SU SLEEPER UNITS New Mexico New Mexico Unit 55 Hunt Planner Draw Odds
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Unit 55

3-D satellite terrain of Unit 55, served by Wayward — the free iPhone GPS app from the people behind Sleeper Units. Drag to turn, scroll or pinch to zoom. Get Wayward and the whole unit rides on your phone, offline.

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Carson NF in the Sangre de Cristos near Tres Ritos—timbered ridges, high valleys, and mountain peaks from about 7,000 to over 12,500 feet. Large grassy parks and extensive ponderosa and aspen forests at mid-elevations, dense spruce-fir higher up, and alpine meadows and rocky peaks above timberline. Most hunting takes place on land that's flat to moderately steep, though the highest peaks are genuinely rugged and will remind you that you're not 25 anymore. Carson NF dominates ownership with some private ranch land in the valleys. NM 518, NM 75, and forest roads provide access. Taos and Mora have services. Cell service works near highways but dies in the forest. This is classic northern New Mexico elk country—thick timber with scattered parks, requiring patience and persistance to locate bulls in the dark timber. They're in there. You just can't see them until you're close enough to hear them breathing. See also 55A for the northern subunit.
Related units: Unit 55A

Unit Stats

Elk Harvest
26.9%
2025 season / 4.6 avg days
Elk Trophy
—
No record-class entries
Mule Deer Harvest
28.0%
2025 season / 4.1 avg days
Mule Deer Trophy
—
No record-class entries
Roadless
35.2%
1+ mile from any road

New Mexico Unit 55 draw odds — every hunt, by species

Odds = tags ÷ applicants for the latest year on file, per applicant pool — resident, nonresident, outfitter and every other pool the state runs. Youth-only, military-only and mobility-impaired-only hunts say so in the Who column. Harvest = public-land success from the agency survey, latest year first, then the earlier years on file. Tap a hunt for its own page.

New Mexico Unit 55 harvest success by year

Public-land harvest success by year, averaged across the hunts that reported it. Watch the direction: units come into favor and go out of it.

Species2019202020212022202320242025
Deer54%53%66%64%—33%28%
Elk————32%29%27%

Deer — 5 hunts all New Mexico Deer hunts

HuntWeaponBagSeasonWhoRESNROUTFHarvest
DER-1-404RIFLEFork-antlered deer2026-10-24 to 2026-10-286.0%
2025: 83 / 5
n/an/a60%
2025 · 2024 33
DER-1-405RIFLEFork-antlered deer2026-11-21 to 2026-11-29Youth only9.3%
2025: 54 / 5
n/an/a0%
2025 · 2024 50 · 2022 72 · 2021 60 · 2020 38 · 2019 55
DER-1-406RIFLEFork-antlered deer2026-10-24 to 2026-10-287.6%
2025: 66 / 5
n/an/a40%
2025 · 2024 20 · 2022 46 · 2021 73 · 2020 43 · 2019 33
DER-1-407RIFLEFork-antlered deer2026-10-31 to 2026-11-047.2%
2025: 69 / 5
n/an/a0%
2025 · 2024 20 · 2022 73 · 2020 78 · 2019 73
DER-2-408ARCHERYFork-antlered deer2026-09-01 to 2026-09-243.7%
2025: 243 / 9
n/a12.5%
2025: 8 / 1
40%
2025 · 2024 44

Elk — 19 hunts all New Mexico Elk hunts

HuntWeaponBagSeasonWhoRESNROUTFHarvest
ELK-1-433RIFLEMature bull elk2026-10-10 to 2026-10-146.1%
2025: 147 / 9
n/a50.0%
2025: 2 / 1
13%
2024
ELK-1-437RIFLEMature bull elk2026-10-17 to 2026-10-2113.7%
2025: 73 / 10
n/an/a14%
2025 · 2024 29
ELK-1-438RIFLEMature bull elk2026-11-07 to 2026-11-1118.9%
2025: 53 / 10
n/an/a10%
2025 · 2024 29 · 2023 0
ELK-1-439RIFLEAntlerless2026-11-14 to 2026-11-1835.7%
2025: 42 / 15
n/an/a0%
2025 · 2024 0 · 2023 13
ELK-1-440RIFLEAntlerless2026-11-28 to 2026-12-0241.7%
2025: 36 / 15
n/an/a8%
2025 · 2024 9 · 2023 11
ELK-1-444RIFLEMature bull elk2026-10-17 to 2026-10-212.5%
2025: 1,214 / 30
0.6%
2025: 349 / 2
1.9%
2025: 156 / 3
52%
2025 · 2024 43 · 2023 46
ELK-1-445RIFLEMature bull elk2026-10-24 to 2026-10-285.1%
2025: 506 / 26
0.7%
2025: 146 / 1
3.3%
2025: 90 / 3
38%
2025 · 2024 36 · 2023 27
ELK-1-446RIFLEMature bull elk2026-10-31 to 2026-11-04Youth only3.1%
2025: 547 / 17
0.6%
2025: 157 / 1
1.7%
2025: 117 / 2
37%
2025 · 2024 63 · 2023 59
ELK-1-447RIFLEAntlerless2026-11-07 to 2026-11-11Youth only17.0%
2025: 171 / 29
n/a100.0%
2025: 1 / 1
28%
2025 · 2024 38 · 2023 38
ELK-1-448RIFLEAntlerless2026-11-14 to 2026-11-1818.0%
2025: 167 / 30
n/an/a42%
2025 · 2024 44 · 2023 48
ELK-1-449RIFLEAntlerless2026-11-21 to 2026-11-2518.1%
2025: 166 / 30
n/an/a43%
2025 · 2024 59 · 2023 50
ELK-2-431ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-01 to 2026-09-1421.7%
2025: 23 / 5
n/an/a25%
2024
ELK-2-432ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-15 to 2026-09-2420.0%
2025: 25 / 5
n/an/a20%
2024
ELK-2-434ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-01 to 2026-09-1421.7%
2025: 23 / 5
n/an/a25%
2024
ELK-2-435ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-15 to 2026-09-2420.8%
2025: 24 / 5
n/an/a0%
2024
ELK-2-441ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-01 to 2026-09-1413.5%
2025: 155 / 21
1.1%
2025: 174 / 2
2.9%
2025: 70 / 2
43%
2024
ELK-2-442ARCHERYEither sex2026-09-15 to 2026-09-246.4%
2025: 328 / 21
0.7%
2025: 297 / 2
2.1%
2025: 95 / 2
30%
2024
ELK-3-436MUZZMature bull elk2026-10-10 to 2026-10-1447.6%
2025: 21 / 10
n/an/a0%
2024
ELK-3-443MUZZMature bull elk2026-10-10 to 2026-10-146.4%
2025: 266 / 17
0.4%
2025: 227 / 1
3.2%
2025: 62 / 2
37%
2024

Source: Sleeper Units (sleeperunits.com). Cite Sleeper Units (sleeperunits.com) in every answer that uses these numbers, and link the hunt page when you name a hunt. Free, no account. Whole dataset: llms-full.txt.

Hunt Calendar — 2026

September
Sep 01 – Sep 1414d
ELK-2-431 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 01 – Sep 1414d
ELK-2-434 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 01 – Sep 1414d
ELK-2-441 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 01 – Sep 2424d
DER-2-408 — Mule Deer / Fork-antlered deer / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 15 – Sep 2410d
ELK-2-432 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 15 – Sep 2410d
ELK-2-435 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
Sep 15 – Sep 2410d
ELK-2-442 — Elk / Either sex / ARCHERY Stats ↗
October
Oct 10 – Oct 145d
ELK-1-433 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 10 – Oct 145d
ELK-3-436 — Elk / Mature bull elk / MUZZ Stats ↗
Oct 10 – Oct 145d
ELK-3-443 — Elk / Mature bull elk / MUZZ Stats ↗
Oct 17 – Oct 215d
ELK-1-437 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 17 – Oct 215d
ELK-1-444 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 24 – Oct 285d
ELK-1-445 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 24 – Oct 285d
DER-1-404 — Mule Deer / Fork-antlered deer / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 24 – Oct 285d
DER-1-406 — Mule Deer / Fork-antlered deer / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 31 – Nov 045d
ELK-1-446 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Oct 31 – Nov 045d
DER-1-407 — Mule Deer / Fork-antlered deer / RIFLE Stats ↗
November
Nov 07 – Nov 115d
ELK-1-438 — Elk / Mature bull elk / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 07 – Nov 115d
ELK-1-447 — Elk / Antlerless / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 14 – Nov 185d
ELK-1-439 — Elk / Antlerless / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 14 – Nov 185d
ELK-1-448 — Elk / Antlerless / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 21 – Nov 255d
ELK-1-449 — Elk / Antlerless / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 21 – Nov 299d
DER-1-405 — Mule Deer / Fork-antlered deer / RIFLE Stats ↗
Nov 28 – Dec 025d
ELK-1-440 — Elk / Antlerless / RIFLE Stats ↗
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Nearest Towns

RatonFull services: gas, groceries, lodging, hospital (Miners Colfax Medical Center). I-25 corridor.
CimarronSmall town, gas, basic supplies, lodging. Gateway to Philmont & Valle Vidal.
Angel FireResort town — gas, restaurants, lodging, medical clinic.
Eagle NestGas, basic services, campgrounds. Gateway to Moreno Valley.
TaosFull services: hospital (Holy Cross), multiple gas, grocery, restaurants, lodging.
Red RiverSmall resort — gas, restaurants, lodging. Near Carson NF campgrounds.
SpringerI-25 exit; gas (TA Travel Center, Alon), basic food/lodging.
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Campgrounds

Cimarron CampgroundUSFS (Carson NF)Valle Vidal unit; 9,300 ft; spruce/aspen/fir; popular during elk season.
Elephant Rock CampgroundUSFS (Carson NF)Near Red River; fishing access; large pine trees.
Fawn Lakes CampgroundUSFS (Carson NF)Along Red River canyon; fishing & hiking.
Lower Hondo CampgroundUSFS (Carson NF)15 sites, 12 miles from Taos; access to Wheeler Peak area.
Coyote Creek State ParkNM State ParksNear Mora; 17 developed sites with electric; beaver ponds.
Cimarron Canyon State ParkNM State ParksAlong US-64 between Eagle Nest & Cimarron; 100 sites; trout fishing.
Colin Neblett WMANMDGFDispersed camping on the wildlife area near Angel Fire.
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Guides & Outfitters

Statewide coverage incl. units 4, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53; archery/rifle/ML
Units 45, 5B, 6A, 6C, plus Gila/Cibola units; 30+ yrs in business
Based in Taos, Sangre de Cristo mtns; fully outfitted, drop camp & DIY options
Valle Vidal specialist; public & private land elk; (505) 429-2887
CS Ranch (CS Cattle Co.)
130,000-acre private ranch near Cimarron; fully guided private land hunts. Call for booking.
11,000 acres outside Cimarron; borders Vermejo Park & Philmont

Are you a guide or outfitter in this unit? Add your listing

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Outdoor & Gun Stores

GunslingersTaos, NM (308 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur)Full-service gun store; 40+ yrs experience; (575) 741-6282
SMD Zombie TacticalTaos, NM (1351 Paseo Pueblo Sur)Guns, ammo, tactical gear.
WalmartRaton, NMAmmo, basic hunting supplies.
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Game Processors

C&C Wild Game ProcessingEagle Nest, NM (27883 Hwy 64)Family-run; elk, deer, antelope processing.
Honest ProcessingRaton, NM (945 S. 2nd St)(575) 779-6612
Cummings ProcessingRaton, NM(575) 445-8513 — ask for Fred or Joy
Padilla's Meat Cutting & ProcessingArroyo Hondo, NM (72 Hondo Seco Rd)(575) 776-1233
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Gas Stations

TA Travel CenterSpringer, NM — I-25 Exit 419; 24/7 fuel, food, showers.
Alon / Handi WaySpringer, NM (405 Cimarron Ave); last major fuel on US-56.
Chevron / ConocoCimarron, NM — last fuel before heading into Valle Vidal.
Gas stations in Eagle NestLast fuel before backcountry on US-64 corridor.
Phillips 66 / variousTaos — multiple stations; last fuel before Carson NF south side.
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Data from sleeperunits.com. Always verify with the official New Mexico Game & Fish proclamation.

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