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Colorado limits deer tags for each hunter by classifying licenses as either List A, B or C. As a general rule you can get two tags: either one List A and one List B tag or two List B tags. You cannot get two List A tags, nor can you get one List A and two List B.

Because of the enormous size of the elk herd, the world-class landscape, and the small number of hunters allowed in, Valles Caldera hosts some of the most sought-after public-land elk hunts in New Mexico, perhaps in the nation.

Located in the top trophy elk-producing county (Catron) from 2000 to 2009, the areas within the Gila National Forest consistently produce the best bulls in New Mexico. Any of the "16" areas have the potential to produce a trophy, but according to "Eastman's Hunting Journal," the top areas are 16A, 16C and 16D.

The new system provides preference for youth hunters. Youth hunters have 100% preference in the secondary draw.The secondary draw processes all youth application choices prior to processing adult choices. A hunt could be completely drawn by youth before the adult application stage of the draw.

Qualifying Licenses (available for purchase March 1) Limited licenses (available through an application & draw processes in March and June) Leftover Limited Licenses (available in early August) Over-the-counter licenses (available in early August)

Each year, a hunter who is unsuccessful in drawing a tag for a particular species receives a bonus point for that animal. The next year, that hunter's name goes into the drawing an additional time for each bonus point they've accumulated. For example, a hunter with one bonus point gets two chances to draw a tag.

South central New Mexico is home to some of the states best elk hunting with units 34 & 36 leading the way. The two units have been consistent producers of quality bulls (300+) with truly giant bulls (370+) being taken out of both units every year.