Unit 33 (Unit 33)
New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn
GMU 33 covers the rugged Black Range and the eastern flank of the Gila National Forest in central-southwest New Mexico. Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and pinon-juniper habitat from 5,500 to 10,000 feet supports a solid mule deer population. The unit's combination of national forest land and limited hunter access produces bucks with above-average antler development.
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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 33
GMU 33 covers the rugged Black Range and the eastern flank of the Gila National Forest in central-southwest New Mexico. Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and pinon-juniper habitat from 5,500 to 10,000 feet supports a solid mule deer population. The unit's combination of national forest land and limited hunter access produces bucks with above-average antler development.
Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 33
Mule deer in GMU 33 use the full elevation range of the Black Range, from pinon-juniper foothills to mixed conifer ridgetops. The best buck areas are mid-elevation benches and canyon heads where food, cover, and water converge.
Black Range Ridgelines (8,000–10,000 ft)
Mature bucks summer at high elevation and stage there through early archery season. Glass the open parks and south-facing slopes along the main Black Range crest for bucks feeding before frost pushes them down.
Pinon-Juniper Benches (5,500–7,000 ft)
During rifle season, bucks drop to lower pinon-juniper habitat to follow does. The broad benches and canyon edges in the lower unit hold good numbers of deer and offer more accessible glassing terrain.
Canyon Drainages and Seeps
Water is the key to finding deer in dry years. Identify tinajas, earthen tanks, and seep springs on USFS land and observe from 200 yards or more downwind during midday.
Unit 33 terrain and land status
Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up
The lay of it
- 3,457–4,415 ft on a terrain sample , averaging 3,873 ft ; peaks can run higher.
- 2,272.4 sq mi inside the boundary. Big enough that picking one drainage beats driving three.
Who owns the ground
- BLM — 15%
- State Trust — 8%
- Private / Other — 77%
Roughly 23% is public. Carry a land-status layer anyway — these are area percentages, not a map of where the boundaries fall.
Water on the ground
- 368 tanks
- 63 stream segments
- 29 lakes
Counts from mapping data, so this is how many exist, not how many hold water in a dry year. Sitting water only pays where you find fresh tracks.
How to Hunt Mule Deer in GMU 33
Mule Deer Success Rates
Mule Deer Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 252 | 1,688 | 14.9% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 18 | 199 | 9.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 252 | 1,334 | 18.9% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 18 | 166 | 10.8% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (resident) | 96 | 295 | 32.5% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 6 | 38 | 15.8% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 93 | 262 | 35.5% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 6 | 55 | 10.9% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 252 | 1,301 | 19.4% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 18 | 175 | 10.3% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 95 | 252 | 37.7% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 6 | 60 | 10.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 129 | 91 | 100.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 8 | 11 | 72.7% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 12 | 75.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (resident) | 5 | 21 | 23.8% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw antlerless (resident) | 5 | 2 | 100.0% | — |
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
When is the mule deer rut in GMU 33?
Are there pronghorn and mule deer tags available in the same unit 33?
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Upgrade to Pro — $49/yrSources & Verification
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: Unit boundaries, Season dates, License quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer management overview, GMU eligibility, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
- 2024 Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes, Tag quotas by unit, Resident and nonresident limits · accessed 2026-04-17