Unit 57 Unit 57
Pinyon-juniper mesas and shortgrass benches near Raton where deer and antelope share ground, and access mostly means a ranch or a landowner tag.
Northeast mesa country — Raton-Clayton volcanic plateau · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
431
sq mi
Public land
6%
approx.
Elevation
5,900–8,200
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 57 covers the volcanic mesa-and-plateau country of northeast New Mexico between Raton and the Capulin volcanic field, north toward the Colorado line. Mesas are the defining feature: flat-topped basalt benches capped in pinyon-juniper rise above shortgrass parks. Deer lead the harvest here (around 100 animals, ~46% success) with pronghorn a solid secondary hunt (~67% success) on the open grassland. Like the rest of this corner of the state, it is predominantly private ranchland, and much of the State Trust ground is landlocked — a landowner or E-PLUS tag greatly widens your options.
Terrain
Volcanic mesa-and-plateau terrain — flat-topped basalt mesas and cinder cones stepping above rolling shortgrass parks, benches and shallow canyons.
Cover: Pinyon-juniper woodland cloaking the mesa tops and rims, with shortgrass prairie and shrub in the open parks and basins; brushy draws and scattered ponderosa on higher ground.
Landmarks: Johnson Mesa · Raton-Clayton volcanic field / cinder cones · flat-topped basalt mesas · shortgrass benches and parks
Access
Predominantly private deeded ranchland; public access is limited, and much of the State Trust land is landlocked with no legal public route. The accessible non-landlocked State parcels that aren't buried in pinyon-juniper are worth checking, but a landowner/E-PLUS tag or ranch permission is the realistic path to the best hunting. No significant tribal land in this unit.
Managers: private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, BLM
Access points: Interstate 25 / US-64-87 near Raton · NM-72 / NM-526 toward Johnson Mesa and Capulin · county ranch roads (permission required)
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe top species by harvest. Deer key on the pinyon-juniper mesa rims, brushy draws and the edges between woodland and grass park; success is moderate (~46%) with good bucks on well-managed ranches.
- →Glass the pinyon-juniper mesa rims and woodland-park edges at first and last light
- →Still-hunt brushy draws and canyon breaks where bucks bed
- →Focus transitions between mesa-top cover and open feeding parks
- →Line up ranch access or a landowner tag before the hunt
Pronghorn
common qualityA strong secondary hunt on the shortgrass benches and open parks between the mesas, with high success (~67%). Antelope favor the flatter grassland away from the woodland.
- →Glass the open grass parks and benches from mesa rims and grade breaks
- →Use the rolling terrain and cinder cones to close on located bucks
- →Watch water tanks and windmills in dry stretches
- →Be ready for long, wind-corrected shots across open ground
Pro tips
- →Hunt the mesa rims and woodland-park edges for deer; hunt the open benches for antelope — the unit gives you both.
- →Confirm legal access before counting on any State Trust tract; much of it is landlocked here.
- →A landowner or E-PLUS tag is the difference-maker in this private-heavy unit.
- →Glass long from mesa rims with a good tripod rather than burning boot leather in the junipers.
- →Roads on the mesas get slick and impassable after rain or snow — carry recovery gear.
Watch out for
- !Predominantly private ranchland — know boundaries and secure written permission to avoid trespass.
- !Opportunity is heavily shaped by the E-PLUS / landowner-tag system.
- !Much of the State Trust land is landlocked despite appearing open on maps.
- !Mesa-top mud after rain/snow can strand vehicles; open country means wind, cold fronts and fire risk in dry years.
Logistics
Raton is the main hub for fuel, lodging, groceries and services, with I-25 access; Capulin and Des Moines offer only minimal supplies. Plan long drives on ranch and mesa roads and top off fuel in Raton. Cell coverage is decent near Raton/I-25 and drops off on the mesas.
Nearest towns: Raton, Capulin, Des Moines, Springer
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 · Tomahawk Outfitters — New Mexico Unit 57 · GoHunt New Mexico Unit 57 Profile · EPLUS New Mexico
FAQ
- How big is Unit 57 in New Mexico?
- Unit 57 (Unit 57) covers about 431 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,900 to 8,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 57?
- Approximately 6% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 57?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 57 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.