi²	35%
GMU 11	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
GMU 12	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
Unit 12	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	50%	0.01/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Oct 18 — Oct 22	35%	0.02/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Oct 25 — Oct 29	35%	0.03/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Nov 15 — Nov 19	32%	0.03/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Nov 22 — Nov 26	29%	0.02/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Nov 29 — Dec 3	43%	0.02/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Rifle	Dec 6 — Dec 10	46%	0.02/mi²	39%
GMU 13	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
Unit 14	Rifle	Oct 1 — Oct 5	33%	0.01/mi²	17%
GMU 14	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
GMU 15	General	Oct 1 — Dec 31	—	—	—
Unit 16C	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	73%	0.05/mi²	83%
Unit 16B	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	50%	0.03/mi²	99%
Unit 16E	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	55%	0.03/mi²	62%
Unit 16A	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	58%	0.04/mi²	97%
Unit 16D	Rifle	Oct 11 — Oct 15	73%	0.05/mi²	88%
Unit 16C	Rifle	Oct 18 — Oct 22	20%	0.07/mi²	83%
Unit 16B	Rifle	Oct 18 — Oct 22	19%	0.08/mi²	99%

+ 234 more

Archery

GMU	Type	Dates	Harvest	Pressure	Public
GMU 1	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 10	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	17%	0.06/mi²	35%
GMU 10	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 10	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	15%	0.06/mi²	35%
GMU 11	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 12	Archery	Dec 13 — Dec 17	0%	0.01/mi²	39%
Unit 12	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	48%	0.01/mi²	39%
GMU 12	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 12	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	38%	0.01/mi²	39%
Unit 13	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	23%	0.05/mi²	37%
GMU 13	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 13	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	19%	0.03/mi²	37%
GMU 14	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 15	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	30%	0.21/mi²	78%
GMU 15	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 24	—	—	—
Unit 15	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	29%	0.15/mi²	78%
Unit 16D	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	49%	0.19/mi²	88%
Unit 16A	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	26%	0.39/mi²	97%
Unit 16E	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	29%	0.09/mi²	62%
Unit 16C	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	20%	0.30/mi²	83%
Unit 16B	Archery	Sep 1 — Sep 14	17%	0.24/mi²	99%
Unit 16C	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	15%	0.21/mi²	83%
Unit 16E	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	19%	0.06/mi²	62%
Unit 16B	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	23%	0.18/mi²	99%
Unit 16A	Archery	Sep 15 — Sep 24	30%	0.23/mi²	97%

+ 155 more

Muzzleloader

GMU	Type	Dates	Harvest	Pressure	Public
Unit 10	Muzzleloader	Oct 11 — Oct 15	11%	0.03/mi²	35%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Oct 11 — Oct 15	46%	0.01/mi²	37%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	17%	0.02/mi²	37%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Oct 25 — Oct 29	22%	0.03/mi²	37%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Nov 22 — Nov 26	20%	0.03/mi²	37%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Dec 6 — Dec 10	27%	0.03/mi²	37%
Unit 13	Muzzleloader	Dec 13 — Dec 17	23%	0.03/mi²	37%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Oct 11 — Oct 15	46%	0.02/mi²	78%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	28%	0.12/mi²	78%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Oct 25 — Oct 29	20%	0.15/mi²	78%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Nov 15 — Nov 19	18%	0.15/mi²	78%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Dec 6 — Dec 10	29%	0.15/mi²	78%
Unit 15	Muzzleloader	Dec 13 — Dec 17	38%	0.15/mi²	78%
Unit 16E	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	18%	0.07/mi²	62%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Oct 11 — Oct 15	48%	0.02/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	24%	0.06/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Oct 25 — Oct 29	14%	0.06/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Nov 22 — Nov 26	21%	0.02/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Nov 22 — Nov 26	11%	0.02/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Dec 6 — Dec 10	20%	0.06/mi²	73%
Unit 17	Muzzleloader	Dec 13 — Dec 17	12%	0.06/mi²	73%
Unit 2	Muzzleloader	Oct 11 — Oct 15	24%	0.06/mi²	78%
Unit 23	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	14%	0.03/mi²	63%
Unit 24	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	36%	0.01/mi²	62%
Unit 34	Muzzleloader	Oct 18 — Oct 22	45%	0.15/mi²	67%

+ 25 more

Elk in New Mexico: FAQ

When is elk season in New Mexico?

Elk season in New Mexico currently runs Sep 1 to Oct 22, across 489 season rows and 78 GMUs, split by weapon (Rifle, Archery, Muzzleloader).

Where is the best place to hunt elk in New Mexico?

The best GMUs for elk in New Mexico depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per GMU above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Elk hunt in New Mexico

View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Also see New Mexico seasons, public land, and license.

Elk in New Mexico: parcels + public land

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