Short answer: EPLUS is New Mexico’s landowner elk-tag system, and it’s the main way non-residents actually hunt elk here. Landowners receive transferable elk tags based on their property, and they can sell or transfer those tags to hunters — completely outside the public draw. Buy or book a hunt that includes an EPLUS authorization, and you have a guaranteed New Mexico elk tag with no lottery, no points, and no waiting.
What EPLUS actually is
EPLUS stands for the Elk Private Land Use System. New Mexico issues elk tags to private landowners based on how much elk habitat and land they hold. Those tags — called authorizations — are transferable, meaning the landowner can sell them or transfer them to a hunter. Because they come from the private-land pool rather than the public lottery, an EPLUS tag lets you skip the draw entirely.
A large share of New Mexico’s total elk tags move through EPLUS every year, and the majority end up with out-of-state hunters. For a non-resident staring down brutal public-draw odds, that’s the whole ballgame.
The two types of EPLUS authorizations
This is the part most hunters get confused by, and it matters a lot for where you can hunt:
- Ranch-only authorizations — you can hunt only on the specific private ranch tied to the tag. These are typically more affordable and are common on smaller properties.
- Unit-wide authorizations — you can hunt the entire game management unit, including public land within it, not just the ranch. These are more valuable and cost more, because they give you far more ground to hunt.
Knowing which type you’re getting is critical — a cheap ranch-only tag on a small parcel is a very different hunt than a unit-wide tag in a trophy unit. This is exactly the kind of thing a good consultant sorts out for you.
Why EPLUS beats the draw for non-residents
New Mexico’s public draw allocates only a small slice of tags to non-residents, and demand is enormous. Many out-of-state hunters apply for years and never draw a quality elk tag. EPLUS sidesteps that completely: you’re buying access to a tag that already exists, so your hunt is guaranteed the moment it’s secured. No points, no multi-year wait, no rolling the dice every spring.
How to get an EPLUS hunt
You can chase EPLUS tags on the open market yourself, but it’s a confusing, opaque space — pricing varies wildly, and ranch-only versus unit-wide makes a huge difference. The simpler path is to book a guided hunt where the outfitter already holds EPLUS tags in a proven unit. That’s what we do at Western Obsession — we match you with vetted outfitters holding the right tags, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-residents buy EPLUS tags in New Mexico?
Yes. EPLUS authorizations are transferable and available to non-residents. In fact, the majority of EPLUS elk tags each year go to out-of-state hunters, making it the primary way non-residents hunt New Mexico elk.
What is the difference between ranch-only and unit-wide EPLUS tags?
A ranch-only authorization lets you hunt only the specific private ranch tied to the tag. A unit-wide authorization lets you hunt the entire game management unit, including public land within it. Unit-wide tags give you more ground and cost more.
Do EPLUS tags require preference points?
No. EPLUS tags come from the private-land pool and are completely separate from the public draw, so they require no preference points and no lottery application.
How much does an EPLUS elk tag cost?
EPLUS tag prices vary widely by unit and by whether the tag is ranch-only or unit-wide. The tag cost is usually built into the total price of a guided New Mexico elk hunt, which commonly runs from about $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
This guide is part of our complete resource on New Mexico elk hunting.
