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Montana to New Mexico

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xander12312

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Joined
Apr 5, 2026
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I’ve spent the last few years learning the ropes of big game hunting in SW Montana. I’m mostly interested in elk and deer , but I’m branching out this spring for my first bear hunt on public land in the mountains around Butte.

I have a move to New Mexico coming up soon, so I joined to get some intel on a completely different landscape and tag system. I'm looking forward to picking the brains of the guys who know that country. Glad to be here and happy to contribute where I can.

Thanks,
 
Lots of cool places to explore.

If you like fishing there is plenty of variety.

If you like hunting you’ll always have a few OTC opportunities.

No idea when you are moving, but go grab some OTC tags and explore some units.

Your new residency status will help you with better draw odds, but with nothing being a sure thing, start knocking on doors.

With the possibility of chasing private land deer and antelope tags each year, find some land owners. It IS possible.
 
xander12312 said:
I’ve spent the last few years learning the ropes of big game hunting in SW Montana. I’m mostly interested in elk and deer , but I’m branching out this spring for my first bear hunt on public land in the mountains around Butte.

I have a move to New Mexico coming up soon, so I joined to get some intel on a completely different landscape and tag system. I'm looking forward to picking the brains of the guys who know that country. Glad to be here and happy to contribute where I can.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
What part of New Mexico you plan to move to? I have been hunting there every year since 1990, mostly Chama area. We love it and look forward to it every year. Seems everything (land, homes, businesses) is for sale and has been ever since we started going up there. Welcome to the Forum and Good Luck on the move.
 
Last edited:
I’ve been in Northern New Mexico for five years now and love it. The draw system isn’t my favorite, but there are a lot of hunting opportunities if you don’t have your heart set on killing trophy elk/deer every year.

If you like putting in miles and enjoying solitude in the wilderness, I think you’ll be quite happy here.
 
NM allows multiple choices per species when you apply. If your application is drawn for consideration then your 1st choice is considered then your 2nd, etc, until you are awarded a tag or all your choices had zero tags to award to you.

This allows you to put your first choice as a very difficult tag to draw then still save your last choice as a much easier tag to draw.

No preference nor bonus points.

Residents get guaranteed the bulk of the tags and some tags (cow elk maybe) and some lands (school trust lands maybe) are only offered to residents.

Good luck on your draws and NM has some wonderful places to experience though some places are, in my opinion, a bit dodgy (looking at you Albuquerque and some of the native lands) due to addiction issues from powerful drugs which create zombies stealing to support their habit.

I would live in Santa Fe if were not for wanting to be close to family. I spend a few days there twice per year.
 
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