Unit 22 Unit 22
Wilderness backcountry elk and mule deer on the roof of the Gila.
Western Gila high country — Mogollon Mountains · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
394
sq mi
Public land
69%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–10,658
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
Unit 22 is a compact but rugged slice of the western Gila National Forest, anchored by the Mogollon Mountains and the western edge of the Gila Wilderness. High timbered peaks and roadless canyons rise above lower grassy flats and desert breaks, making it a horseback-and-backpack unit where the best hunting is far from any road. Mule deer are the mainstay, with elk, black bear, pronghorn on the lower flats, and a limited Rocky Mountain bighorn presence rounding out the big game.
Terrain
The northern and eastern two-thirds sit inside roadless Gila Wilderness high country, with steep timbered ridges, sheer rock cliffs, and deep canyons topping out over 10,000 ft. The southern portion drops into flatter grassy flats and barren desert breaks, much of it private.
Cover: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and aspen on the peaks; pinyon-juniper and Gambel oak on the mid-slopes; grassland and scrub on the lower desert flats.
Landmarks: Mogollon Mountains · Gila Wilderness (western edge) · Whitewater-Baldy · Mogollon Baldy · Whitewater Creek · San Francisco River
Access
About 69% public, nearly all USFS Gila National Forest and designated wilderness in the north and east — no motorized travel inside the Gila Wilderness. The lower southern flats are largely private ranchland; elk on private ground are hunted through NM's landowner E-PLUS system, so confirm boundaries before hunting the south end. No pueblo or reservation land in this unit.
Managers: USFS Gila NF, Gila Wilderness, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS)
Access points: Mogollon / NM-159 Bursum Road · Glenwood and Catwalk (Whitewater) trailheads · Willow Creek / Gila Wilderness trailheads off FR 507 · US-180 corridor near Alma
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe primary deer here; recent harvest ran roughly 68 animals at about 27% success. Bucks hold in the high timber and canyon country away from roads.
- →Backpack or pack in above 8,000 ft and glass the timbered benches and oak stringers at first and last light
- →Hunt canyon rims and saddles connecting bedding timber to feed
- →Focus effort inside the wilderness where pressure thins out
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityGila-quality elk use the high mixed-conifer and meadow parks; tags are valid across Unit 22 and 16B. Bulls can be very good for hunters willing to go deep.
- →Locate bugling bulls in the mixed-conifer parks at dawn during the rut
- →Work wallows and north-slope timber in warm early seasons
- →Be ready to pack meat long distances by horse or on foot
Black Bear
common qualityHealthy black bear population through the timbered canyons and oak brush; bearproof camps are a must.
- →Glass oak-brush hillsides and canyon bottoms feeding on acorns in fall
- →Watch riparian corridors and berry patches
- →Hang food and keep a clean camp
Pronghorn
limited opportunityAntelope use the lower grassy flats and desert breaks on the south end, much of it private.
- →Glass open grassland flats from vantage points
- →Secure private-land permission or E-PLUS access before hunting antelope ground
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyRocky Mountain bighorn occupy the sheer cliff and rimrock country in the wilderness; a rare, tightly limited tag.
- →Glass rimrock and cliff bands from long distance
- →Plan a demanding backcountry effort if drawn
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer and elk through the rough canyon country.
- →Hunt fresh snow or after storms for tracking
- →Check canyon travel corridors and kill sites
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a backcountry hunt — the payoff is deep in the wilderness away from roads
- →Plan meat retrieval before you shoot; horses or a hired packer save the trip on high, roadless kills
- →Confirm the private boundaries on the south end before hunting the lower flats
- →Watch the Bursum Road and high trailheads for early snow closures
- →Bearproof camp and hang all food
Watch out for
- !Southern flats are largely private; elk access there runs through the landowner E-PLUS system
- !No motorized travel inside the Gila Wilderness — plan foot/horse access
- !Early snow can close high roads and trailheads
- !Fall fire restrictions and dry-season closures on the Gila NF
- !Steep cliff country and long pack-outs demand fitness and planning
Logistics
Glenwood and Reserve on US-180 are the closest fuel, lodging, and supply points; Silver City to the south is the largest hub. Interior access is via forest roads (Bursum Road NM-159 is seasonal and closes with snow) and wilderness trailheads only. Horses or a packer are a real advantage for the backcountry.
Nearest towns: Glenwood, Reserve, Mogollon, Alma, Silver City
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official New Mexico sources:
Research sources: NMDGF Game Management Unit Maps · GOHUNT New Mexico Unit 22 Profile · Gila National Forest (USFS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 22 in New Mexico?
- Unit 22 (Unit 22) covers about 394 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 10,658 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 22?
- Approximately 69% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Gila NF, Gila Wilderness, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 22?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Black Bear, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 22 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.