Unit 5B (Jemez Mountains - South)
New Mexico Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk
Unit 5B covers the southern Jemez Mountains of north-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 5B
Unit 5B covers the southern Jemez Mountains of north-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 5B
Unit 5B mule deer use the Jemez Mountain habitat of north-central New Mexico. Use NMDGF GMU maps and land-ownership overlays to identify huntable public ground.
How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 5B
Mule Deer Success Rates
Mule Deer Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 21 | 1,367 | 1.5% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 2 | 327 | 0.6% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (resident) | 9 | 382 | 2.4% | — |
| Rifle — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 10 | 18 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 300 | 3.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 10 | 2 | 0.0% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (resident) | 9 | 166 | 5.4% | — |
| Archery — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 10 | 3 | 0.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (resident) | 9 | 192 | 4.7% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw either sex (nonresident) | 10 | 0 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 26 | 1,312 | 2.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 1 | 325 | 0.3% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 130 | 6.9% | — |
| Archery — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 10 | 1 | 0.0% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 108 | 8.3% | — |
| Muzzleloader — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 10 | 2 | 0.0% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (resident) | 9 | 282 | 3.2% | — |
| Rifle — Draw buck only (nonresident) | 10 | 5 | 0.0% | — |
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
How are Unit 5B mule deer tags allocated?
Where do I find Unit 5B season dates?
Are there Pueblo land closures in GMU 5B?
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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