Unit 32

Several ridges and hills serve as excellent reference points and glassing stations: Ballard Hill, Sixmile Hill, and the Dunnahoo Hills provide elevation to survey surrounding country. Scattered summits—Round Top, Twin Buttes, Mesita Negra—mark specific locations for navigation and spotting game. Natural drainages like Gallo Canyon, Casey Canyon, and Rocky Draw funnel game movement and provide travel corridors.

The flats—Made Flat, Indian Pasture, and East Red Pasture—are expansive grassland areas where pronghorn and oryx concentrate. These landmarks are spaced generously across the unit, requiring hunters to understand the layout and plan routes accordingly rather than rely on constant terrain variety.

The landscape varies modestly in elevation—starting around 3,300 feet in the lower basins and topping out just above 6,400 feet on scattered ridges and mesas. The vast majority sits below 5,000 feet, meaning sparse forest cover and open grassland and sagebrush dominate the terrain. Low ridges like Ballard Hill and Sixmile Hill rise above surrounding flats, offering vantage points and slightly different vegetation.

These subtle elevation changes create habitat zones: lower basins support pronghorn and oryx, while slightly higher ground and draws can hold mule deer. The exposed, rolling terrain means hunting is visual-based—glassing from ridges and knolls yields better results than sneaking through timber.

With over 4,400 miles of roads crossing the unit, access is fair and distributed, though density metrics aren't available. Roads mean logistics are manageable and supplies accessible, but also indicate that popular water holes and ridges can see other hunters, especially during rifle season. The landscape's scale and relative openness mean pressure often concentrates along main roads and known springs rather than spreading evenly.

Hunting is less about avoiding crowds and more about hunting smarter—finding overlooked water sources or less-obvious ridges pays dividends. Private ranches interspersed throughout the unit mean some areas are off-limits, and boundary respect is essential. Early season and weekday hunting reduce competition in accessible zones.

Unit 32 encompasses southeastern New Mexico east of the Lincoln County boundary, stretching north to De Baca County and bounded on the east by county lines. The unit is truly expansive, covering high desert country dominated by grassland plains punctuated by low mountains and ridges. US 380 forms a southern reference point, while small settlements like Riverside, Dunlap, and Mountain View mark the edges of the landscape.

This is working cattle country interspersed with public land, where ranching traditions run deep. The terrain is relatively open and navigable compared to timbered mountain units further west, though scale and distances between water sources require proper planning.

Water scarcity defines hunting strategy in Unit 32. Springs—Lovelady Springs, Salt Spring, Taiban Spring, Horse Creek Spring, and Sixmile Spring—are the foundation of game distribution, especially during dry months. Small reservoirs and tanks scattered across the unit (Shack Tank, Dagger Tank, Rock House Tank, Made Tank, Duncan Tank) supplement the spring network but aren't reliable year-round. Permanent streams are limited; Sand Creek, Yeso Creek, and Berrendo Creek drain portions of the unit but flow intermittently.

Salt Creek and Painter Jim Creek also exist but are seasonal. The Devils Well and Conejo Basin areas represent notable low spots where water concentrates. Hunters must locate reliable water sources before entering the field—game movement orbits around them.

Unit 32 supports diverse game: mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, elk, mountain and desert sheep, javelina, bear, and introduced species like barbary sheep, ibex, and oryx. The open terrain makes this primarily a glassing and stalking game. Locate water sources first, then glass ridges and surrounding basins during early morning and late afternoon.

Pronghorn and oryx thrive in the open grasslands—expect them in low basins and flats. Mule deer prefer slightly higher ground and canyon country; focus on drainages and ridges. Elk use the unit but concentrate in higher, timbered areas.

Bighorn sheep occupy escarpments and cliff areas; spotting scopes are essential. Spring hunting (March-May) focuses on water; late season (October-November) finds animals more dispersed. Success requires patience, good optics, and willingness to cover distance.