ELK-2-386 · Either sexRES + NR

Unit 53 elk,Unit 53

Season Bow Sep 15–Sep 24·Units: 53·60 tags in 2026·Who can apply: residents and nonresidents

Odds for:Nonresident · 0 pts
Answer card2026 draw · Nonresident

60 tags, 45 applied, 40% drew in 2026. 432nd hardest of 521 New Mexico elk draws in 2026.

Draw result · 2026
5%
1 of 19 drew
Harvest success
7–11%
Range, 2023–2025
Tags · 2026
60
Applicants · 2026
45
0.8 per tag
Draw results · whole hunt
YearWhoApplicantsDrew
2026Nonresident191
2026Outfitter10
2026Resident2517

New Mexico prints whole-hunt figures, not results by point level.

Draw history
YearWhoDraw
2026Nonresident1 of 19 drew
2026Outfitter0 of 1 drew
2026Resident17 of 25 drew
2025Nonresident1 of 33 drew
2025Outfitter3 of 3 drew
2025Resident30 of 51 drew
2024Nonresident3 of 19 drew
2024Outfitter3 of 11 drew
2024Resident23 of 36 drew
Other applicant tracks
TrackYearAppliedDrew
Outfitter202610

Draws that run alongside the general one, from the latest results.

What it is
Hunt
Unit 53
Weapon
Bow
Tags
60 (2026)
Who can apply
Residents and nonresidents
Season dates, 2026
  • Bow: Sep 15–Sep 24

Check the regulations for boundaries and restrictions.

Harvest success, ELK-2-386
2023–2025
239%247%2511%

Before you apply
Leftovers
“Licenses remaining after 14 days shall be available to any youth hunter eligible to purchase an elk license, whether they applied for draw hunts or not. Hunts will only be offered online on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Tag fee
“A $70 Not issued”
Tag fee
“ES $100 $998”
Points
“New Mexico does not grant preference to previously unsuccessful applicants.”

Rules for 2026.

Source: NMDGF · Updated Nov 13, 2026