New Mexico Unit 13 Hunting Information

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Overview of NM GMU 13 Hunting Facts

Game Management Unit 13 in western New Mexico spans the three counties of Socorro, Valencia and Cibola and maintains its reputation as a premier trophy elk hunting destination. Unit 13 may contain more private land than public, but its total size of nearly three million acres means that there is plenty of hunting space to go around! For more New Mexico Unit 13 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 13 section on the right.

Table of Contents

NM Unit 13 Species Hunting Info

INFO: Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 13
Unit 13 New Mexico is undoubtedly one of the BEST units for elk hunting in the state. Trophy bulls are taken every year. However, the task is not easy. Locating water is fundamental for hunting Unit 13, due to its limited sources throughout. The denser vegetation is an advantage for hunting but can be a hindrance to the hunter. Elk retreat into the areas they feel safe, so these thickets of foliage fill this instinctual need for them. Hunters that are motivated to find elk will find them in Unit 13, but the challenge will be there.

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in New Mexico Unit 13
5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 1 25.00%
Archery 2 25.00%
Muzzleloader 1 35.00%
Muzzleloader 2 22.00%
Muzzleloader 3 25.00%
Muzzleloader (YO) 48.00%
Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 13 New Mexico
Average Elk Quality 310″ – 340″
NM Area 13 Trophy Elk Potential 360″+
GMU 13 Bull to Cow Ratio 33:100
New Mexico Unit 13 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

Available Hunts for New Mexico Unit 13

Unit 13 Hunting Information Video

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Cities Near NM Unit 13

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New Mexico Unit 13 Topo Map

Total Acreage: 2,850,000 acres over 4,500 square miles

Total Public Land: 1,150,000 acres or 40%

Land Ownership Mix: 60% Private; 40% Public; USFS: 308,544 acres; BLM: 536,448 acres; State: 206,656 acres; Other Govt Owned: 901,504 acres

Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Sheep

Elevation Variances: 4,700 ft. to 9,500 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: 62% shrub/scrub, 19% evergreen forest and 16% grassland/herbaceous

Unit 13 Boundaries: Beginning at the junction of NM 53 and I-40 west of Grants and running east along I-40 to its junction with New Mexico Highway 6, then southeast along NM 6 to its junction with I-25 at Los Lunas, then south along I-25 to its junction with US 60 at Socorro, then west along US 60 to its junction with NM 12 at Datil, then southwest along NM 12 to its junction with Catron county road B034, then northwest along Catron county road B034 to its junction with Catron county road B045, then west and north along Catron county road B045 to its junction with Catron county road A056, then north along Catron county road A056 to Pie Town, then north along NM 603 to its junction with Catron county road A083, then north along Catron county road A083 to its junction with Cibola county road 41, then north along Cibola county road 41 to its junction with NM 117, then west along NM 117 to its junction with Cibola county road 42, then north along Cibola county road 42 to its junction with NM 53, then east and north along NM 53 to its junction with I-40 west of Grants.

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Lay of the Land in NM Unit 13

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Terrain in GMU 13 NM

The ever-changing gradient of the landscape in Unit 13 New Mexico makes this hunt truly adventurous. The terrain includes flat mesas, rolling hills, meadows, rocky canyons and evergreen- forested mountains. The wind patterns can be unpredictable, so be prepared to shift course depending on wind direction. The versatility of the terrain in New Mexico Unit 13 allows for hunters of every shape, size and endurance level to embark on the hunt of a lifetime!
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Vegetation in GMU Unit 13 NM

The shrubland that makes up the majority of Unit 13 is made up of various species of sage, grasses and oak. The dwarfed trees allow the wildlife a sense of security while traveling, which gives hunters a line of sight from above. The mixed-coniferous forests of the middle to high elevations are composed of spruces, firs and aspen woodlands.
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Access Points in NM GMU 13

Asphalt-topped highways are located around the unit with county roads branching off from them. The county roads become soft and harder to pass after or during wet weather. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, especially during unfavorable weather.