Landowner Hunting (EPLUS) in New Mexico Explained

LANDOWNER HUNTING (EPLUS—ELK PRIVATE LANDS USE SYSTEM) IN NEW MEXICO EXPLAINED

STORY BY TRAVIS DRISCOLL, BEAVERHEAD RANCH GROUP

Throughout the vast landscapes of New Mexico, you will find big game hunts for trophy bull elk, mule deer, pronghorn and more exotic species including ibex, oryx and Barbary sheep. Elk hunting here is considered world-class with many bull elk harvested each year in the upper 300-inch and lower 400-inch classes.

The diversity of game combined with breathtaking landscapes and friendly cost of ownership make owning a hunting ranch in New Mexico exceptionally attractive to savvy hunters and landowners.

Overview

In this article, I am focusing on how the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) regulates elk hunting and private-land elk authorizations (or “permits) for landowners in the state. Private-land permits for other large game species are often related to the elk permit system’s guidelines but there are units within the state where rules for mule deer, antelope and other big game regulations are more independent.

EPLUS

The Elk Private Lands Use System, better known as EPLUS, is the system NMDGF uses. The EPLUS program was created to help compensate landowners for the stresses and damage that elk can inflict on infrastructure and native feeds. The system leverages the important benefits that private lands contribute to elk populations and hunting opportunities in New Mexico. The program gives hunters and landowners a way to work together to effectively manage and hunt elk on private lands.

According to NMDGF, “Through EPLUS the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish distributes a portion of the State’s elk hunting opportunity to qualifying private landowners. Landowners receive private-land elk authorizations from the Department which can be used by hunters to buy private-land elk licenses.”

Additionally, the NMDGF website states, “Landowners wishing to participate in the EPLUS program must fill out the correct application and adhere to any related application deadlines. Properties which qualify for the EPLUS program and receive private-land elk authorizations may use, sell, barter or trade the elk authorizations to hunters. An elk authorization is then used by the hunter to purchase a private-land elk license.”

How EPLUS Works

NMDGF, through years of study and data collection, has created three different management zones for elk within the state: primary zones, secondary zones and special management zones.

Primary Zones

In these zones, elk management is highly focused. Private-land elk permits are issued to landowners through an acreage-based scoring formula, taking in consideration the quality of the local herd and the feed, cover and water available to the elk on that property.

NMDGF issues private-land elk authorizations to eligible landowners in the primary and special management zones through the EPLUS program. These authorizations can be bartered, sold or traded to hunters. An authorization code is then used by hunters to buy a private-land elk license. These authorizations can be set as ranch-only (valid only on private land) or unit-wide (providing hunting access to public lands within the unit). Unit-wide authorizations are not available in GMUs 4 and 5A; ranches in these units may only receive ranchonly authorizations. If landowners choose to apply for unit-wide authorizations, then they are obligated to let the public hunt their private lands in exchange.

The total number and type of authorizations available to landowners that are within the boundaries of a Primary Management Zone is determined by the percentage of public land to private land.

Once the number of authorizations available to private lands in a unit is determined, ranches will receive individual authorizations based on the percentage of the private land that ranch has within the unit. For example, if a ranch comprises 10% of the private land in the unit, it will receive approximately 10% of the authorizations available. Ranches able to receive at least one whole authorization through this formula are considered Base Ranches.

Small Contributing Ranches within Primary Zones

When a property within a Primary Zone is not large enough to receive at least one whole authorization through the formula, it is considered a Small Contributing Ranch (SCR). SCRs compete for authorizations in a random draw weighted on the ranches’ ranch score.

The number of authorizations available to landowners in these zones is subject to change. Landowners cannot be guaranteed a specific number of authorizations per year. The acreage-based formula used to issue authorizations is described in detail in the EPLUS rule (19.30.5 NMAC).

Secondary Zones

In these zones, NMDGF has not set specific elk management goals and unlimited licenses are available “over the counter” for private land. Private-land elk licenses in these zones are available through a Ranch Code received from a landowner who is registered through the EPLUS program. These authorizations can be bartered, sold or traded to hunters. Secondary Zone authorizations are Ranch-Only permits.

Special Management Zones

In these zones, private-land elk authorizations are issued to private landowners by NMDGF on a ranch-by-ranch basis. The landowners can request the number of permits they feel the property can support and negotiate final authorization numbers with NMDGF.

In Special Management Zones, the authorizations are Ranch-Only, meaning that the animals can only be hunted on the private land or with permission of another landowner on another private property. Landowner authorizations in these zones cannot be used as Unit-Wide tags for hunting on public lands.

New Mexico’s EPLUS system has created a balance between private landowners and public hunters.

The Process

When a buyer purchases an EPLUS-eligible property in New Mexico, it is simple to register for the system. Since the state is divided into three elk management zones, the application and qualifications will differ for landowners depending on which management zone their ranch is located. The first step in the process is identifying which zone your property is located in. An interactive map of the management zones can be found at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/maps/eplus Step two is completing and submitting the appropriate application for your property based on its zone location.

Primary Zone

The Primary Zone application period runs from September through January 5 each year. If NMDGF determines that a property does not qualify to participate in the program, the landowner will be notified. Non-qualifying landowners have the right to request a review of the NMDGF’s decision. Qualifying ranches will be included in the authorization allocation process for the license year in which they applied. Authorizations in the Primary Zone are typically issued in late May.

Most properties we see within a Primary Zone have already been enrolled in EPLUS if they are eligible. If you are interested in a property for hunting, it is important to know and verify what designation and how many authorizations a property has received from EPLUS historically.

While NMDGF does not guarantee the new landowner will receive the same number of permits as the previous owner, in our experience the number of authorizations provided after the transition generally has been consistent with what had been issued previously.

If you are considering a property for hunting within a Primary Zone and it is not currently in EPLUS, we strongly urge you to perform thorough due diligence before purchasing the land. For buyers working with Beaverhead Ranch Group, this is a process in which we can assist.

Secondary Zone

Landowners in a Secondary Zone can enter the EPLUS system any time. There is no set application period or deadline to submit applications.

The first step is creating a customer account through the NMDGF’s Online Licensing System and obtaining a Customer Identification Number (CIN). The CIN is required in the application and allows the NMDGF to link your ranch to your online account where your Secondary Management Zone Ranch Code can be accessed. The second step, once you have your CIN, is completing the Secondary Management Zone Ranch Code Application. After department approval, a Ranch Code will be assigned to the ranch in the Online Licensing System.

Special Management Zone

Although there is no set deadline to submit applications for the Special Zone, applications received after June are not guaranteed to be processed before the start of the elk season. The NMDGF begins processing Special Zone applications in June in the order they are received.

The Special Zone includes all of GMUs 46 and 55A, and GMU 54 west of State Road 199. Accepted ranches will need to contact the NMDGF’s Raton Office to negotiate the number and type of authorizations for the ranch.

In Closing

New Mexico’s EPLUS system has been recognized as one of the best game management programs in the country and has created a balance between private landowners and public hunters. The system has been credited with improving the overall genetics and abundance of trophy elk in the state. Because elk move freely between private and public lands, the effort benefits both private land and public land hunters.

For those looking to buy recreational property in New Mexico for large game hunting, consider working closely with knowledgeable and qualified land brokers from the area. They can help ensure that your expectations will be met and the return on your investment is maximized.