Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area is 31,937 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Units 54 and 55A, next to Ute Park, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting, and 9 of its 2026-27 hunt codes name it (3 held only on the WMA). NMDOW's fact sheet: "Hunting is allowed for deer, elk, bear, and turkey during open seasons and to hunters with valid licenses and permits."
Data updated October 2026. Rules: NMDOW's fact sheet and Commission lands page, read 2026-10-18. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet. Boundary: NMDOW GIS.
Wildlife Commission landColin Neblett WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 31,937 acres (NMDOW map); NMDOW's fact sheet says 33,116 |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Northeast New Mexico |
| Units | Unit 54, Unit 55A |
| Open to | hunting, fishing and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Camping is allowed on the Colin Neblett. There are developed campsites managed by NM State Parks Division in the Cimarron Canyon State Park and adjacent Eagle Nest Lake. Only licensed deer and elk hunters may camp in a designated area in the back country, and only during their deer or elk hunt. Rock Climbing-STRICTLY PROHIBITED. |
| Motor vehicles | Not allowed beyond the roadway and parking area. |
| Hunt codes that name it, 2026-27 | 9 (3 held only on the WMA) |
| Nearest towns | Ute Park (next to it), Eagle Nest (2 mi) and Angel Fire (5 mi) |
What is Colin Neblett WMA like?
This property provides hunting and fishing access and habitat for deer, elk, and other wildlife species. It is one of the largest properties owned by the Department. The Colin Neblett consists of tree covered mountains bisected by the Cimarron River canyon. The Colin Neblett was purchased in 1950-1951.
From NMDOW fact sheet for Colin Neblett.
What are the rules on Colin Neblett WMA?
Closures: The Colin Neblett backcountry including Tolby and Maverick Trails are closed to all entry during deer fawning and elk calving May 15-July 31. Clear Creek Trail remains open May 15-July 31. The backcountry and ALL trails are closed during big game hunts as published in the NM Rules and Info Booklet. Licensed hunters and their hunting party are exempt from closures during their hunt/scouting period. Facili ties-The Colin Neblett has rest rooms, drinking water, developed campsites are available in Cimarron Canyon State Park Fees Hunters and fishen11en must have appropriate licenses and pemuts M to take part in these activities. Wildlife viewers, photographers, lukers, bicyclists, horseback nders, and skiers must have a valid permit or validation with them wlule m the back country of the Colin Neblett. Individuals may also access this WMA with a valid Cimarron State Park entrance permit. Motorized Vehicles-Not allowed beyond the roadway and parking area. Camping: Camping is allowed on the Colin Neblett. There are developed campsites managed by NM State Parks Division in the Cimarron Canyon State Park and adjacent Eagle Nest Lake. Only licensed deer and elk hunters may camp in a designated area in the back country, and only during their deer or elk hunt. Rock Climbing-STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Motor vehicles: Not allowed beyond the roadway and parking area.
Every Commission land needs a Habitat Management and Access Validation and the right license; WMAs are closed to hunting unless NMDOW's booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49). Rules posted on the property also apply.
What can you hunt on Colin Neblett WMA?
NMDOW's fact sheet: Hunting is allowed for deer, elk, bear, and turkey during open seasons and to hunters with valid licenses and permits. The 2026-27 booklet names the WMA in these hunt codes; the ones marked "only" are held on the WMA alone, the others cover the unit around it too, with each code's newest NMDGF result:
| Hunt code | Species | Where | Weapon | Dates | Bag limit | Licenses | Newest result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DER-2-403 | Deer | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA only | bow | Sep 1-24 | Fork-antlered deer (white-tailed or mule deer) | 10 | 2024-25: 20% success, 1 taken |
| ELK-2-425 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | bow | Sep 1-14 | Either sex (any one elk, includes spike bull) | 10 | |
| ELK-2-426 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | bow | Sep 15-24 | Either sex (any one elk, includes spike bull) | 10 | |
| ELK-3-427 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | muzzleloader | Oct 10-14 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 20 | |
| ELK-1-428 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | any legal weapon | Oct 17-21 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 20 | |
| DER-1-401 | Deer | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA only | any legal weapon | Oct 24-28 | Fork-antlered deer (white-tailed or mule deer) | 10 | 2024-25: 29% success, 2 taken |
| ELK-1-429 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | any legal weapon | Oct 24-28 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 20 | |
| DER-1-402 | Deer | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA only | any legal weapon | Oct 31-Nov 4 | Fork-antlered deer (white-tailed or mule deer) | 10 | 2024-25: 29% success, 2 taken |
| ELK-1-430 | Elk | Units 54 and 55A, Colin Neblett WMA | any legal weapon | Nov 7-11 | Antlerless elk | 20 |
Hunts: NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, pages 66 and 90. Results: NMDGF harvest reports.
How do you get to Colin Neblett WMA?
The Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area lies east of the village of Eagle Nest and Eagle Nest Lake in Colfax County. This WMA straddles both the north and south sides of US 64.
Highways within 8 miles: US 64, NM 38, NM 204, NM 434 and NM 127. Nearest towns: Ute Park (next to it), Eagle Nest (2 miles), Angel Fire (5 miles) and Taos Ski Valley (11 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 3,778 acres of other public land, most of it Wildlife Commission land.
Which unit is Colin Neblett WMA in?
It spans Unit 54 (19,486 acres) and Unit 55A (12,451 acres). Each unit's 2026-27 hunt codes and public land, for the whole unit:
| Unit | WMA acres in it | Unit public land | Elk codes | Deer codes | Pronghorn codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 54 | 19,486 | 10.6% | 6 | 9 | 5 |
| Unit 55A | 12,451 | 13.2% | 25 | 14 | 5 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Colin Neblett WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists Colin Neblett as open to hunting. Its fact sheet says: "Hunting is allowed for deer, elk, bear, and turkey during open seasons and to hunters with valid licenses and permits." Hunters need the proper license and the Habitat Management and Access Validation, and all WMAs are closed to hunting unless the booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).
When is Colin Neblett WMA closed?
The Colin Neblett backcountry including Tolby and Maverick Trails are closed to all entry during deer fawning and elk calving May 15-July 31. Clear Creek Trail remains open May 15-July 31. The backcountry and ALL trails are closed during big game hunts as published in the NM Rules and Info Booklet. Licensed hunters and their hunting party are exempt from closures during their hunt/scouting period. Facili ties-The Colin Neblett has rest rooms, drinking water, developed campsites are available in Cimarron Canyon State Park Fees Hunters and fishen11en must have appropriate licenses and pemuts M to take part in these activities. Wildlife viewers, photographers, lukers, bicyclists, horseback nders, and skiers must have a valid permit or validation with them wlule m the back country of the Colin Neblett. Individuals may also access this WMA with a valid Cimarron State Park entrance permit. Motorized Vehicles-Not allowed beyond the roadway and parking area. (NMDOW fact sheet for Colin Neblett). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on Colin Neblett WMA?
Camping is allowed on the Colin Neblett. There are developed campsites managed by NM State Parks Division in the Cimarron Canyon State Park and adjacent Eagle Nest Lake. Only licensed deer and elk hunters may camp in a designated area in the back country, and only during their deer or elk hunt. Rock Climbing-STRICTLY PROHIBITED. (NMDOW fact sheet for Colin Neblett)
Which unit is Colin Neblett WMA in?
Colin Neblett WMA spans Unit 54 (19,486 acres) and Unit 55A (12,451 acres), by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.
Which hunt codes include Colin Neblett WMA?
NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet names Colin Neblett in DER-2-403 (deer, Sep 1-24), ELK-2-425 (elk, Sep 1-14), ELK-2-426 (elk, Sep 15-24), ELK-3-427 (elk, Oct 10-14), ELK-1-428 (elk, Oct 17-21), DER-1-401 (deer, Oct 24-28), ELK-1-429 (elk, Oct 24-28) and DER-1-402 (deer, Oct 31-Nov 4) and 1 more. Hunts held only on a WMA are for New Mexico residents (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).