Unit 45 Unit 45
Rugged public-land mountain unit northeast of Santa Fe with strong elk, mule deer and a marquee bighorn presence
Sangre de Cristo / Pecos Wilderness high country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,526
sq mi
Public land
65%
approx.
Elevation
6,500–13,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 45 sprawls northeast of Santa Fe across the southern Sangre de Cristo range, taking in a large slice of the Santa Fe and Carson national forests and the eastern Pecos Wilderness. Terrain climbs from low pinon-juniper valleys and broad mesas to remote, steep peaks above timberline, making this one of the more physical hunts in northern New Mexico. It carries good numbers of elk and mule deer accessible to public hunters, plus a famed Rocky Mountain bighorn herd in the high Pecos country. Watch for pueblo and other tribal boundaries embedded within the unit.
Terrain
Low valleys and long, broad mesas rising to remote, steep mountains with alpine peaks above timberline in the Pecos Wilderness. Extremely rugged in the high country.
Cover: Pinon-juniper and ponderosa on the lower flanks grading up through mixed conifer, aspen and spruce-fir, then alpine tundra and rock above treeline.
Landmarks: Pecos Wilderness · Sangre de Cristo Mountains · Truchas Peaks area · Pecos River headwaters · Santa Fe National Forest
Access
This is a strong public-land unit anchored by the Santa Fe and Carson national forests and the Pecos Wilderness, with BLM in the northwest. Foothill and valley edges are checkerboarded with private ranches, some enrolled in NM's E-PLUS landowner elk system. Parts of several pueblos and tribal reservations lie within the unit and are closed to NMDGF hunting - verify boundaries carefully.
Managers: USFS Santa Fe NF, USFS Carson NF, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, tribal
Access points: Pecos and Cowles trailheads into the Pecos Wilderness · NM-63 up the Pecos River canyon · Forest roads out of Santa Fe and Pecos · Gallinas and Rociada access on the east side
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk hold across the forested mid-elevations and high basins with good numbers available to public hunters, though rifle success runs modest given the rugged terrain and pressure.
- →Glass high parks and timber edges at first and last light
- →Locate bugling bulls in the aspen and mixed conifer during the rut
- →Push into the Pecos Wilderness backcountry away from roads for less-pressured bulls
- →Hunt benches and dark timber between feeding meadows and bedding
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer are found throughout, from pinon-juniper foothills to high-country oak brush and timber, and the unit produces solid bucks for hunters willing to cover steep ground.
- →Glass oak-brush slopes and mesa breaks at dawn
- →Work the pinon-juniper transition zones on the lower flanks
- →Still-hunt timbered ridges and draws where bucks bed
- →Follow bucks to higher country in warm early seasons
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe high Pecos Wilderness holds a renowned Rocky Mountain bighorn herd that has produced large rams; tags are extremely scarce once-in-a-lifetime draws.
- →Focus alpine cliffs, talus and high basins above timberline
- →Glass long from vantage points at dawn and dusk
- →Plan a backcountry effort with serious fitness and gear
- →Scout ram groups well before the season if drawn
Pro tips
- →Get away from roads and trailheads - the best bulls and bucks are back in the wilderness.
- →Be honest about fitness; steep, high-elevation terrain punishes the unprepared.
- →Verify pueblo and tribal boundaries within the unit before you hunt to avoid trespass.
- →Glass the aspen and timber edges hard at first and last light during the rut.
- →Watch the forecast - an early snow can concentrate game and change access overnight.
Watch out for
- !Parts of several pueblos and tribal reservations lie inside the unit and are closed to NMDGF hunting.
- !Foothill private ranches (some E-PLUS) checkerboard the lower access edges.
- !High, rugged wilderness terrain with real weather and altitude risk.
- !NM State Trust parcels require a NMDGF recreational access permit.
- !Wildfire history and closures can affect access in dry years.
Logistics
Santa Fe is the full-service hub for lodging, fuel and supplies, with the village of Pecos as the closest gateway to the wilderness trailheads. Forest roads range from graded to rough two-track - high clearance is smart, and the best elk and deer country often requires backpacking or stock support in the Pecos Wilderness.
Nearest towns: Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas
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 45 Profile · onX Maps New Mexico Unit 45
FAQ
- How big is Unit 45 in New Mexico?
- Unit 45 (Unit 45) covers about 1,526 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,500 to 13,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 45?
- Approximately 65% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Santa Fe NF, USFS Carson NF, BLM, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, tribal. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 45?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 45 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.