Unit 48
New Mexico Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Elk, Mule Deer
Unit 48 lies in the rolling caprock country and cedar breaks of eastern New Mexico. Elk are managed under limited tags in brushy canyon and cedar habitat in this unit, which is primarily known as mule deer and pronghorn country. The pure random draw gives every applicant equal odds for these limited tags.
Build your own PDF hunt guide for Unit 48
Answer a few questions about your tag, your season and your rig, and the Field Intelligence Report builds a print-ready New Mexico Unit 48 guide around your hunt: three ranked spots with morning, afternoon and evening plays, a day-by-day plan, topo maps with every pin numbered, a camp and access plan, the legal and retrieval rules for this unit, shot discipline, a meat-care and pack-out plan, and a pre-trip checklist. Every coordinate sits on land recorded as public.
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Elk Hunting in Unit 48
Unit 48 lies in the rolling caprock country and cedar breaks of eastern New Mexico. Elk are managed under limited tags in brushy canyon and cedar habitat in this unit, which is primarily known as mule deer and pronghorn country. The pure random draw gives every applicant equal odds for these limited tags.
Where to Find Elk in Unit 48
Unit 48 elk are concentrated in cedar breaks and canyon country in eastern New Mexico.
Cedar Breaks and Rimrock
Dense cedar and pinon-juniper on caprock rims and breaks provide cover and browse for resident elk. These areas are primary bedding habitat during daylight hours.
Playa Margins and Draws
Seasonal playas and draws attract elk for water and lush forb growth. Glass these open areas early morning and late evening when animals leave heavy cover to feed.
Canyon Bottoms
Deeper canyon systems with permanent water draw elk especially during drought conditions. Scout drainages for fresh sign.
Unit 48 terrain and land status
Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up
The lay of it
- 6,043–9,358 ft on a terrain sample , averaging 7,183 ft ; peaks can run higher.
- 379 sq mi inside the boundary.
Who owns the ground
- Private / Other — 100%
Roughly 0% is public. Carry a land-status layer anyway — these are area percentages, not a map of where the boundaries fall.
Water on the ground
- 28 tanks
- 18 stream segments
- 8 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 Elk in Unit 48
Elk Success Rates
Elk Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 209 | 386 | 54.1% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 7 | 40 | 17.5% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (resident) | 136 | 109 | 100.0% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 8 | 72 | 11.1% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (resident) | 42 | 91 | 46.2% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 3 | 20 | 15.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw bull/buck only (resident) | 117 | 228 | 51.3% | — |
| Rifle — Draw bull/buck only (nonresident) | 9 | 68 | 13.2% | — |
| Rifle — Draw antlerless (resident) | 104 | 204 | 51.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw bull/buck only (resident) | 51 | 57 | 89.5% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw bull/buck only (nonresident) | 3 | 12 | 25.0% | — |
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
Are there really elk in Unit 48 of eastern New Mexico?
What is the terrain like for mule deer hunting in Unit 48?
Is Unit 48 good for trophy mule deer?
Is Unit 48 good for DIY nonresidents?
How tough is the Pecos Wilderness for elk?
Can I apply for Unit 48 elk and deer the same year?
How does Unit 48 deer compare to the elk hunt?
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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: Hunt unit overview, Season structure, License requirements · accessed 2026-04-16
- NMDGF Hunting by Species — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Species management, GMU eligibility, Season summary · accessed 2026-04-16
- 2024 Big Game Hunt Booklet — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Hunt codes, Tag quotas, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-16
- 2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Info (RIB) — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 48 elk boundary, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Elk Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Elk management overview, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
- Carson National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Forest access, Pecos Wilderness info · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Mule Deer Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer management overview, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17