New Mexico big game — real draw odds
New Mexico is a pure random draw — no points, no bonus — with a hard 6% nonresident cap per hunt. So your odds are everything. These are real, from NMDGF's drawing-odds summary.
nrOddsPct = NR licenses awarded ÷ NR first-choice applicants. New Mexico is a pure random draw (no points) with ~6% of each hunt reserved for nonresidents (10% more for outfitter-contracted).
View NMDGF draw info & reports ↗How New Mexico works
No points — pure random draw
New Mexico uses NO points — a pure random draw every year. A first-time applicant has the same odds as anyone else. The catch for nonresidents is the allocation cap, not points.
No points exist. Every application is assigned a random sequence number and evaluated in that order — there's no credit for prior unsuccessful years.
wildlife.state.nm.us · verified 2026 ↗Each hunt allocates roughly 84% to residents, 10% to applicants (resident or nonresident) who've contracted a licensed outfitter, and 6% to nonresidents without an outfitter.
wildlife.state.nm.us · verified 2026 ↗Booking a licensed outfitter moves a nonresident from the 6% pool into the larger 10% outfitter pool — a real odds lever unique to New Mexico.
wildlife.state.nm.us · verified 2026 ↗What you can hunt in New Mexico
Green = no draw needed (the fast way in).OIL = once-in-a-lifetime.
Limited draw (no points — pure random).
Limited draw.
Coues/whitetail in the south; limited draw.
Limited draw.
License with zone harvest limits; no draw.
License with a harvest limit; no draw.
Southern NM; draw plus some over-the-counter.
Free-ranging African exotic — a New Mexico specialty.
African exotic on White Sands — a coveted once-in-a-lifetime-style draw.
Persian ibex in the Florida Mountains — very few tags.
Desert & Rocky Mtn; once-in-a-lifetime.
Merriam's, Rio Grande & Gould's.
By nonresident draw odds
Best odds first
| Hunt code | Unit | Bag | NR drawn | NR apps | NR odds | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELK-2-330 | Unit 21B | MB | 5 | 3 | 33% | 72.1% |
| ELK-2-255 | Unit 12 | APRE/6 | 5 | 7 | 20% | 50% |
| ELK-1-281 | Unit 16B/22 | MB | 2 | 236 | 8% | 90.7% |
| ELK-1-286 | Unit 16C youth only | ES | 2 | 52 | 8% | 83.2% |
| ELK-1-300 | Unit 16E youth only | ES | 2 | 40 | 8% | 61.6% |
| ELK-1-325 | Unit 21B | MB | 2 | 17 | 8% | 72.1% |
| ELK-1-333 | Unit 23 youth only | ES | 2 | 26 | 8% | 63% |
| ELK-2-219 | Unit 6B | ES | 2 | 247 | 8% | 100% |
| ELK-2-221 | Unit 6B | ES | 2 | 567 | 8% | 100% |
| ELK-2-321 | Unit 21B | ES | 2 | 17 | 8% | 72.1% |
| ELK-2-322 | Unit 21B | ES | 2 | 19 | 8% | 72.1% |
| ELK-2-393 | Unit 18 | ES | 2 | 1 | 8% | 66.6% |
| ELK-2-441 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only | ES | 2 | 86 | 8% | 61.1% |
| ELK-2-442 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only | ES | 2 | 156 | 8% | 61.1% |
| ELK-3-266 | Unit 15 youth only | ES | 2 | 77 | 8% | 77.5% |
| ELK-3-307 | Unit 17 youth only | ES | 2 | 23 | 8% | 79.3% |
| ELK-3-310 | Unit 17 | MB | 2 | 69 | 8% | 79.3% |
| ELK-1-413 | Units 42, 47, 59 | ES | 1 | 22 | 8% | 15.4% |
| ELK-2-411 | Units 42, 47, 59 | ES | 1 | 2 | 8% | 15.4% |
| ELK-2-412 | Units 42, 47, 59 | ES | 1 | 4 | 8% | 15.4% |
| ELK-1-275 | Unit 16A | MB | 5 | 1,759 | 7% | 97% |
| ELK-1-335 | Unit 23 | MB | 5 | 91 | 7% | 63% |
| ELK-1-375 | Unit 48 | MB | 5 | 46 | 7% | 27.9% |
| ELK-2-179 | Unit 5B | ES | 5 | 28 | 7% | 81% |
| ELK-2-306 | Unit 17 | ES | 5 | 197 | 7% | 79.3% |
| ELK-2-332 | Unit 23 | ES | 5 | 65 | 7% | 63% |
| ELK-2-366 | Unit 45 | ES | 5 | 65 | 7% | 79.7% |
| ELK-3-334 | Unit 23 | MB | 5 | 20 | 7% | 63% |
| ELK-1-225 | Unit 6B | ES | 1 | 563 | 7% | 100% |
| ELK-1-316 | Unit 21A | MB | 1 | 30 | 7% | 97.8% |
| ELK-1-324 | Unit 21B | MB | 1 | 7 | 7% | 72.1% |
| ELK-1-342 | Unit 24: excluding Ft. Bayard | MB | 1 | 11 | 7% | 62.4% |
| ELK-2-241 | Unit 7 | ES | 1 | 10 | 7% | 72.1% |
| ELK-2-242 | Unit 7 | ES | 1 | 3 | 7% | 72.1% |
| ELK-2-320 | Unit 21A | MB | 1 | 6 | 7% | 97.8% |
| ELK-2-337 | Unit 23 | MB | 1 | 2 | 7% | 63% |
| ELK-2-339 | Unit 24: excluding Ft. Bayard | ES | 1 | 2 | 7% | 62.4% |
| ELK-3-223 | Unit 6B | ES | 1 | 283 | 7% | 100% |
| ELK-3-341 | Unit 24: excluding Ft. Bayard | MB | 1 | 4 | 7% | 62.4% |
| ELK-2-264 | Unit 15 | ES | 21 | 446 | 6% | 77.5% |
| ELK-2-265 | Unit 15 | ES | 15 | 816 | 6% | 77.5% |
| ELK-2-272 | Unit 16A | ES | 15 | 473 | 6% | 97% |
| ELK-3-268 | Unit 15 | MB | 15 | 75 | 6% | 77.5% |
| ELK-3-269 | Unit 15 | MB | 15 | 72 | 6% | 77.5% |
| ELK-3-350 | Unit 34 | ES | 15 | 319 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-2-279 | Unit 16B/22 | ES | 14 | 205 | 6% | 90.7% |
| ELK-1-195 | Unit 51 | MB | 13 | 289 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-1-196 | Unit 51 | MB | 13 | 72 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-1-197 | Unit 51 | MB | 13 | 77 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-1-207 | Unit 52 | MB | 13 | 173 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-1-208 | Unit 52 | MB | 13 | 53 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-2-202 | Unit 52 | ES | 13 | 101 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-2-203 | Unit 52 | ES | 13 | 160 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-2-256 | Unit 13 | ES | 12 | 107 | 6% | 66.6% |
| ELK-2-345 | Unit 34 | ES | 12 | 368 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-2-346 | Unit 34 | ES | 12 | 901 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-2-355 | Unit 34 | APRE/6/A | 12 | 42 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-3-267 | Unit 15 | MB | 12 | 408 | 6% | 77.5% |
| ELK-2-193 | Unit 51 | ES | 10 | 117 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-2-194 | Unit 51 | ES | 10 | 174 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-2-280 | Unit 16B/22 | ES | 10 | 270 | 6% | 90.7% |
| ELK-1-351 | Unit 34 | ES | 9 | 835 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-2-213 | Unit 6A | ES | 9 | 100 | 6% | 88.1% |
| ELK-2-234 | Unit 6C | ES | 9 | 53 | 6% | 80.1% |
| ELK-2-257 | Unit 13 | ES | 9 | 242 | 6% | 66.6% |
| ELK-2-273 | Unit 16A | ES | 9 | 1,301 | 6% | 97% |
| ELK-2-284 | Unit 16C | ES | 9 | 104 | 6% | 83.2% |
| ELK-3-201 | Unit 51 | ES | 9 | 57 | 6% | 82.3% |
| ELK-3-236 | Unit 6C | MB | 9 | 55 | 6% | 80.1% |
| ELK-1-190 | Unit 50 | MB | 8 | 26 | 6% | 69% |
| ELK-1-361 | Unit 36 | ES | 8 | 418 | 6% | 53.3% |
| ELK-1-362 | Unit 36 | ES | 8 | 181 | 6% | 53.3% |
| ELK-1-369 | Unit 45 | MB | 8 | 70 | 6% | 79.7% |
| ELK-1-370 | Unit 45 | MB | 8 | 25 | 6% | 79.7% |
| ELK-2-157 | Unit 10 | ES | 8 | 39 | 6% | 71.8% |
| ELK-2-158 | Unit 10 | ES | 8 | 73 | 6% | 71.8% |
| ELK-2-305 | Unit 17 | ES | 8 | 72 | 6% | 79.3% |
| ELK-2-331 | Unit 23 | ES | 8 | 58 | 6% | 63% |
| ELK-2-358 | Unit 36 | ES | 8 | 185 | 6% | 53.3% |
| ELK-2-359 | Unit 36 | ES | 8 | 214 | 6% | 53.3% |
| ELK-3-131 | Unit 2 | MB | 8 | 45 | 6% | 80.9% |
| ELK-3-360 | Unit 36 | ES | 8 | 198 | 6% | 53.3% |
| ELK-3-368 | Unit 45 | MB | 8 | 51 | 6% | 79.7% |
| ELK-1-189 | Unit 50 | MB | 7 | 29 | 6% | 69% |
| ELK-1-283 | Unit 16B/22 | MB | 7 | 102 | 6% | 90.7% |
| ELK-2-129 | Unit 2 | ES | 7 | 41 | 6% | 80.9% |
| ELK-2-130 | Unit 2 | ES | 7 | 75 | 6% | 80.9% |
| ELK-3-205 | Unit 52 | MB | 7 | 100 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-3-260 | Unit 13 | MB | 7 | 25 | 6% | 66.6% |
| ELK-3-261 | Unit 13 | MB | 7 | 40 | 6% | 66.6% |
| ELK-1-216 | Unit 6A | MB | 6 | 166 | 6% | 88.1% |
| ELK-1-217 | Unit 6A | MB | 6 | 51 | 6% | 88.1% |
| ELK-1-237 | Unit 6C | MB | 6 | 67 | 6% | 80.1% |
| ELK-1-238 | Unit 6C | MB | 6 | 27 | 6% | 80.1% |
| ELK-1-276 | Unit 16A | MB | 6 | 289 | 6% | 97% |
| ELK-2-214 | Unit 6A | ES | 6 | 209 | 6% | 88.1% |
| ELK-2-235 | Unit 6C | ES | 6 | 91 | 6% | 80.1% |
| ELK-2-285 | Unit 16C | ES | 6 | 98 | 6% | 83.2% |
| ELK-3-215 | Unit 6A | MB | 6 | 110 | 6% | 88.1% |
| ELK-3-308 | Unit 17 | MB | 6 | 79 | 6% | 79.3% |
| ELK-3-309 | Unit 17 | MB | 6 | 33 | 6% | 79.3% |
| ELK-1-132 | Unit 2 | MB | 5 | 165 | 6% | 80.9% |
| ELK-1-180 | Unit 5B | MB | 5 | 62 | 6% | 81% |
| ELK-1-182 | Unit 5B | MB | 5 | 19 | 6% | 81% |
| ELK-1-184 | Unit 5B | MB | 5 | 19 | 6% | 81% |
| ELK-1-186 | Unit 5B | MB | 5 | 55 | 6% | 81% |
| ELK-2-151 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA | ES | 5 | 19 | 6% | 51.5% |
| ELK-2-152 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA | ES | 5 | 39 | 6% | 51.5% |
| ELK-2-291 | Unit 16D | ES | 5 | 318 | 6% | 88.3% |
| ELK-2-298 | Unit 16E | ES | 5 | 50 | 6% | 61.6% |
| ELK-3-259 | Unit 13 | MB | 5 | 111 | 6% | 66.6% |
| ELK-1-160 | Unit 10 | MB | 4 | 58 | 6% | 71.8% |
| ELK-1-288 | Unit 16C | MB | 4 | 32 | 6% | 83.2% |
| ELK-1-376 | Unit 48 | MB | 4 | 22 | 6% | 27.9% |
| ELK-2-385 | Unit 53 | ES | 4 | 20 | 6% | 70.1% |
| ELK-3-159 | Unit 10 | MB | 4 | 30 | 6% | 71.8% |
| ELK-3-301 | Unit 16E | MB | 4 | 26 | 6% | 61.6% |
| ELK-1-295 | Unit 16D | MB | 3 | 104 | 6% | 88.3% |
| ELK-1-302 | Unit 16E | MB | 3 | 28 | 6% | 61.6% |
| ELK-1-349 | Unit 34 mobility impaired | ES | 3 | 38 | 6% | 67.4% |
| ELK-2-314 | Unit 21A | ES | 3 | 34 | 6% | 97.8% |
| ELK-2-315 | Unit 21A | ES | 3 | 35 | 6% | 97.8% |
| ELK-2-407 | Unit 37 | APRE/6 | 3 | 4 | 6% | 38.7% |
| ELK-3-204 | Unit 52 mobility impaired only | MB | 3 | 3 | 6% | 91.9% |
| ELK-3-387 | Unit 53: excluding Cerro portion | ES | 3 | 34 | 6% | 70.1% |
| ELK-1-248 | Unit 12 | MB | 2 | 117 | 6% | 50% |
| ELK-1-287 | Unit 16C | MB | 2 | 65 | 6% | 83.2% |
| ELK-1-317 | Unit 21A | MB | 2 | 20 | 6% | 97.8% |
| ELK-1-444 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only | MB | 2 | 176 | 6% | 61.1% |
| ELK-2-246 | Unit 12 | ES | 2 | 23 | 6% | 50% |
| ELK-2-247 | Unit 12 | ES | 2 | 60 | 6% | 50% |
| ELK-3-154 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA | MB | 2 | 2 | 6% | 51.5% |
| ELK-3-155 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA | MB | 2 | 1 | 6% | 51.5% |
| ELK-1-389 | Unit 53: excluding Cerro portion | MB | 7 | 17 | 5% | 70.1% |
| ELK-1-250 | Unit 12 | MB | 4 | 25 | 5% | 50% |
| ELK-1-251 | Unit 12 | MB | 4 | 19 | 5% | 50% |
| ELK-1-282 | Unit 16B/22 | MB | 4 | 64 | 5% | 90.7% |
| ELK-1-347 | Unit 34 youth only | ES | 4 | 387 | 5% | 67.4% |
| ELK-1-381 | Unit 49 | MB | 4 | 69 | 5% | 84.1% |
| ELK-1-382 | Unit 49 | MB | 4 | 16 | 5% | 84.1% |
| ELK-1-388 | Unit 53: excluding Cerro portion | MB | 4 | 34 | 5% | 70.1% |
| ELK-2-178 | Unit 5B | ES | 4 | 19 | 5% | 81% |
| ELK-2-367 | Unit 45 | ES | 4 | 117 | 5% | 79.7% |
| ELK-2-372 | Unit 48 | ES | 4 | 18 | 5% | 27.9% |
| ELK-2-373 | Unit 48 | ES | 4 | 54 | 5% | 27.9% |
| ELK-1-249 | Unit 12 | MB | 3 | 21 | 5% | 50% |
| ELK-1-294 | Unit 16D | MB | 3 | 415 | 5% | 88.3% |
| ELK-1-318 | Unit 21A | MB | 3 | 18 | 5% | 97.8% |
| ELK-2-187 | Unit 50 | ES | 3 | 22 | 5% | 69% |
| ELK-2-188 | Unit 50 | ES | 3 | 11 | 5% | 69% |
| ELK-2-292 | Unit 16D | ES | 3 | 595 | 5% | 88.3% |
| ELK-2-299 | Unit 16E | ES | 3 | 33 | 5% | 61.6% |
| ELK-2-379 | Unit 49 | ES | 3 | 50 | 5% | 84.1% |
| ELK-2-380 | Unit 49 | ES | 3 | 99 | 5% | 84.1% |
| ELK-2-386 | Unit 53 | ES | 3 | 33 | 5% | 70.1% |
| ELK-3-374 | Unit 48 | MB | 3 | 12 | 5% | 27.9% |
| ELK-2-402 | Unit 37 | ES | 2 | 24 | 5% | 38.7% |
| ELK-1-227 | Unit 6B | ES | 1 | 162 | 5% | 100% |
| ELK-1-400 | Units 29, 30 | ES | 1 | 84 | 5% | 79.5% |
| ELK-1-446 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only, youth only | MB | 1 | 99 | 5% | 61.1% |
| ELK-2-398 | Units 29, 30 | ES | 1 | 17 | 5% | 79.5% |
| ELK-2-399 | Units 29, 30 | ES | 1 | 20 | 5% | 79.5% |
| ELK-3-153 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA - mobility impaired only | MB | 1 | 0 | 5% | 51.5% |
| ELK-3-156 | Unit 9, including Water Canyon WMA | MB | 1 | 1 | 5% | 51.5% |
| ELK-3-443 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only | MB | 1 | 110 | 5% | 61.1% |
| ELK-1-274 | Unit 16A mobility impaired only | MB | 1 | 30 | 4% | 97% |
| ELK-1-293 | Unit 16D mobility impaired only | MB | 1 | 20 | 4% | 88.3% |
| ELK-2-394 | Unit 18 | ES | 1 | 8 | 4% | 66.6% |
| ELK-3-243 | Unit 7 | MB | 1 | 2 | 4% | 72.1% |
| ELK-1-244 | Unit 7 | MB | 1 | 8 | 3% | 72.1% |
| ELK-1-401 | Units 29, 30 | ES | 1 | 11 | 3% | 79.5% |
| ELK-1-404 | Unit 37 | MB | 1 | 125 | 3% | 38.7% |
| ELK-1-405 | Unit 37 | MB | 1 | 20 | 3% | 38.7% |
| ELK-1-410 | Units 39, 43 | ES | 1 | 6 | 3% | 21.1% |
| ELK-1-445 | Unit 55A: Valle Vidal only | MB | 1 | 25 | 3% | 61.1% |
| ELK-2-403 | Unit 37 | ES | 1 | 30 | 3% | 38.7% |
| ELK-3-258 | Unit 13 youth only | ES | 1 | 22 | 3% | 66.6% |
| ELK-1-140 | Unit 5A public land only | MB | 0 | 2 | 0% | 16.4% |
| ELK-1-144 | Unit 5A public land only | MB | 0 | 1 | 0% | 16.4% |
| ELK-1-323 | Unit 21B | MB | 0 | 3 | 0% | 72.1% |
| ELK-1-343 | Unit 24: including Ft. Bayard, youth only | ES | 0 | 1 | 0% | 62.4% |
| ELK-1-395 | Unit 18 | ES | 0 | 1 | 0% | 66.6% |
| ELK-1-396 | Unit 28: McGregor range only, military only | ES | 0 | 41 | 0% | 99.7% |
| ELK-1-397 | Unit 28: McGregor range only | ES | 0 | 6 | 0% | 99.7% |
| ELK-1-416 | Unit 56 | MB | 0 | 3 | 0% | 21.8% |
| ELK-1-422 | Units 57 (excluding Sugarite Canyon S.P.), 58 | MB | 0 | 5 | 0% | 19.8% |
| ELK-1-423 | Units 57 (excluding Sugarite Canyon S.P.), 58 | MB | 0 | 1 | 0% | 19.8% |
| ELK-1-700 | statewide | MB | 0 | 22 | 0% | — |
| ELK-2-136 | Unit 5A public land only | ES | 0 | 2 | 0% | 16.4% |
| ELK-2-137 | Unit 5A public land only | ES | 0 | 2 | 0% | 16.4% |
| ELK-2-340 | Unit 24: excluding Ft. Bayard | ES | 0 | 1 | 0% | 62.4% |
Draw odds here are real (NMDGF 2025-26). Pure random + 6% NR cap means popular hunts run low — odds, not points, are the whole game. Public-land % is real too: each hunt's NMDGF GMU(s) intersected with USGS PAD-US federal public land in an equal-area projection. Harvest success and maps elsewhere remain illustrative.