game management unit · New Mexico Department of Wildlife
GMU 53
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 53
GMU 53 is a game management unit in New Mexico, United States, set by New Mexico Department of Wildlife. It covers about 1,773 km² (685 mi²). No town of the HuntGrid list lies inside it; the nearest is Taos, about 0.3 km from its edge.
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
- 53
- Area
- 1,773 km²
- Area (miles)
- 685 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 841 km² of public or protected land inside it, 47% 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 | 644 | 36% |
| Bureau of Land Management | 151 | 9% |
| Unknown | 47 | 3% |
| Town of Taos | 0.1 | under 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 0.1 | under 1% |
| County of Taos | 0.0 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mule deer | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 4, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 4, 2026 | antlered, draw source |
| Bighorn sheep | Nov 1, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026 | males, draw, Rio Grande Gorge, without the part of Unit 53 east of NM 522 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 |
| Elk (wapiti) | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 18, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Nov 21, 2026 to Nov 25, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Nov 28, 2026 to Dec 2, 2026 | antlerless source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 30, 2026 | antlerless 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 53
- 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 53 (game management unit)?
About 1,773 km² (685 mi²), as HuntGrid maps New Mexico Department of Wildlife's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in GMU 53?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 841 km² of public or protected land, 47% 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 53?
This page lists 9 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 53?
In the same unit system: GMU 49, GMU 50 and GMU 55A.
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.