Weatherby Ranch (OG.155): New Mexico Open Gate hunting
Weatherby Ranch (OG.155) is an Open Gate property: 3,199 acres near Cotton City in Hidalgo County, Unit 27, that NMDOW leases for public dove, quail, sandhill crane, javelina, deer (draw hunters only), cougar, bighorn sheep and furbearer trapping, 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.
BLMState trust landWeatherby RanchUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Property | Weatherby Ranch (OG.155) |
|---|---|
| Open for | Dove, Quail, Sandhill Crane, Javelina, Deer (Draw Hunters Only), Cougar, Bighorn Sheep, Furbearer Trapping |
| Size | 3,199 acres (NMDOW map) |
| Unit | Unit 27 |
| Near | Cotton City, Hidalgo County |
| Term | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| NMDOW property map | OG.155 property information and map (PDF) |
What land is around Weatherby Ranch?
Within 3 miles of the property, FilledTag measured 31,454 acres of public land: BLM 22,984 acres and state trust land 8,470 acres, from the BLM New Mexico surface management agency map (read 2026-10). Unit 27 as a whole is 67.5% public land.
Which hunts can be used here?
The species NMDOW lists for Weatherby Ranch and the 2026-27 hunt codes valid in its unit:
| Hunt code | Species | Where | Weapon | Dates | Bag limit | Licenses | Who may apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DER-1-276 | Deer | Unit 27 | any legal weapon | Nov 7-11 | Fork-antlered mule deer | 50 | Any applicant |
| DER-1-277 | Deer | Unit 27 | any legal weapon | Nov 14-18 | Fork-antlered mule deer | 50 | Any applicant |
| DER-1-278 | Deer | Unit 27 | any legal weapon | Nov 21-25 | Fork-antlered white-tailed deer | 40 | Any applicant |
| DER-1-279 | Deer | Unit 27 | any legal weapon | Nov 21-29 | Fork-antlered deer (white-tailed or mule deer) | 25 | youth only |
| DER-1-280 | Deer | Unit 27 | any legal weapon | Dec 5-13 | Fork-antlered white-tailed deer | 25 | Any applicant |
| DER-2-281 | Deer | Unit 27 | bow | Sep 1-24 | Fork-antlered mule deer | 30 | Any applicant |
| DER-2-282 | Deer | Unit 27 | bow | Sep 1-24 | Fork-antlered white-tailed deer | 15 | Any applicant |
| DER-2-283 | Deer | Unit 27 | bow | Jan 1-15 | Fork-antlered mule deer | 30 | Any applicant |
| DER-2-284 | Deer | Unit 27 | bow | Jan 16-31 | Fork-antlered white-tailed deer | 40 | Any applicant |
| DER-3-285 | Deer | Unit 27 | muzzleloader | Oct 31-Nov 4 | Fork-antlered mule deer | 40 | Any applicant |
| DER-3-286 | Deer | Unit 27 | muzzleloader | Oct 31-Nov 4 | Fork-antlered white-tailed deer | 50 | Any applicant |
| BHS-1-204 | Bighorn Sheep | Units 13, 17, 19, 20, 26 and 27, the Ladrones, San Andres, Caballos, Fra Cristobal, Little Hatchets, Big Hatchets and Peloncillos herds | any legal weapon | Sep 11-Jan 3 | Any male bighorn sheep | 24 | Any applicant |
Hunts: NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, pages 61, 62 and 108. NMDOW lists deer on this property for drawn hunters only.
How do you get to Weatherby Ranch?
NMDOW's table places it near Cotton City in Hidalgo County. Highways within 8 miles: NM 80, NM 338, NM 9 and NM 145. Nearest towns: Cotton City (3 miles), Animas (7 miles) and Rodeo (13 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 Weatherby Ranch open for?
NMDOW's Open Gate table lists Weatherby Ranch (OG.155) for dove, quail, sandhill crane, javelina, deer (draw hunters only), cougar, bighorn sheep, furbearer trapping. Only licensed hunters may use it, during the seasons for the species the landowner agreed to.
Do you need permission to use Weatherby 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 deer and bighorn sheep hunts are in Unit 27?
NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet lists 12 deer and bighorn sheep hunt codes valid in Unit 27: DER-1-276 (Nov 7-11), DER-1-277 (Nov 14-18), DER-1-278 (Nov 21-25), DER-1-279 (Nov 21-29), DER-1-280 (Dec 5-13) and DER-2-281 (Sep 1-24) and 6 more. A hunt code limited to private land or to drawn hunters says so.