ELK-2-434: elk hunt in Unit 55A (Urraca WMA only), Sep 1-14
ELK-2-434 is a 2026-27 New Mexico draw hunt for an elk of either sex with a bow in Unit 55A, Urraca WMA only, September 1 to 14, with 5 licenses (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 90). In the 2026 draw, 8 applicants chose it first and 5 of them drew it (NMDOW 2026 drawing report). In 2025-26, NMDGF reports 5 licenses sold, 4 hunters reporting, a 50% success rate, 3 bulls and 0 cows taken.
Data updated October 2026. Hunt: NMDOW's 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 90. Draw: NMDOW's 2026 and 2025 drawing reports. Results: NMDGF harvest reports.
National forestWildlife Commission landTribal landUnit 55ANeighboring unitsLake or riverHighway
| Species and bag | Elk: Either sex (any one elk, includes spike bull) |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Bow |
| Dates | September 1 to 14 (2026-27) |
| Unit | Unit 55A |
| Licenses | 5 (drawn) |
| Who may apply | residents only |
| First-choice applicants, 2026 | 8 (5 drew on first choice) |
| Result, 2025-26 | 50% success, 3 bulls, 0 cows |
| Public land in the hunt's units | 13.2% |
How many hunters applied for ELK-2-434?
8 applicants chose ELK-2-434 first in the 2026 draw and 5 drew it on that choice, 62.5% of them. 5 of the 5 licenses were drawn in all. In 2025: 9 first-choice applicants and 1 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 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Nonresidents without an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Applicants with an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All applicants | 8 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Pool, 2025 | First choice | Second choice | Third choice | Drawn on first choice | Drawn in all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residents | 9 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Nonresidents without an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Applicants with an outfitter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All applicants | 9 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Source: NMDOW 2026 big game drawing report and NMDOW 2025 big game drawing report.
Where is ELK-2-434 held?
ELK-2-434 is held on Urraca WMA, 13,303 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Unit 55A, 5 miles from Costilla. NMDOW's fact sheet on camping: Allowed only by licensed hunters in designated areas and only during their hunt. Closures: Urraca is closed to all access December 15-March 31 and again from May 15-June 30.
How did hunters do on ELK-2-434?
NMDGF's results for ELK-2-434, season by season, for every season it reported this code in the same units. The newest success rate is 50% (2025-26), from 4 hunters reporting. Licenses sold went from 5 in 2023-24 to 5 in 2025-26.
| Season | Bag | Dates | Licenses sold | Hunters reporting | Success rate | Bulls | Cows | Days hunted, average | Hunter satisfaction, 1 to 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | ES | Sept 1-14 | 5 | 4 | 50% | 3 | 0 | 7.75 | 4.5 |
| 2024-25 | ES | Sept 1-14 | 5 | 5 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 10.25 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | ES | Sept 1-14 | 5 | 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2.75 |
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-2-434 compare with the other Unit 55A elk hunts?
ELK-2-434 is one of 19 elk hunt codes NMDOW lists for Unit 55A in 2026-27. In the 2026 draw it had the 16th most first-choice applicants of the 19 drawn ones (8). Its 2025-26 success rate, 50%, was the 2nd highest of the 19 codes NMDGF reported there that season. Unit 55A elk hunts has all of them side by side, with the area's harvest by season. The hunt's units are 13.2% public land (132,899 acres).
Questions hunters ask
How many licenses does ELK-2-434 have?
NMDOW lists 5 licenses for ELK-2-434 in 2026-27 (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 90). NMDGF's 2024-25 report shows 5 sold.
What is the success rate for ELK-2-434?
NMDGF's 2025-26 harvest report gives ELK-2-434 a 50% success rate, from 4 hunters reporting. Over the 3 seasons NMDGF reported it, the rate ran from 25% to 50%.
How many people applied for ELK-2-434 in 2026?
16 applicants listed ELK-2-434 as a first, second or third choice in the 2026 draw; 8 chose it first and 5 of those drew it, 62.5% of first-choice applicants (NMDOW 2026 drawing report). In 2025, 9 chose it first.
Can nonresidents apply for ELK-2-434?
No. ELK-2-434 is for New Mexico residents only (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 90).