Unit 32 Unit 32
Varied Chaves County plains-to-canyon country with strong pronghorn and a limited landowner elk hunt
Roswell / Pecos plains — private ranch country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
6,090
sq mi
Public land
25%
approx.
Elevation
3,400–6,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 32 surrounds Roswell in the Pecos River country of Chaves County, spanning a wide range of terrain from open flatlands and rolling hills to rough, rocky canyons. It carries good numbers of pronghorn across the grasslands, scattered desert mule deer throughout, and a limited elk presence where draw and landowner (E-PLUS) bull hunts post very high success. Sandy soils lie east of US-285 while broken canyon country cuts the west side, so glassing open ground and knowing the private boundaries are both essential. Much of the game holds on private ranches.
Terrain
A broad mix of flat plains, rolling hills and rough rocky canyons. Sandy soil east of US-285; rougher, canyon-cut ground and mesa breaks to the west approaching the Pecos and the Sacramento foothills.
Cover: Shortgrass and mid-grass prairie, mesquite and creosote flats, yucca and sand sage on sandy ground, juniper and scrub on the western breaks.
Landmarks: Roswell · Pecos River valley · US-285 corridor · Bitter Lake area
Access
Private land dominates and restricts access, with pronghorn and elk sticking largely to deeded ranches — many enrolled in NM's E-PLUS landowner elk system. BLM and State Land Office tracts provide the public opportunity but are scattered and checkerboarded. Confirm boundaries before hunting; State Trust land requires a NMDGF recreational access permit.
Managers: private ranch (E-PLUS), BLM, NM State Trust
Access points: US-285 corridor north/south of Roswell · US-380 and US-70 out of Roswell · County roads into BLM tracts · Pecos River valley access
Species notes
Pronghorn
abundant qualityPronghorn are found throughout the unit's grasslands and hunts run high success, though bucks primarily hold on private ranches where access must be arranged.
- →Glass wide across flats and rolling grassland from high points
- →Spot-and-stalk using swales and terrain folds
- →Watch stock tanks and windmills in the heat
- →Arrange private-ranch access for the best bucks
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer are scattered throughout the unit; Unit 32 isn't famed for big deer but still produces quality bucks in the canyon and sand-hill cover.
- →Glass the rough canyons west of US-285 at first and last light
- →Still-hunt sandy mesquite country east of the highway
- →Focus canyon rims and draws where bucks bed
- →Cover open ground on foot and glass hard
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited trophyA limited elk presence yields draw and landowner bull hunts with very high success, making tags scarce but rewarding for mature bulls.
- →Focus the western canyon and mesa breaks with better cover and water
- →Locate bugling bulls at dawn during the rut
- →Hunt reliable water in dry stretches
- →Pursue landowner (E-PLUS) access where elk concentrate on private ground
Pro tips
- →Arrange private access early — pronghorn and elk hold heavily on deeded ranch ground.
- →Split your strategy: glass the open east flats for antelope, work the western canyons for deer and elk.
- →Verify public-vs-private lines carefully; BLM and State tracts are checkerboarded here.
- →Glass from high points and let optics cover the miles rather than walking blind.
- →Hunt water sources hard in the dry early season.
Watch out for
- !Private ranch (much of it E-PLUS) dominates and restricts access; most game is on deeded land.
- !State Trust parcels require a NMDGF recreational access permit.
- !Scarce water and extreme early-season heat on the open plains.
- !Checkerboarded public land makes boundary navigation critical to avoid trespass.
- !Wildfire and drought closures can affect access in dry years.
Logistics
Roswell is the full-service hub for lodging, fuel and supplies, with Artesia to the south; both offer motels and RV parking. County and BLM roads are graded to two-track — high clearance is smart, and much of the useful access threads private ranch boundaries.
Nearest towns: Roswell, Artesia, Dexter
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 32 Profile · EPLUS New Mexico — landowner elk system
FAQ
- How big is Unit 32 in New Mexico?
- Unit 32 (Unit 32) covers about 6,090 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,400 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 32?
- Approximately 25% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch (E-PLUS), BLM, NM State Trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 32?
- 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 32 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.