Short answer: New Mexico awards public elk tags through a lottery draw with a spring application deadline — there are no over-the-counter elk tags and no preference points. Demand is enormous and non-resident odds are low, which is why many out-of-state hunters skip the draw and hunt on an EPLUS landowner tag instead.
How the New Mexico draw works
New Mexico runs a pure lottery — there is no preference point system, so every applicant has the same odds each year regardless of how long they’ve applied. You pick your hunt codes (unit, season, and weapon), apply by the spring deadline, and wait on the random draw. The upside of no points: a first-time applicant has the same shot as someone who’s applied for a decade. The downside: you can apply for years and simply never get lucky.
How competitive the New Mexico draw is
Very. Recent New Mexico draws have seen on the order of hundreds of thousands of applications competing for roughly 60,000 total big-game licenses across all species — an overall success rate around one in five, and much lower for quality elk units. Non-residents face the toughest odds, since the public draw reserves the largest share of tags for residents.
Why non-residents lean on EPLUS instead
Because the draw is such a long shot for out-of-state hunters, most non-residents who hunt New Mexico elk do it on an EPLUS landowner tag — a private-land tag that bypasses the lottery completely and guarantees you a tag. It’s the difference between hoping to draw and knowing you’re hunting.
The smartest approach for many hunters is to do both: apply in the draw for a premium unit as a long shot, and book an EPLUS hunt so you’re hunting regardless of the result.
New Mexico elk hunts that skip the draw
Every one of these hunts comes with a guaranteed landowner tag, so you can book it and know you’re hunting — no application, no draw odds:
- Unit 13 & 46 rifle elk hunts — an October rut hunt in Unit 13 or a November hunt in Unit 46, landowner tag included.
- Trophy elk on a private New Mexico ranch — 1-on-1 guiding, lodge and meals, guaranteed tag.
- Private ranch elk hunting in Unit 5A — 10,000 private acres bordering the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, tags guaranteed.
- New Mexico elk hunting in Unit 36 — large private leases with the tag included.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Mexico have preference points for elk?
No. New Mexico uses a pure lottery draw with no preference or bonus points. Every applicant has the same odds each year, no matter how many years they’ve applied.
When is the New Mexico elk draw deadline?
New Mexico’s big-game draw application deadline falls in the spring, typically in March. Check the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for the exact date, as it can shift year to year.
Are New Mexico elk draw odds good for non-residents?
No. Non-resident odds are low because the draw reserves the largest share of tags for residents and demand is very high. Many non-residents hunt New Mexico elk on an EPLUS landowner tag instead, which bypasses the draw.
Can I hunt New Mexico elk without drawing a tag?
Yes. An EPLUS landowner tag lets you hunt New Mexico elk without entering or winning the public draw. It is the primary way non-residents hunt elk in the state.
This guide is part of our complete resource on New Mexico elk hunting.
