Unit 24 Unit 24
Rugged trophy deer country at the front door of the Gila.
Gila gateway — Pinos Altos & Mimbres country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,516
sq mi
Public land
62%
approx.
Elevation
4,300–9,025
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 24 wraps the country east and north of Silver City, from the Pinos Altos Range and the southern Gila National Forest down through the Mimbres Valley to open desert grassland. Billed as the gateway to the Gila, it offers both quality mule deer and trophy-class Coues whitetail, a limited wilderness-based elk hunt, and pronghorn on the lower flats. Rugged terrain and thin road access reward hunters who scout hard and hunt on foot.
Terrain
Rugged relief from about 4,300 ft in the southern desert grassland to just over 9,000 ft in the northern Gila high country. The northern third is mountainous Gila National Forest and wilderness; the south is desert grassland and foothills, with the Mimbres Valley cutting through the middle.
Cover: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer up high; pinyon-juniper, Gambel oak, and mountain mahogany on the mid-slopes; desert grassland and scrub on the southern flats.
Landmarks: Pinos Altos Range · Fort Bayard · Mimbres River valley · Gila National Forest (southern edge) · Santa Rita / Chino open-pit mine · Black Range foothills
Access
About 62% public, mostly Gila National Forest in the north plus BLM and State Trust ground; the remaining ~38% is private, concentrated in the valley and southern flats where pronghorn live. Elk on private ground are hunted through NM's E-PLUS landowner system. Fort Bayard hosts dedicated youth elk and deer seasons. State Trust land requires a recreational access permit. No reservation land in the unit.
Managers: USFS Gila NF, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust
Access points: NM-15 north from Silver City toward Pinos Altos · NM-152 through the Mimbres/San Lorenzo corridor · US-180 east toward Deming · Fort Bayard / Gila NF trailheads · forest roads off NM-35 in the Mimbres
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyMule deer are a primary draw and can be trophy-class; recent overall deer harvest ran near 472 animals at about 30% success — among the better deer numbers in the region.
- →Glass high oak-brush and juniper benches at first and last light
- →Hunt rugged, roadless pockets that hold older bucks
- →Work the transition where forest meets foothill grassland
Whitetail Deer
common trophyCoues whitetail share the unit with mule deer and reach trophy class in the steep oak and pinyon-juniper country.
- →Glass steep brushy hillsides for bedded bucks midday
- →Sit saddles and water during the December rut
- →Push into the roughest terrain away from roads
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited qualityElk are present in limited numbers, mostly tied to the northern Gila wilderness timber; recent harvest around 34 elk at roughly 32% success.
- →Hunt the high mixed-conifer parks and meadow edges in the north
- →Locate bugling bulls at dawn during the rut
- →Be ready to hike well off the roads
Pronghorn
limited opportunityAntelope hold on the southern desert grasslands, predominantly on private property.
- →Glass open flats from vantage points
- →Secure private-land or E-PLUS access before hunting antelope ground
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear use the forested northern canyons and oak brush, feeding on fall acorns.
- →Glass oak slopes during the acorn drop
- →Check riparian corridors and water sources
Cougar
common opportunityLions follow the strong deer numbers through the broken foothill and mountain country.
- →Cut tracks on forest roads after fresh snow or rain
- →Check deer concentration areas and kill sites
Pro tips
- →Scout hard before the season — access is thin and success rewards local knowledge
- →Hunt the rugged roadless pockets in the north for the biggest mule deer and Coues
- →Time the December rut for cruising Coues bucks
- →Youth hunters should look at the dedicated Fort Bayard elk and deer seasons
- →Confirm private and E-PLUS boundaries before hunting the valley and southern flats
Watch out for
- !About 38% private, concentrated in the Mimbres Valley and southern flats where pronghorn live
- !Elk access on private ground runs through the E-PLUS landowner system
- !State Trust land requires a recreational access permit
- !Rugged terrain and lack of road access — plan for foot travel and meat pack-outs
- !Fall fire restrictions on the Gila NF and scarce water in the desert south
Logistics
Silver City is the primary hub for fuel, lodging, and supplies, with Bayard and Hurley closer to the eastern and southern ground. NM-15, NM-35, and NM-152 provide the main access into the Mimbres and Pinos Altos country; interior travel is on Gila NF and BLM roads. Expect rugged, low-road terrain — pre-season scouting pays off.
Nearest towns: Silver City, Bayard, Hurley, Mimbres, San Lorenzo
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 24 Profile · Gila National Forest (USFS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 24 in New Mexico?
- Unit 24 (Unit 24) covers about 1,516 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,300 to 9,025 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 24?
- Approximately 62% 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 24?
- Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn, Black Bear, 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 24 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.