Unit 57 (Unit 57 — Colfax North)
New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk
Unit 57 covers northern Colfax County from the Sangre de Cristo foothills east to the plains. Oak, PJ, and sagebrush from 6,000 to 9,500 feet. Over three cycles, 169 tags drew from 426 applicants. Solid public and private opportunity with mature-buck potential.
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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 57
Unit 57 covers northern Colfax County from the Sangre de Cristo foothills east to the plains. Oak, PJ, and sagebrush from 6,000 to 9,500 feet. Over three cycles, 169 tags drew from 426 applicants. Solid public and private opportunity with mature-buck potential.
Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 57
Habitat bands.
Sangre Foothills (8,000–9,500 ft)
Oak/conifer benches on Carson NF fringe.
Mid-Elevation Oak (7,000–8,000 ft)
Classic mule deer country.
Sage/PJ Plains (6,000–7,000 ft)
Late-season ground.
Unit 57 terrain and land status
Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up
The lay of it
- 5,957–8,165 ft on a terrain sample , averaging 7,236 ft ; peaks can run higher.
- 428.5 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
- 9 tanks
- 25 stream segments
- 3 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 Unit 57 Mule Deer
Mule Deer Success Rates
Mule Deer Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 10 | 10 | 100.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 10 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 9 | 31 | 29.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 10 | 1 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 17 | 52.9% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 10 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (resident) | 19 | 14 | 100.0% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (resident) | 13 | 18 | 72.2% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 42 | 91 | 46.2% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 4 | 3 | 100.0% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 17 | 102 | 16.7% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 1 | 8 | 12.5% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 13 | 13 | 100.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | — |
Data from 2022 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
Is Sugarite Canyon State Park huntable on a Unit 57 tag?
Is ranch access required for NM Unit 57 pronghorn?
Can I hunt anywhere in New Mexico Unit 57?
How many elk are in Unit 57?
What is the draw system for New Mexico Unit 57 elk?
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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 2026-04-18.
- 2026-2027 NM Hunting Rules and Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Unit 57 boundary, Deer hunt codes, Sugarite Canyon SP exclusion · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Deer Species Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Mule deer management · accessed 2026-04-17
- Sugarite Canyon State Park — NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department · supports: State park boundary exclusion · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Pronghorn Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pronghorn management · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Applications and Draw Information — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Pure random draw · accessed 2026-04-17
- NMDGF Elk Species Info — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: Elk management in south-central NM, Season and weapon structure · accessed 2026-04-18
- NMDGF Hunt Unit Maps — New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · supports: GMU 57 boundary map, Restricted area overlays (White Sands Missile Range closure) · accessed 2026-04-18