New Mexico Elk — GMU 4
New Mexico GMU 4 covers 443,634 acres and lies 54 miles west of Questa. 15% of it is public land, mostly state land (13%) and state trust land (1%). In 2025, 1,239 people hunted elk here and took 1,254 — more than one animal per hunter. The 2026 draw put up 1 tag here for 16 first-choice applicants.
Tags (2026):10
Nonresident share:capped at 6%
Applicants:43
Hunter success (2025):57%
Public land:15%
Size:443,634 acres
Your chance of drawing here
Every elk license type on offer in GMU 4, with the prior-draw chance for a first-choice nonresident applicant. Type your points in to see your own number.
Chances are from the 2026 draw (the most recent) for a first-choice nonresident. "Points needed" = the cut in the last draw.
Simple view Odds at every point level-
ELK-1-165 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-165 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 1 tags · 16 applicants · Outfitter6% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-166 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-166 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 1 tags · 3 applicants · Outfitter0% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-167 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 24-28 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-167 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 24-28 1 tags · 3 applicants · Outfitter33% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-168 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 31-Nov. 4 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-168 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 31-Nov. 4 1 tags · 2 applicants · Outfitter50% Real chance 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-169 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-169 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-170 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal - Youth — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-170 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal - Youth — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-173 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-173 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 1 tags · 8 applicants · Outfitter0% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-174 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-174 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 1 tags · 1 applicants · Outfitter100% Likely draw 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-1-175 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-175 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-176 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-176 Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 0 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-177 Unit 4: Rio Chama WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 14-18 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-1-177 Unit 4: Rio Chama WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 14-18 0 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter— Not open to nonresidents
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— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-2-163 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 1-14 1 tags · 4 applicants · Outfitter25% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-2-164 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 15-24 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-2-164 Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 15-24 1 tags · 5 applicants · Outfitter0% Long shot 13% as 2nd choice
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ELK-2-171 Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 1-14 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-2-171 Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 1-14 1 tags · 0 applicants · Outfitter100% No first-choice applicants 0% as 2nd choice
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ELK-2-172 Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 15-24 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard— Not open to nonresidents
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ELK-2-172 Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 15-24 1 tags · 1 applicants · Outfitter100% Undersubscribed 0% as 2nd choice
| Hunt | Your odds | As 2nd choice | Points needed | Tags / applicants | License | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELK-1-165 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 10–14, 2026 |
| ELK-1-165 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 Rifle | 6% Long shot | 0% | — | 1 / 16 | Outfitter | Oct 10–14, 2026 |
| ELK-1-166 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 17–21, 2026 |
| ELK-1-166 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 Rifle | 0% Long shot | 0% | — | 1 / 3 | Outfitter | Oct 17–21, 2026 |
| ELK-1-167 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 24-28 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 24–28, 2026 |
| ELK-1-167 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 24-28 Rifle | 33% Long shot | 0% | — | 1 / 3 | Outfitter | Oct 24–28, 2026 |
| ELK-1-168 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 31-Nov. 4 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2026 |
| ELK-1-168 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 31-Nov. 4 Rifle | 50% Real chance | 0% | — | 1 / 2 | Outfitter | Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2026 |
| ELK-1-169 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-169 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Outfitter | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-170 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal - Youth — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-170 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal - Youth — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Outfitter | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-173 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 10–14, 2026 |
| ELK-1-173 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 10-14 Rifle | 0% Long shot | 0% | — | 1 / 8 | Outfitter | Oct 10–14, 2026 |
| ELK-1-174 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Oct 17–21, 2026 |
| ELK-1-174 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — mature bull or antlerless — Any Legal — Oct. 17-21 Rifle | 100% Likely draw | 0% | — | 1 / 1 | Outfitter | Oct 17–21, 2026 |
| ELK-1-175 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-175 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Outfitter | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-176 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-176 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/ Rio Chama WMAs only, youth only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 7-11 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Outfitter | Nov 7–11, 2026 |
| ELK-1-177 ↗ Unit 4: Rio Chama WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 14-18 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Nov 14–18, 2026 |
| ELK-1-177 ↗ Unit 4: Rio Chama WMA only — antlerless — Any Legal — Nov. 14-18 Rifle | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Outfitter | Nov 14–18, 2026 |
| ELK-2-163 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 1-14 Archery | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Sep 1–14, 2026 |
| ELK-2-163 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 1-14 Archery | 25% Long shot | 0% | — | 1 / 4 | Outfitter | Sep 1–14, 2026 |
| ELK-2-164 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 15-24 Archery | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Sep 15–24, 2026 |
| ELK-2-164 ↗ Unit 4: Sargent WMA only — either sex — Bow — Sept. 15-24 Archery | 0% Long shot | 13% | — | 1 / 5 | Outfitter | Sep 15–24, 2026 |
| ELK-2-171 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 1-14 Archery | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Sep 1–14, 2026 |
| ELK-2-171 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 1-14 Archery | 100% No first-choice applicants | 0% | — | 1 / 0 | Outfitter | Sep 1–14, 2026 |
| ELK-2-172 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 15-24 Archery | Not open to nonresidents | — | — | 0 / 0 | Standard | Sep 15–24, 2026 |
| ELK-2-172 ↗ Unit 4: Humphries/Rio Chama WMAs only — either sex — Bow - Humphries/ — Sept. 15-24 Archery | 100% Undersubscribed | 0% | — | 1 / 1 undersubscribed | Outfitter | Sep 15–24, 2026 |
What these columns mean
- Your odds —
- the share of applicants at your point level who drew this tag in the 2026 draw. Not a forecast: quotas and demand move every year.
- The badge —
- plain language for that number. Likely draw 75% or better · Real chance 40%+ · Long shot 15%+ · Point builder below that, so you are applying mainly to bank a point · Undersubscribed means fewer first-choice applicants than tags, so everyone who applied drew.
- As 2nd choice —
- New Mexico lets you name more than one hunt on the application. Miss on your first choice and you go into the pot for whatever tags are left, alongside everyone else's second choices. Points never help a lower choice, so this number is the same whatever you have banked — it is usually worth naming a hunt that goes undersubscribed.
- Points needed —
- the lowest point total that still got a tag in the 2026 draw, and how that cut has moved since the earliest draw we hold.
- Tags / applicants —
- tags on offer and first-choice applicants for them, as the agency published them. Under five tags we print counts instead of a percentage, because one applicant either way swings it.
What it costs to apply (2026 nonresident fees)
| License | Up front | Gone if you miss | If you draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard license | $867 | $107 | $877 |
| Outfitter license | $867 | $107 | $877 |
Application window: closes Mar 18, 2027 (expected). Full fee breakdown.
The country
Zoomable USGS topo, aerial imagery and shaded relief, with the neighboring areas drawn on.
Boundaries are drawn for orientation only — the written boundary description in the regulations governs.
Who owns the ground
- State land 59,291 ac · 13%
- Tribal 36,870 ac · 8%
- State trust land 3,887 ac · 1%
- BLM 3,865 ac · 1%
- National Forest 610 ac · 0%
- Private or other non-public land 339,109 ac · 76%
Source: BLM_Surface_Management_2023 (BLM New Mexico State Office Surface Management Agency layer)
How the hunting has gone
What New Mexico Department of Game and Fish publishes for this area after each season — harvest statistics for everyone who hunted it, not draw odds and not a forecast.
| Season | Hunters | Harvest | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,239 | 1,254 | 57% |
| 2024 | 1,299 | 1,200 | 56% |
| 2023 | 1,138 | 1,193 | 47% |
| 2022 | 1,312 | 1,213 | 60% |
| 2021 | 1,383 | 1,302 | 63% |
What people carried (2025 harvest)
- Rifle 94 · 81% · 340 hunters, 28% success
- Archery 22 · 19% · 130 hunters, 17% success
What the agency says about the area
GMU 4: Beginning at the junction of the east boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation and the NM/CO state line and running east along the state line to the eastern boundary of the Tierra Amarilla Grant, then south along the east boundary of the Tierra Amarilla Grant and west along its south boundary to its junction with the east boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation,...
Source: NM Game Management Units (NMDGF_Game_Management_Units_I_E__v2_WFL1), layer 0
Boundary: NM Game Management Units (NMDGF_Game_Management_Units_I_E__v2_WFL1), layer 0
Harvest: 2025-2026 Elk Harvest Report
Harvest: 2024-2025 Elk Harvest Report