Marquez/L-Bar Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Marquez/L-Bar Wildlife Management Area is 68,259 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Unit 9, 7 miles from Seboyeta, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting, and 6 of its 2026-27 hunt codes name it (all held only on the WMA). NMDOW's fact sheet: "Hunting is allowed in accordance with the regulations and open seasons in the NMDOW Hunting Rules and Info; Barbary sheep hunting is allowed on the days the property is open to general recreation."
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.
National forestBLMState trust landWildlife Commission landTribal landMarquez/L-Bar WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 68,259 acres (NMDOW map) |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Northwest New Mexico |
| Unit | Unit 9 |
| Open to | hunting and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Camping is not allowed on the WMA; it is day use only, with no campfires. |
| Motor vehicles | Motorized access is not allowed beyond the designated parking areas. |
| Hunt codes that name it, 2026-27 | 6 (6 held only on the WMA) |
| Nearest towns | Seboyeta (7 mi), Moquino (9 mi) and Bibo (10 mi) |
What is Marquez/L-Bar WMA like?
Marquez/L-Bar WMA is reached by an easement road to its southeastern corner, then a trail that starts at the entrance parking area; it can also be reached from the Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. NMDOW's access sheet divides it into upper and lower portions for its closures and names wildlife viewing, photography, hiking and horseback riding as the other activities allowed outside them.
From NMDOW fact sheet for Marquez/L-Bar.
What are the rules on Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
Closures: The WMA is closed during its draw hunts for turkey, deer and elk, except to people holding those draw licenses and their guests. The upper portion is closed to all access November 15 through June 30, and the lower portion November 15 through May 15. It stays open to general recreation during draw bear hunts. Camping: Camping is not allowed on the WMA; it is day use only, with no campfires. Motor vehicles: Motorized access is not allowed beyond the designated parking areas.
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 Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
NMDOW's fact sheet: Hunting is allowed in accordance with the regulations and open seasons in the NMDOW Hunting Rules and Info; Barbary sheep hunting is allowed on the days the property is open to general recreation. The 2026-27 booklet names the WMA in these hunt codes, with each code's newest NMDGF result:
| Hunt code | Species | Where | Weapon | Dates | Bag limit | Licenses | Newest result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELK-2-146 | Elk | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMA only | bow | Sep 1-14 | Either sex (any one elk, includes spike bull) | 15 | 2025-26: 31% success, 4 taken |
| ELK-2-147 | Elk | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMA only | bow | Sep 15-24 | Either sex (any one elk, includes spike bull) | 15 | 2025-26: 15% success, 2 taken |
| ELK-3-148 | Elk | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMA only | muzzleloader | Oct 10-14 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 15 | 2025-26: 24% success, 4 taken |
| ELK-3-149 | Elk | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMA only | muzzleloader | Oct 17-21 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 15 | 2025-26: 57% success, 8 taken |
| ELK-3-150 | Elk | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMA only | muzzleloader | Oct 24-28 | Mature bull. A spike bull is not legal | 15 | 2025-26: 15% success, 2 taken |
| DER-1-165 | Deer | Unit 9, Marquez/LBar WMAs only | any legal weapon | Nov 14-18 | Fork-antlered deer (white-tailed or mule deer) | 10 | 2024-25: 0% success, 0 taken |
Hunts: NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, pages 57 and 78. Results: NMDGF harvest reports.
How do you get to Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
Take I-40 exit 114 at Laguna onto Route 66. Travel 1.4 miles on Route 66 and turn right on NM-279/334. Travel 13.5 miles north on NM-279/334 and turn right onto CR-1. Travel 17.0 miles east on CR-1 and turn right onto the easement access road.
Nearest towns: Seboyeta (7 miles), Moquino (9 miles), Bibo (10 miles) and Paguate (11 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 50,493 acres of other public land, most of it national forest.
Which unit is Marquez/L-Bar WMA in?
All of it is in Unit 9. 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 9 | 68,259 | 26.7% | 11 | 6 | 3 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists Marquez/L-Bar as open to hunting. Its fact sheet says: "Hunting is allowed in accordance with the regulations and open seasons in the NMDOW Hunting Rules and Info; Barbary sheep hunting is allowed on the days the property is open to general recreation." 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 Marquez/L-Bar WMA closed?
The WMA is closed during its draw hunts for turkey, deer and elk, except to people holding those draw licenses and their guests. The upper portion is closed to all access November 15 through June 30, and the lower portion November 15 through May 15. It stays open to general recreation during draw bear hunts. (NMDOW fact sheet for Marquez/L-Bar). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
Camping is not allowed on the WMA; it is day use only, with no campfires. (NMDOW fact sheet for Marquez/L-Bar)
Which unit is Marquez/L-Bar WMA in?
All of Marquez/L-Bar WMA is in Unit 9, by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.
Which hunt codes include Marquez/L-Bar WMA?
NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet names Marquez/L-Bar in ELK-2-146 (elk, Sep 1-14), ELK-2-147 (elk, Sep 15-24), ELK-3-148 (elk, Oct 10-14), ELK-3-149 (elk, Oct 17-21), ELK-3-150 (elk, Oct 24-28) and DER-1-165 (deer, Nov 14-18). Hunts held only on a WMA are for New Mexico residents (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).