game management unit · New Mexico Department of Wildlife
GMU 36
New Mexico, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About GMU 36
GMU 36 is a game management unit in New Mexico, United States, set by New Mexico Department of Wildlife. It covers about 2,571 km² (992 mi²). Towns inside it include Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from New Mexico Department of Wildlife's data for the 2026 season. The agency's regulations say which species and seasons use it.
- Unit code
- 36
- Area
- 2,571 km²
- Area (miles)
- 992 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,370 km² of public or protected land inside it, 53% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 03 Southwestern | 608 | 24% |
| Unknown | 397 | 15% |
| Bureau of Land Management | 365 | 14% |
| Unknown | 0.7 | under 1% |
| Village of Ruidoso | 0.5 | under 1% |
| City of Ruidoso Downs | 0.1 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against New Mexico Department of Wildlife's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 4, 2026 | draw source |
| Mule deer | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 11, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 11, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| Mule deer | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 18, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 18, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| Mule deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Nov 28, 2026 to Dec 2, 2026 | antlerless source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Dec 5, 2026 to Dec 9, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 30, 2026 | antlerless source |
| Mule deer | Jan 1, 2027 to Jan 15, 2027 | antlered, archery, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Jan 1, 2027 to Jan 15, 2027 | antlered, archery, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Jan 23, 2027 to Jan 27, 2027 | antlerless, residents, draw source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for GMU 36
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is GMU 36 (game management unit)?
About 2,571 km² (992 mi²), as HuntGrid maps New Mexico Department of Wildlife's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in GMU 36?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,370 km² of public or protected land, 53% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 03 Southwestern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for GMU 36?
This page lists 14 seasons a person has checked against New Mexico Department of Wildlife's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to GMU 36?
In the same unit system: GMU 19, GMU 32, GMU 34, GMU 35 and GMU 37.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Licence: New Mexico Department of Wildlife (published with a no-warranty disclaimer). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with New Mexico Department of Wildlife. The official regulations and maps have the final word.