At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Semi-guided drop-camp hunts are available
- Sheep hunters should consider hiring guides
- Trout fishing in the Pecos River and other waters




Hunters discussing Unit 45 in New Mexico highlight the area's challenging terrain and recommend being prepared for steep and rugged conditions. The draw odds are competitive, indicating the unit's popularity, but successful hunters often mention the importance of scouting before the season to locate game effectively. Elk and deer are the primary targets, with many noting the necessity of understanding their seasonal movements and behavior. Overall, persistence and preparation are key, with experienced hunters emphasizing the value of patience and adaptability in this unit.
Northeast of Santa Fe, this area includes a large part of the Santa Fe and Carson national forest and the Pecos Wilderness area. Hunters can find decent densities of mule deer, elk, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep here. This area is extremely rugged and will pose for a physical hunt to anyone with a tag.
Famous for producing some large Rocky Mountain bighorn rams, this area has good numbers of elk available to public hunters, as well as mule deer.