Unit 16D Unit 16D
A near-all-public elk factory of ponderosa spines and rugged canyons where bulls grow big.
Gila high country — Mogollon & Tularosa Mountains · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
472
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–9,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 16D covers the northern Tularosa Mountains and rugged upper Gila country around Reserve, and it is best known for a large elk herd that produces very big bulls. It is nearly 90% public land — mostly Gila National Forest — with the Gila Wilderness boundary forming part of its edge. A high mountain spine runs north-south with ridges descending east and west, cut by steep arroyos and canyons. Mule deer are present but rare and low in quality; elk are the show here.
Terrain
A mostly 7,500-9,000 ft mountain spine runs north-south with ridges gradually descending both directions, sliced by steep arroyos and rugged canyons with sandstone and basalt cliffs along mesas.
Cover: Desert grassland and pinon-juniper foothills climb into ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and mixed conifer on the higher Mogollon and Tularosa ridges.
Landmarks: Mogollon Mountains · Tularosa Mountains · Gila Wilderness boundary · San Francisco River · Bursum Road (NM 159) · Snow Lake area
Access
Nearly 90% public Gila National Forest. Roads access the periphery while the Gila Wilderness core is roadless foot/horse country. Private ranch inholdings sit along the San Francisco River and valley bottoms, and some elk tags in this unit are landowner (E-PLUS) permits — but the public draw dominates here. No significant tribal land in this unit.
Managers: USFS Gila NF, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust
Access points: NM 159 (Bursum Road) · Reserve (US 180) · Snow Lake / FR 141 · Willow Creek · Gila Wilderness trailheads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant trophyThe premier species and the only one with harvest data (5-yr ~44% success, ~257 taken — the strongest success of the three 16-series units here). Great elk numbers and bulls that reach very large sizes.
- →Hunt the high 7,500-9,000 ft spine and ridge systems, then work bulls down the descending east/west ridges
- →Glass ponderosa parks and canyon heads at dawn and dusk
- →During the rut, call in the mixed-conifer stringers and check water tanks
- →Backpack into the Gila Wilderness portions to reach unpressured bulls
Mule Deer
limited lowMule deer occur across the forest around Reserve but are rare with generally low trophy potential — a secondary opportunity at best.
- →Glass PJ foothills and oak transitions from high vantages
- →Treat deer as an opportunistic add-on to an elk hunt
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear are well established in the heavily forested Mogollon and Tularosa canyon country.
- →Glass oak-brush and berry-rich slopes in early fall
- →Work timbered drainages and mast draws at first and last light
Pro tips
- →This unit posts the best elk success of the three — hunt the high spine and its descending ridges
- →Base out of Reserve and use Bursum Road for the north, but budget hours for the drive
- →Backpack or pack-string into the Gila Wilderness edge to escape road pressure
- →Don't burn a deer tag expecting quality — 16D is an elk unit first
- →Hunt water sources in dry years
Watch out for
- !Private ranch inholdings along the San Francisco River and valleys — verify boundaries; some tags here are E-PLUS landowner permits
- !Gila Wilderness core is foot/horse only — no motorized or mechanized access
- !High-country roads (Bursum) can close with early snow
- !Wildfire and post-fire closures are recurring in the Gila NF
- !No cell service and long emergency response times
Logistics
Reserve is the hub for fuel, food, and lodging on the north end. Bursum Road (NM 159) is a slow, winding mountain route — plan travel time. Wilderness hunts require horses or a backpack. Cell service is essentially nonexistent; carry maps, recovery gear, and extra fuel.
Nearest towns: Reserve, Glenwood, Alma, Silver City, Quemado
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official New Mexico sources:
Research sources: NMDGF Unit 16D Boundary Map · GoHunt New Mexico Unit 16D Profile · Hunters Domain — NM Unit 16D Hunting Information · Gila National Forest (USFS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 16D in New Mexico?
- Unit 16D (Unit 16D) covers about 472 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 16D?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Gila NF, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 16D?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 16D on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.