ELK-1-177: elk hunt in Unit 4 (Rio Chama WMA only), Nov 14-18
ELK-1-177 is a 2026-27 New Mexico draw hunt for an antlerless elk with any legal weapon in Unit 4, Rio Chama WMA only, November 14 to 18, with 20 licenses (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 76). In the 2026 draw, 29 applicants chose it first and 6 of them drew it (NMDOW 2026 drawing report). In 2025-26, NMDGF reports 20 licenses sold, 16 hunters reporting, a 38% success rate, 0 bulls and 6 cows taken.
Data updated October 2026. Hunt: NMDOW's 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 76. Draw: NMDOW's 2026 and 2025 drawing reports. Results: NMDGF harvest reports.
National forestBLMState trust landWildlife Commission landState parkTribal landUnit 4Neighboring unitsLake or riverHighway
| Species and bag | Elk: Antlerless elk |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Any legal weapon |
| Dates | November 14 to 18 (2026-27) |
| Unit | Unit 4 |
| Licenses | 20 (drawn) |
| Who may apply | residents only |
| First-choice applicants, 2026 | 29 (6 drew on first choice) |
| Result, 2025-26 | 38% success, 0 bulls, 6 cows |
| Public land in the hunt's units | 11.7% |
How many hunters applied for ELK-1-177?
29 applicants chose ELK-1-177 first in the 2026 draw and 6 drew it on that choice, 20.7% of them. 20 of the 20 licenses were drawn in all. In 2025: 18 first-choice applicants and 8 drawn on first choice. These are NMDOW's results for those draws, not a forecast.
| Pool, 2026 | First choice | Second choice | Third choice | Drawn on first choice | Drawn in all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 29 | 37 | 59 | 6 | 20 |
| Nonresidents without an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Applicants with an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All applicants | 29 | 37 | 59 | 6 | 20 |
| Pool, 2025 | First choice | Second choice | Third choice | Drawn on first choice | Drawn in all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 18 | 36 | 45 | 8 | 20 |
| Nonresidents without an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Applicants with an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All applicants | 18 | 36 | 45 | 8 | 20 |
Source: NMDOW 2026 big game drawing report and NMDOW 2025 big game drawing report.
Where is ELK-1-177 held?
ELK-1-177 is held on Rio Chama WMA, 13,080 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Units 4 and 51B, 4 miles from Tierra Amarilla. NMDOW's fact sheet on camping: Allowed in designated areas Memorial Day weekend-November 15. Licensed hunters may camp during their hunt. Closures: GAIN activities (wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, camping, etc.) and most access is prohibited during published deer and elk hunts and from November 16 -Memorial Day weekend.
How did hunters do on ELK-1-177?
NMDGF's results for ELK-1-177, season by season, for every season it reported this code in the same units. The newest success rate is 38% (2025-26), from 16 hunters reporting. Licenses sold went from 20 in 2023-24 to 20 in 2025-26.
| Season | Bag | Dates | Licenses sold | Hunters reporting | Success rate | Bulls | Cows | Days hunted, average | Hunter satisfaction, 1 to 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | A | Nov 8-12 | 20 | 16 | 38% | 0 | 6 | 2.85 | 3.77 |
| 2024-25 | A | Nov 9-13 | 20 | 18 | 54% | 0 | 8 | 3.23 | 3.92 |
| 2023-24 | A | Nov 11-15 | 20 | 20 | 25% | 0 | 4 | 3.56 | 3 |
Source: NMDGF 2025-26 elk harvest report, NMDGF 2024-25 elk harvest report and NMDGF 2023-24 elk harvest report and earlier NMDOW elk harvest reports.
How does ELK-1-177 compare with the other Unit 4 elk hunts?
ELK-1-177 is one of 15 elk hunt codes NMDOW lists for Unit 4 in 2026-27. In the 2026 draw it had the 11th most first-choice applicants of the 15 drawn ones (29). Its 2025-26 success rate, 38%, was the 13th highest of the 15 codes NMDGF reported there that season. Unit 4 elk hunts has all of them side by side, with the area's harvest by season. The hunt's units are 11.7% public land (51,905 acres).
Questions hunters ask
How many licenses does ELK-1-177 have?
NMDOW lists 20 licenses for ELK-1-177 in 2026-27 (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 76). NMDGF's 2024-25 report shows 20 sold.
What is the success rate for ELK-1-177?
NMDGF's 2025-26 harvest report gives ELK-1-177 a 38% success rate, from 16 hunters reporting. Over the 3 seasons NMDGF reported it, the rate ran from 25% to 54%.
How many people applied for ELK-1-177 in 2026?
125 applicants listed ELK-1-177 as a first, second or third choice in the 2026 draw; 29 chose it first and 6 of those drew it, 20.7% of first-choice applicants (NMDOW 2026 drawing report). In 2025, 18 chose it first.
Can nonresidents apply for ELK-1-177?
No. ELK-1-177 is for New Mexico residents only (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 76).