Head Ranch (OG.134): New Mexico Open Gate hunting
Head Ranch (OG.134) is an Open Gate property: 1,351 acres near Fort Sumner in DeBaca County, Unit 40, that NMDOW leases for public dove, quail and pronghorn hunting, on an annual lease that runs to March 31, 2027, by NMDOW's Open Gate table updated 09-15-2026. No fee or extra permission is needed beyond the right license; the property's own rules are posted at its entrance.
Data updated October 2026. Property: NMDOW's Open Gate table, updated 09-15-2026. Boundary: NMDOW GIS. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet.
State trust landHead RanchUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Property | Head Ranch (OG.134) |
|---|---|
| Open for | Dove, Quail, Pronghorn |
| Size | 1,351 acres (NMDOW map) |
| Unit | Unit 40 |
| Near | Fort Sumner, DeBaca County |
| Term | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| NMDOW property map | OG.134 property information and map (PDF) |
What land is around Head Ranch?
Within 3 miles of the property, FilledTag measured 3,471 acres of public land: state trust land 3,095 acres and Bureau of Reclamation 376 acres, from the BLM New Mexico surface management agency map (read 2026-10). Unit 40 as a whole is 10.4% public land.
Which hunts can be used here?
The species NMDOW lists for Head Ranch and the 2026-27 hunt codes valid in its unit:
| Hunt code | Species | Where | Weapon | Dates | Bag limit | Licenses | Who may apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANT-1-209 | Pronghorn | Unit 40 | any legal weapon | Aug 29-31 | A pronghorn with at least one horn longer than its ears | 10 | Any applicant |
| ANT-1-210 | Pronghorn | Unit 40 | any legal weapon | Sep 26-28 | A pronghorn with at least one horn longer than its ears | 5 | mobility impaired only |
| ANT-1-211 | Pronghorn | Unit 40 | any legal weapon | Oct 3-5 | A pronghorn with at least one horn longer than its ears | 10 | Any applicant |
| ANT-2-208 | Pronghorn | Unit 40 | bow | Aug 15-23 | A pronghorn with at least one horn longer than its ears | 5 | Any applicant |
Hunts: NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 103.
How do you get to Head Ranch?
NMDOW's table places it near Fort Sumner in DeBaca County. Highways within 8 miles: US 84 and NM 203. Nearest towns: Lake Sumner (5 miles), Fort Sumner (10 miles) and House (20 miles). NMDOW's property map (PDF) shows the entrance and the boundary.
The rules common to most Open Gate properties are on the Open Gate page.
Questions hunters ask
What is Head Ranch open for?
NMDOW's Open Gate table lists Head Ranch (OG.134) for dove, quail, pronghorn. Only licensed hunters may use it, during the seasons for the species the landowner agreed to.
Do you need permission to use Head Ranch?
No. NMDOW says no fee or special use permit is needed and no extra permission is required, because the landowner is under an Open Gate contract. Each property's rules are posted at its main entrance (NMDOW's Open Gate page).
Which pronghorn hunts are in Unit 40?
NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet lists 4 pronghorn hunt codes valid in Unit 40: ANT-1-209 (Aug 29-31), ANT-1-210 (Sep 26-28), ANT-1-211 (Oct 3-5) and ANT-2-208 (Aug 15-23). A hunt code limited to private land or to drawn hunters says so.