New Mexico
Elk Landowner Tags
How the Elk Tag System Works in New Mexico
There are three different ways to hunt elk in New Mexico. First, you can draw a license in the annual big game draw. Next, you could purchase a private “Ranch Only” elk landowner tag that allows you to hunt that private land only. Or third, you could buy the most popular “Unit-Wide” elk landowner tag that allows you to hunt all of the public land in that unit, the issuing landowner’s private land as well as any other private lands enrolled in the unit-wide system within that hunt unit.
The Department of NM Game & Fish issues elk authorizations to eligible landowners in the through the EPLUS program. These authorizations can then be bartered/traded or sold to buy an elk license. The purchase of a landowner tag is also subject to New Mexico sales tax.
In addition to buying an Elk Landowner Tag, NM requires license fees and stamps as well
In addition to your tag, you will still need to purchase an Elk License, a NM small game license (Res-$29, NonRes-$94), as well as a habitat fee ($10) if hunting National Forest or BLM lands.
New Elk License Costs for 2026
Bull Elk: Res $100, Non-Res $773(S) or $998(HD)
Cow Elk: Res TBD, Non-Res TBD
How much does New Mexico elk landowner tag cost?
Prices for elk landowner tags can vary greatly. In large part, it’s a supply and demand issue. The more that people are competing for tags to hunt in New Mexico, the higher it drives the price. There has been a large jump in tag costs in the last couple of years. Though cow tags can go for much much less, landowner tags for bull elk can currently range anywhere from about $3,000 to $7,000 and even up around $15,000, dependent on the unit quality, availability and demand.