This week on the Out of State Hunter Podcast, host Chad Ryker sits down in Santa Fe with Chad Nelson (Licensing Operations Manager for New Mexico Department of Wildlife) to break down non-resident hunting opportunities in New Mexico and how the 2026 draw works at a high level. They explain New Mexico’s three draw pools (resident, outfitted, and unguided non-resident) and why guided/outfitted applicants typically have better odds than unguided non-residents. The episode covers species-by-species opportunity—highlighting New Mexico’s reputation for trophy elk, solid mule deer and Coues deer potential, plus premium but low-odds hunts for bighorn sheep and pronghorn. They also clarify the E-Plus private-land elk system, including the difference between ranch-only vs unit-wide authorizations and why it can get expensive. For unique “only-in-NM” experiences, they dive into oryx, ibex, and Barbary sheep, with ibex noted as one of the toughest hunts around and Barbary offering accessible OTC options in certain areas. Finally, they stress doing your homework on hunt codes, tag numbers, and deadlines, staying on top of harvest reporting requirements, and watching for potential rule/proclamation changes heading into 2027. Key Takeaways No preference points in New Mexico — every applicant has a true random chance each year. Outfitted pool (10%) usually offers better odds than unguided non-resident (6%), but requires a signed contract and added cost. Avoid party applications, especially when tag numbers are low — it can dramatically hurt your odds. Tag numbers matter — small quotas can make some hunts essentially impossible for non-residents. E-Plus private land elk licenses create opportunity, but prices are set by landowners and can be expensive. New Mexico offers rare, unique hunts like oryx, ibex, and Barbary sheep, with some OTC options available. Do your homework: verify hunt codes, watch deadlines (March 18), complete mandatory harvest reporting, and stay alert for 2027 rule changes. New Mexico Wildlife Website - https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nmdeptwildlife/ Previous Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Bv8ihJiFnn1NmOGEhwC3T?si=IPYnRFq7RVKxrqW3StAKXw Out of State Hunter Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/outofstatehunter/ #outofstatehunter #huntnewmexico #newmexicohunting #elkhunting #huntthewest
