ELK-3-387 · Either sexRES + NR

Unit 53 elk,Unit 53: excluding Cerro portion

Season Muzzle - Excluding Cerro portion Oct 10–Oct 14·Units: 53·50 tags in 2026·Who can apply: residents and nonresidents

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

50 tags, 35 applied, 63% drew in 2026. 494th hardest of 521 New Mexico elk draws in 2026.

Draw result · 2026
<1%
0 of 9 drew
Harvest success
12–22%
Range, 2023–2025
Tags · 2026
50
Applicants · 2026
35
0.7 per tag
Draw results · whole hunt
YearWhoApplicantsDrew
2026Nonresident90
2026Resident2622
2025Outfitter33

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

Draw history
YearWhoDraw
2026Nonresident0 of 9 drew
2026Resident22 of 26 drew
2025Nonresident0 of 34 drew
2025Outfitter3 of 3 drew
2025Resident24 of 42 drew
2024Nonresident3 of 18 drew
2024Outfitter2 of 2 drew
2024Resident19 of 35 drew
Other applicant tracks
TrackYearAppliedDrew
Outfitter202533

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

What it is
Hunt
Unit 53: excluding Cerro portion
Weapon
Muzzle - Excluding Cerro portion
Tags
50 (2026)
Who can apply
Residents and nonresidents
Season dates, 2026
  • Muzzle - Excluding Cerro portion: Oct 10–Oct 14

Check the regulations for boundaries and restrictions.

Harvest success, ELK-3-387
2023–2025
2322%2412%2517%

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