Unit 28 Unit 28
Chihuahuan grassland pronghorn and desert mule deer on a military-access range
South-central NM — Otero Mesa & McGregor Range desert · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,078
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
4,000–8,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 28 sprawls across south-central New Mexico between the southern tip of the Sacramento Mountains and the vast Otero Mesa grasslands east of the Tularosa Basin. Much of the unit lies within the U.S. Army's McGregor Range (Fort Bliss withdrawal), so a great deal of the 'public' land is federally controlled and requires a separate range access permit and daily call-in — a hard gate that defines hunting here. The country holds quality pronghorn on the grasslands, scattered desert mule deer in the rougher breaks, and a limited elk presence in the northern high ground.
Terrain
Broad desert basin floor and rolling Otero Mesa grassland rising to rugged foothills of the southern Sacramento Mountains in the north; steep escarpments break the western edge of the mesa.
Cover: Chihuahuan desert grassland with creosote, greasewood, mesquite, yucca and cholla on the flats; grama grasses on the mesa; piñon-juniper and pine on the higher north slopes.
Landmarks: Otero Mesa · McGregor Range (Fort Bliss) · southern Sacramento Mountains · Tularosa Basin
Access
The dominant access reality is military: hunters who draw a tag on McGregor Range must obtain a Fort Bliss access permit and phone the range daily for permission to enter — access is closed on live-fire days and can be denied. Off-range portions are BLM Otero Mesa and State Trust grassland (State Trust requires a valid hunting license for access). Scattered private ranches and some E-PLUS elk authorizations exist in the north. Confirm range status before every hunt.
Managers: U.S. Army McGregor Range (Fort Bliss), BLM, NM State Trust, USFS Lincoln NF (fringe), private ranch
Access points: US-54 corridor (Orogrande) · Otero Mesa county/BLM roads off NM-506 · Fort Bliss McGregor Range gates (permit required)
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityThe Otero Mesa grasslands are classic Chihuahuan pronghorn country and the strongest draw in the unit, with a solid five-year success rate. Bucks are hard-won but respectable.
- →Glass the open grama-grass flats of Otero Mesa at first light from vehicle-accessible high points
- →Focus near the few reliable earthen tanks and windmills — water concentrates animals
- →Plan a long stalk using terrain rolls; the country is open and pronghorn see for miles
Mule Deer
limited qualityDesert mule deer are scattered but the rough mesa breaks and Sacramento foothills can produce heavy-beamed mature bucks. Low densities mean lots of glassing per buck.
- →Hunt the broken escarpment edges and arroyo systems where deer bed in shade
- →Glass north-facing brushy slopes at dawn and dusk
- →Cover ground between water sources; desert bucks travel widely
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk are a minor but real presence in the northern high ground toward the Sacramentos, with a high per-tag success rate on the few permits issued. This is a fringe elk unit, not a marquee one.
- →Hunt the timbered north-end slopes and canyon heads
- →Work water and wallows in dry early seasons
- →Expect small, localized herds rather than the Gila-style numbers
Pro tips
- →Treat McGregor Range access as the make-or-break step — verify open days and permit requirements before you commit a hunt plan
- →Pre-scout tanks and windmills on aerial imagery; water is the single best pattern in this desert
- →Glass more, walk less — cover country with optics from vantage points
- →Off-range BLM Otero Mesa offers open general access when range days are closed
Watch out for
- !Large portions are active military range (live-fire); entry can be denied and is never guaranteed
- !State Trust land access requires a valid NM hunting license; private ranches are posted
- !Extreme heat and scarce water — carry far more than you think you need
- !Remote roads with no services; a breakdown is a serious problem here
Logistics
Stage from Alamogordo or the El Paso area; US-54 bisects the region. Carry ample water, recovery gear and a full-size spare — desert two-tracks are remote and cell service is thin. Anyone drawing McGregor Range must sort Fort Bliss permitting and daily call-in logistics in advance.
Nearest towns: Alamogordo, Orogrande, El Paso, TX, Las Cruces
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 · BLM New Mexico Hunting Maps · GOHUNT New Mexico Unit 28 Profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 28 in New Mexico?
- Unit 28 (Unit 28) covers about 1,078 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 28?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: U.S. Army McGregor Range (Fort Bliss), BLM, NM State Trust, USFS Lincoln NF (fringe), private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 28?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 28 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.