2022 Report

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Today, elk are by far the most valuable big game in New Mexico, filling residents’ freezers and bringing in millions of dollars in revenue to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 
 
But the allocation of elk tags is a touchy subject in our state. Many public draw hunters know how hard it is to draw a tag. Even though roughly 22,000 tags a year go into the draw, there simply aren’t enough to meet demand.
At the same time, however, private landowners are given nearly 14,000 tags through the program known as EPLUS – the Elk Private Land Use System. Through this program authorizations are given to landowners, most of whom sell the authorizations to the highest bidder. 
 
According to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, wildlife is a public resource that belongs to all and is open to all, with no special priority given to status, income or occupation. However, on the private market, elk tags are sold for an average of $900 for cows, $6600 for bulls - often exceeding $15,000 for a bull tag. Tag prices have greatly increased over time, leaving most New Mexicans unable to compete in the private tag market.
Based on the most recent data from New Mexico Game and Fish Department license sales in 2021, we compiled a comprehensive report. The numbers tell a powerful story of a system in dire need of reform.

The results show a system in dire need of reform.