Unit 31 (Datil / Plains of San Agustin)
New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer
Unit 31 covers the Datil country and Plains of San Agustin in west-central New Mexico. Mule deer tags are allocated through the NMDGF pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Consult the NMDGF big-game hunt booklet for current hunt codes.
Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 31
Unit 31 covers the Datil country and Plains of San Agustin in west-central New Mexico. Mule deer tags are allocated through the NMDGF pure random draw with no preference or bonus points. Consult the NMDGF big-game hunt booklet for current hunt codes.
Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 31
Unit 31 mule deer use the plains and broken country of west-central New Mexico. Consult NMDGF GMU maps and land-ownership overlays before scouting.
How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 31
Mule Deer Success Rates
Mule Deer Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 792 | 2,722 | 29.1% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 55 | 280 | 19.6% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 736 | 2,037 | 36.1% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 52 | 267 | 19.5% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (resident) | 245 | 473 | 51.8% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 17 | 96 | 17.7% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 232 | 392 | 59.2% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 31 | 103 | 30.1% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (resident) | 159 | 306 | 52.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 11 | 38 | 28.9% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 154 | 99 | 100.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 11 | 15 | 73.3% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 736 | 1,999 | 36.8% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 52 | 249 | 20.9% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 217 | 410 | 52.9% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 40 | 107 | 37.4% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 147 | 98 | 100.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 11 | 23 | 47.8% | — |
Data from 2021 draw results. Each row is one residency pool — read the label before the number. This agency publishes no point thresholds, so the Pts column stays blank and these are pool odds, not what a point total draws.
Open in Draw Odds EngineUnit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Unit 31 mule deer tags allocated?
Where do I find Unit 31 season dates?
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Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.
- NMDGF Hunting — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Overview of New Mexico hunting programs, Agency hub for licenses and seasons · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Species-specific management info, Season framework by animal · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes and GMU boundaries, Tag quotas and season dates · accessed 2026-04-17