Unit 5B Unit 5B
A big-bull and trophy-mule-deer unit where December migration from the San Juans turns it on
North-central NM — Tusas Mountains / upper Rio Chama, Carson NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
415
sq mi
Public land
55%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–10,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 5B covers roughly 415 square miles of the Tusas Mountains and upper Rio Chama country in Rio Arriba County, hunted mainly on the Carson National Forest around El Rito, Canjilon, Cebolla and Vallecitos. Both elk and mule deer are the story here — the unit has produced some very large bulls over the years, and it sits in northwest New Mexico's belt of superior mule deer genetics. Its signature is timing: cold weather and late-season migration of deer and elk down out of the San Juan Range to the north can make a mid-December hunt world-class. Access is a mix of public national forest and large private land grants that participate in New Mexico's E-PLUS landowner-tag system, so ground status matters.
Terrain
Rough-to-moderate mountain country rising from pinyon-juniper mesas and the Rio Chama breaks into forested ridges and high parks in the Tusas Mountains.
Cover: Pinyon-juniper and sage on lower slopes grading into ponderosa, mixed conifer, aspen and grassy mountain parks up high.
Landmarks: Tusas Mountains · Rio Chama · Canjilon Lakes · El Rito Creek · Rio Vallecitos · Carson National Forest
Access
Public hunting is on the Carson National Forest (El Rito and Canjilon country), reached by forest roads off NM 111, NM 110 and NM 519 from the valley villages. Large private land grants and ranches are woven through the lower and mid-elevations, and many elk and deer tags here are landowner-allocated through E-PLUS — confirm public vs. private before hunting. The Jicarilla Apache Reservation adjoins the unit on the north end and is closed to general NMDGF hunting; do not count it as open. NM State Trust access requires a valid license.
Managers: USFS Carson NF, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, BLM, tribal (Jicarilla Apache — closed to NMDGF hunting)
Access points: El Rito and NM 111 / FR 559 corridor · Canjilon and Canjilon Lakes (FR 129) · Cebolla / NM 112 to the Rio Chama country · Vallecitos / NM 111 north · US 84 corridor near Abiquiu and Tierra Amarilla
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe headline tag and the higher-harvest species — a unit with a genuine big-bull history that gets a late boost as elk drift down from the higher country to the north.
- →Glass high grassy parks and mixed-conifer edges at first and last light
- →Work timbered north slopes and canyon heads where mature bulls bed
- →Late in the season, hunt migration lanes and lower parks as snow pushes elk down
- →Sort out public forest vs. private E-PLUS ground before committing to an area
Mule Deer
common qualityThis unit sits in northwest New Mexico's trophy mule deer belt, and cold-weather migration from the San Juan Range can make a well-timed December hunt exceptional.
- →Glass pinyon-juniper transitions, sage benches and Rio Chama breaks at dawn
- →Hunt the migration when storms move deer to lower winter range
- →Cover ground and glass hard — mature bucks are low-density and reclusive
- →Watch feed edges and south-facing slopes on cold, clear mornings
Pro tips
- →Time it for weather — a cold front and snow late in the season is what makes this unit world-class
- →Confirm public forest vs. private/land-grant E-PLUS ground before you set up
- →Do not enter the Jicarilla Apache Reservation on the north — it is closed to NMDGF hunting
- →Glass the high parks early season, then follow animals down to lower winter range as it cools
- →Learn a few key drainages and their access rather than roaming the whole unit
Watch out for
- !Large private land grants and E-PLUS landowner tags mean not all ground or tags are public
- !The Jicarilla Apache Reservation adjoins the unit and is closed to general hunting
- !Late-season snow can close or strand you on forest roads — carry recovery gear
- !State Trust land access requires a valid NM hunting license
- !Cold, high-elevation late hunts demand serious cold-weather preparation
Logistics
Tierra Amarilla, Chama and the US 84 corridor offer fuel and limited services, with Espanola the nearest full-service hub to the south. Expect gravel forest-road access off the valley villages, self-sufficient camping on the Carson NF, and cold nights. Carry an ownership map — the land-grant and private mosaic is easy to stray into. Cell service is spotty off the highways.
Nearest towns: Tierra Amarilla, Chama, El Rito, Abiquiu, Espanola
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 · NM Big Game Hunting — Santa Fe / Carson NF Elk Hunts (Units 5B, 6A, 6C) · HuntScore — Elk Hunting in New Mexico GMU 5B
FAQ
- How big is Unit 5B in New Mexico?
- Unit 5B (Unit 5B) covers about 415 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 10,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 5B?
- Approximately 55% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Carson NF, private ranch (E-PLUS), NM State Trust, BLM, tribal (Jicarilla Apache — closed to NMDGF hunting). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 5B?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official New Mexico agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 5B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.