Unit 27 Deer Hunting, New Mexico
New Mexico hunting unit · 1,036 sq mi
Draw hunts — random, no points
New Mexico has no preference or bonus points: every hunt here with draw odds is a random draw, with its own hunt code. Residents, nonresidents applying without an outfitter, and applicants applying with a registered outfitter (a pool open to residents and nonresidents) are drawn in separate pools, and the table gives each pool's odds in words. A Private-Land Only Deer License, sold outside the draw, covers private land only, with the landowner's written permission; it is never valid on public land, State Trust land included.
What hunting Unit 27 is like
Unit 27 is gentle and rolling country, with mean slope around 5.5 degrees and the overwhelming majority of the ground classed as gentle or moderate terrain. Steep and rugged ground is scarce, which makes most of the unit workable on foot but also means cover is the limiting factor rather than terrain. Lower elevations run to grass and meadow with shrub and brush mixed in, the mid elevations lean heavily to shrub and brush, and the higher ground adds a small share of conifer and pinyon-juniper woodland on top of more shrub and brush and grass. Deer hunting here is largely a game of glassing open ground and working the brush edges where animals bed and move.
About 68% of the unit is public land under BLM, State Trust, and National Forest ownership, though ownership is not the same as guaranteed access — some parcels are closed or restricted. State Trust land, roughly 19% of the unit, can be used only during a hunter's own hunt plus up to seven days of scouting beforehand, entering by public or established roads, and some parcels are withdrawn, so checking the State Land Office's access map matters. The remaining 32% is private land requiring written permission. The Foster fire (2022) burned about 7,600 acres on the unit's south side, and the Miller fire (2019) burned about 5,800 acres on the southwest side; hunters should check for current fire closures before heading out.
Deer hunters here have two separate paths: the draw hunts below, awarded by random sequence rather than first-choice priority, and a Private-Land Only Deer License sold outside the draw, valid solely on private land with written permission and never on public land of any kind, State Trust included. New Mexico has no points system for deer, so there is nothing to build or hold from one season to the next — every application stands on its own in the random draw.
Deer hunts in Unit 27 (2026–27)
Each row is a hunt a hunter selects by its hunt code. Draw difficulty is a band in words from the 2026 first-choice results — good, fair, long or very long odds — for each pool; a dash means too few applicants to give a fair band. It is not a published percentage. The outfitter pool is open to both residents and nonresidents.
| Hunt | Dates | Legal deer | Resident | Nonresident, no outfitter | With an outfitter | Rut phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArcheryQuality hunt DER-2-282 | September 1 – September 24 | Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer | — | — | — | Late Fawning / Summer Pattern |
| ArcheryQuality hunt DER-2-281 | September 1 – September 24 | Fork-antlered mule deer | — | — | — | Late Fawning / Velvet Shed |
| MuzzleloaderQuality hunt DER-3-286 | October 31 – November 4 | Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer | Good odds | — | — | Hard-Antler Fall / Security Pattern |
| MuzzleloaderQuality hunt DER-3-285 | October 31 – November 4 | Fork-antlered mule deer | — | — | — | Early Fall / Hard-Antler Pattern |
| Any legal weaponQuality hunt DER-1-276 | November 7 – November 11 | Fork-antlered mule deer | Fair odds | Long odds | — | Early Fall / Hard-Antler Pattern |
| Any legal weaponQuality hunt DER-1-277 | November 14 – November 18 | Fork-antlered mule deer | Good odds | — | — | Pre-Rut / Seeking Build-Up |
| Any legal weaponQuality hunt DER-1-278 | November 21 – November 25 | Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer | Long odds | Very long odds | Very long odds | Pre-Rut / Early Breeding |
| Any legal weaponQuality hunt DER-1-280 | December 5 – December 13 | Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer | Long odds | Very long odds | Very long odds | Pre-Rut / Early Breeding |
| ArcheryQuality hunt DER-2-283 | January 1 – January 15, 2027 | Fork-antlered mule deer | Fair odds | — | — | Primary Rut / Late Rut |
| ArcheryQuality hunt DER-2-284 | January 16 – January 31, 2027 | Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer | Good odds | Long odds | — | Primary Rut / Breeding, Late Rut / Post-Rut Transition |
"Residents only" hunts (antlerless elk, and hunts held only on state wildlife areas) are closed to nonresidents. "Unlimited" hunts are private-land hunts: no quota, no draw, valid on private land only with the landowner's written permission. A "Quality hunt" is a State Wildlife Commission designation for hunts meant to improve the chance of a successful harvest, offer a wider selection of mature animals, or give a better experience through timing or hunter density. Youth, mobility-impaired, military and other special-eligibility hunts are not listed.
Archery · Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer · September 1 – September 24
This early-season archery hunt for Coues white-tailed deer falls in the Late Fawning / Summer Pattern phase. The terrain's gentle slopes and mix of grass, meadow, and shrub and brush make for long sightlines across lower and mid elevations, with pinyon-juniper woodland adding cover higher up. Hunters work the unit's public ownership and any private ground they've secured permission on, legal only on fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer. It is a quiet stretch of the calendar with no rut activity yet underway.
Archery · Fork-antlered mule deer · September 1 – September 24
Opening in the Late Fawning / Velvet Shed phase, this archery hunt for mule deer covers the same early-fall window as the Coues season. Bucks are still carrying antlers through this phase, and the open, gently rolling ground lets a hunter glass from a distance before closing in through the shrub and brush that dominates the mid and upper elevations. Legal animal is fork-antlered mule deer only, and access runs across the unit's public and private ground alike, permission required on the latter. Terrain here rarely forces technical climbing, so most of the hunt is foot travel across rolling country.
Muzzleloader · Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer · October 31 – November 4
This muzzleloader hunt for Coues white-tailed deer sits in the Hard-Antler Fall / Security Pattern phase, after summer patterns have broken up but ahead of any rut behavior. Fork-antlered Coues deer are the only legal animal, and the unit's open, low-relief terrain across grass, meadow, and brush gives hunters room to post up and watch. Resident applicants draw this hunt at Good odds. The gentle ground means access is less the challenge than finding where deer are holding in the brush.
Muzzleloader · Fork-antlered mule deer · October 31 – November 4
Also set in the Hard-Antler Fall / Security Pattern phase, this muzzleloader mule deer hunt runs the same late-October into early-November window. Legal animal is fork-antlered mule deer, and the country is the same rolling mix of grass, meadow, shrub and brush, with a small share of woodland cover at the higher elevations. The gentle terrain keeps most of the unit accessible on foot, though hunters working the Foster or Miller fire scars should expect regrowth and deadfall to shape movement through those areas.
Any legal weapon · Fork-antlered mule deer · November 7 – November 11
This any-legal-weapon mule deer hunt in early-to-mid November falls in the Early Fall / Hard-Antler Pattern phase, before any seeking or breeding behavior has begun. Fork-antlered mule deer are the only legal take, and the open, gently sloped country favors glassing from a distance across the grass and brush that make up most of the mid and lower elevations. Resident applicants see Fair odds and nonresidents without an outfitter face Long odds for this hunt. The wider range of legal weapons gives more flexibility for closing distance once a buck is spotted.
Any legal weapon · Fork-antlered mule deer · November 14 – November 18
Running into the Pre-Rut / Seeking Build-Up phase, this mid-November any-legal-weapon mule deer hunt is timed as bucks begin to move more in search of does, though activity may be building rather than in full swing. Fork-antlered mule deer are legal, and the unit's gentle terrain and open grass-and-brush cover keep most of the ground walkable and visible for spot-and-stalk approaches. Resident applicants draw this hunt at Good odds, among the better bands on the unit. Hunters working public ownership should keep in mind some parcels carry access restrictions despite being open on paper.
Any legal weapon · Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer · November 21 – November 25
This late-November any-legal-weapon hunt for Coues white-tailed deer falls in the Pre-Rut / Early Breeding phase. Fork-antlered Coues deer are the only legal animal, and the open, low-relief country with its grass, meadow, and brush cover gives room to watch from a distance before moving in. Resident applicants face Long odds, while nonresidents without an outfitter and those applying with an outfitter both face Very long odds. The gentle terrain means most of the challenge lies in locating deer in the brush rather than in covering difficult ground.
Any legal weapon · Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer · December 5 – December 13
This December hunt for Coues white-tailed deer also sits in the Pre-Rut / Early Breeding phase, running into cooler conditions with December averaging close to freezing lows; hunters should plan around whatever snow has actually accumulated rather than assume bare ground. Fork-antlered Coues deer are the only legal take, and the same gentle, open terrain of grass, meadow, and brush defines the hunt. Resident applicants draw Long odds, with nonresidents without an outfitter and those applying with an outfitter both at Very long odds. Any legal weapon is permitted, giving more options for the harder-to-pattern Coues deer.
Archery · Fork-antlered mule deer · January 1 – January 15, 2027
This January archery mule deer hunt falls in the Primary Rut / Late Rut phase, when buck movement tied to breeding activity is underway. Fork-antlered mule deer are legal, and the gentle, rolling terrain across grass, meadow, and brush cover supports long-range glassing before a close archery approach. Resident applicants see Fair odds for this hunt. Light snow has historically fallen in January, so hunters should be ready to adjust tactics based on whatever has actually built up on the ground.
Archery · Fork-antlered Coues white-tailed deer · January 16 – January 31, 2027
Spanning the end of the Primary Rut / Breeding phase and into the Late Rut / Post-Rut Transition phase, this archery hunt for Coues white-tailed deer closes out the unit's deer calendar. Fork-antlered Coues deer are the only legal animal, and the open, gently sloped country of grass, meadow, and brush offers plenty of visibility for locating deer during this breeding-related window. Resident applicants draw Good odds, while nonresidents without an outfitter face Long odds. January's light average snowfall means conditions on the ground can vary, so hunters should plan around current accumulation rather than the average.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 3,900–6,900 ft, typically around 4,600 ft
- Slope breakdown
- 80% gentle · 16% moderate · 4% steep · 0% rugged
- Public land by ownership
- ~708 sq mi
Habitat & cover
What grows here, by elevation. Each band adds to 100% on its own — these are shares of that band, not of the unit.
Lower elevations
- Grass and meadow49%
- Shrub and brush37%
- Other cover14%
Mid elevations
- Shrub and brush70%
- Grass and meadow29%
- Other cover1%
Higher elevations
- Shrub and brush71%
- Grass and meadow22%
- Conifer and pinyon-juniper7%
Cover classes from the USGS National Land Cover Database. “Other cover” is the remainder — bare ground, water, agriculture and developed land.
Recent fires
Wildfires in the last several seasons that burned a meaningful share of Unit 27. Fire perimeters show where a fire burned, not how hot — and closures change through the year, so check current fire closures and restrictions before you go.
- Foster fire, 2022 — about 7,600 acres in the unit (1%), mostly on its south side.
- Miller fire, 2019 — about 5,800 acres in the unit, mostly on its southwest side.
Fire perimeters from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Land & access
About 68% of Unit 27 is public land by ownership — BLM, State Trust land and National Forest. Ownership is not the same as legal access: some parcels are closed or restricted.
- BLM39%
- State Trust land19%
- National Forest10%
- Private32%
Public land includes State Trust land (19% of this unit). You may use it only during your own hunt, plus up to 7 days of scouting beforehand, entering by public or established roads (NM State Land Office / Game Commission easement). Some parcels are withdrawn; check the State Land Office's hunting-access map.
Fall weather
- August — highs around 91°F, lows around 62°F
- September — highs around 87°F, lows around 57°F
- October — highs around 79°F, lows around 45°F
- November — highs around 67°F, lows around 35°F
- December — highs around 58°F, lows around 28°F
Unit 27 deer hunting FAQ
How does a hunter get a deer licence for Unit 27?
A hunter can apply for one of the draw hunts listed for Unit 27, each identified by its own hunt code and weapon/legal-animal combination. Alternatively, a Private-Land Only Deer License is sold outside the draw to residents and nonresidents alike, valid only on private land with the landowner's written permission. That private-land licence is never valid on public land, including State Trust land.
How hard are the Unit 27 deer hunts to draw, and does it differ by pool?
Odds vary by hunt and by pool. For example, the muzzleloader Coues hunt (DER-3-286) shows Good odds for residents, while the November any-legal-weapon Coues hunt (DER-1-278) and the December Coues hunt (DER-1-280) show Long odds for residents and Very long odds for nonresidents and outfitter-pool applicants alike. Each pool's odds are given in words only and apply per application, not per person.
Can a nonresident hunt deer in Unit 27?
Yes, a nonresident can apply for the draw hunts in the nonresident pool or the outfitter pool, which is open to both residents and nonresidents. A nonresident can also obtain a Private-Land Only Deer License, usable only on private land with written permission. Nonresidents are not eligible for any hunt restricted to residents only.
Does New Mexico have a points system for deer in Unit 27?
No, New Mexico has no preference points or bonus points system for deer at all. Every application in the draw stands independently each year, with no points to build or hold.
How much of Unit 27 is public land, and what is the rule on State Trust land?
About 68% of Unit 27 is public land under BLM, State Trust, and National Forest ownership, with the remaining 32% private and requiring written permission to hunt. State Trust land, about 19% of the unit, can only be used during a hunter's own hunt plus up to seven days of scouting beforehand, entering by public or established roads, and some parcels are withdrawn from access.
Data sources & methodology
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — Hunting Rules & Info booklet (2026-27) — season dates, legal animals, hunt codes and the rules for each hunt
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — How the New Mexico draw works — the random draw, the choices a hunter ranks and how licences are split among the draw pools
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — Applications and draw information — the draw results behind the draw-difficulty bands for each pool
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — Game management unit maps — unit boundaries and the official unit maps
- USGS / MRLC — National Land Cover Database — habitat and cover classes by elevation band
- USGS PAD-US — Protected Areas Database of the United States — land ownership and access
- Daymet daily climate, 1991–2020 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) — fall weather
- National Interagency Fire Center — wildfire perimeters — recent fires, their size and where they burned
Draw difficulty is a qualitative band from first-choice results for each pool, not published odds. Rut phases are regional timing, not New Mexico-specific dates. Land shares are separate, non-overlapping categories. Confirm current dates and rules in the New Mexico Hunting Rules & Info booklet before you hunt. Unit data last updated October 21, 2026.